Henry Edward Goldsmid

Indian civil servant; born in London May 9, 1812; died at Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 3, 1855. He entered the service of the East India Company in 1832, and three years later became assistant revenue commissioner for Bombay. While occupying this post he devised therevenue survey and assessment system, Puna being included in its organization. "Goldsmid's Survey," as it was called, was a great boon to the poor agriculturists of the presidency; and it was permanently established by the Bombay legislature in 1865. It was incorporated in the Bombay revenue code of 1879, and was also adopted by the Berars and the native state of Mysore.

Goldsmid's health broke down owing to his incessant labors; and after holding the positions of private secretary and chief secretary to the governor of Bombay, he went to Cairo, where he died. Ten years later a memorial rest-house was erected by public subscription at Decksal, near the place where Goldsmid's survey had commenced.

Bibliography: Young Israel, i., No. 10.