James Skinner (East India Company officer)

James Skinner (1778-1841), also known as Sikandar Sahib, was an Anglo-Indian military adventurer and officer in the service of first the Maratha Confederacy and subsequently the British East India Company.

Skinner was born in Calcutta, the son of a Scottish soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel Hercules Skinner, and an Indian Rajput mother. Due to his mixed parentage, he faced social exclusion from both the British and Indian communities. He began his military career in the service of the Maratha prince, Daulat Rao Scindia, eventually commanding a large body of irregular cavalry known as "Skinner's Horse". He was known for his bravery, military skill, and loyalty to his troops.

When war broke out between the British East India Company and the Marathas in 1803 (the Second Anglo-Maratha War), Skinner found himself in a difficult position. His loyalty to his Maratha employers conflicted with his British heritage. Ultimately, he chose to side with the British and defected, bringing a portion of his cavalry with him.

Skinner's intimate knowledge of Maratha tactics and terrain proved invaluable to the British. He was granted a commission in the East India Company's army and authorized to raise two regiments of irregular cavalry, which became the famous 1st and 3rd Skinner's Horse (later amalgamated). Skinner commanded these regiments with distinction, participating in numerous campaigns across India. He was known for his paternalistic relationship with his men, providing them with housing, education, and medical care.

Beyond his military career, Skinner was a significant landowner and builder. He commissioned the construction of several churches and temples, reflecting his syncretic religious beliefs and respect for diverse faiths. His most notable architectural legacy is the St. James' Church in Delhi, which he built in gratitude for surviving a near-fatal battle.

James Skinner died in Hansi in 1841 and was buried in St. James' Church, Delhi. He is remembered as a complex and fascinating figure, embodying the cultural and political complexities of British India. His legacy endures through Skinner's Horse, a still-active regiment of the Indian Army, and the architectural monuments he commissioned.