James Burnes

James Burnes, Freiherr Burnes de Montrose (12 February 1801–19 September 1862) was a Scottish medical doctor and surgeon in India, who became physician-general of Bombay.

Life Burnes was born on 12 February 1801 at Montrose, where his father James Burnes was Provost. He was a medical student at Edinburgh University, and London's Guy's Hospital and St Thomas's Hospital.

Burnes arrived in 1821 at Bombay, with his brother Alexander Burnes. After taking minor posts in the medical service, he was successful in the open competition for the office of surgeon to the residency of Cutch State, quite recently in the hands of the East India Company. The state was led by Deshalji II, a minor, and there was an incursion from Sindh that forced the British brigade to retire to Bhuj. Burnes accompanied, as a volunteer, the field force which in 1825 expelled the Sindians. He moved to London, England, and died there on 19 September 1862.

Freemasonry Burnes became a Freemason in an English Lodge: Benevolent Lodge, No. 480, in 1828, (Bombay, [Mumbai] India). That Lodge no longer exists. When in Scotland in 1834, he was made an honorary member of Lodge St Peter, No. 120, (Montrose). On 30 April 1835 he was made an honorary member of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2, (Edinburgh).

In 1836 he was appointed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to be the Provincial Grand Master of Western India. His jurisdiction was later extended and he became Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India. During his term in office two Scottish Masonic Lodges were established. After he had reestablish lodge Perseverance no. 338 SC which was the oldest lodge in Bombay under the EC as no. 818. He first joined the lodge when he reached India after his brothers death. He was the RWM of the lodge two times and during his time as the Grand Master. Later he started 2 lodges by the name of Rising Star of Western India, No. 342, (Bombay) and the other, St Andrew-in-the-East, No. 343, (Poona, India). Both were granted Charters by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on 18 November 1844. He also started the chapter Perseverance no.71 now known as chapter Independence and Perseverance No.71 SC, This is the oldest premier Chapter in India. He started Holy Royal Arch and other order including MMM/ RAM / Red Cross of babylon/ Cryptic degrees. Establishing with fortitude the oldest lodge and chapter in India.

Works

A narrative of his visit to Sindh, sent in by Burnes as an official report to the resident at Cutch, was a contribution to the geography of India. It was published in book form, as Narrative of a Visit to Scinde, in 1830. He wrote also a Sketch of the History of Cutch (lithographed for private circulation, 1829), and a Sketch of the history of the Knights Templar. Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order (KH)