Richard Burn (Indologist)

Richard Burn (1871-1947) was a British civil servant and historian specializing in Indian history, particularly the Mughal period and related numismatics. He served in the Indian Civil Service (ICS) from 1892 until his retirement in 1926, holding various administrative positions within the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).

Burn is best known for his contributions to the Cambridge History of India, serving as the editor and a major contributor to Volume IV, "The Mughal Period (1494–1757)". This volume remains a significant resource for scholars of Mughal India. He also authored several other books and articles on Indian history, land revenue systems, and the history of coinage in India.

His expertise in numismatics led him to compile catalogs of Indian coins, including those housed in the collections of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. His work on coin identification and analysis was considered meticulous and influential. Burn also served as the editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. His commitment to scholarship and his practical experience in the Indian administration provided a valuable combination that informed his historical analyses.