BIRD, James. 1797 — Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire 10.7.1864. British Physician in India interested in Archaeology. Educated from 1810 at King’s College, Aberdeen, M.A. 1814, then at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals. Dr. med. From 1818 served in Bombay Presidency, first as assistant surgeon. In 1826-32 residency surgeon at Sattara, 1840-43 superintending surgeon of Belgaum division of army, 1843-44 of Presidency division, 1844-47 physician general to Bombay medical board. In 1847 retired and returned to the U.K. In 1844-47 he was secretary to the Bombay Asiatic Society.
Publications: Medical works, i.al. on cholera 1849.
– “Opening of the Topes at the caves of Kanari, Near Bombay, and the Relics found in them”, JASB 10:1, 1841, 94-98; “Observations on the Bactrian and Mithraic Coins, in the Cabinet of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society”, JBRAS 1:6, 1843, 293-302, 1 pl. (Mithraic = Kushān); with N. L. Westergaard: “A brief account of the Minor Bauddha Caves of Beira and Bajah, in the neighbourhood of Karli”, JBRAS 1:7, 1844, 438-443, 2 pl.; a few short notes.
– Historical researches on the origin and principles of the Bauddha and Jaina religions. 22 p. 54 pl. Bombay 1847 (in JBRAS 2:1, 1844, 71-108 and sep.; with cave inscriptions translated); with B. G. Shastree: “Two Ancient Inscriptions, in the Cave character, and Sanskrit Language, which engraved on Copper plates, and translated in English by BGS, with remarks by JB…”, JBRAS 2:1, 1844, 1-12.
– The political and statistical History of Gujarát, transl. of the Persian of Alí Mohammed Khán, the revenue minister of the province. 427 p. L. 1835.
Sources: Windisch, Nachlass 2, 3; brief note in Buckland, Dictionary; Boase, Modern Engl. Biogr. in Br. Biogr. Arch.; not in the D.N.B.
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