VIESKENAWITCH

VIESKENAWITCH, a Russian adventurer, who, after several years of brigandage, escaped to Persia and took up service under Shah Abbas Mirza. He had attained the rank of colonel when he resigned and travelling through Central Asia, reached Peshawar in January 1829. Here he was employed by Pir Muhammad Khan Barakzai to train his artillery. In March 1830, he came to Lahore and entered Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s service as a battalion commander, under Gulab Singh, then serving in Hazara and Kashmir. In April 1835, he resigned and proceeded to Gwalior.

References :

1. Grey, C., and Garrett, H.L.O., European Adventurers of Northern India. Lahore, 1929