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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive biographical sketch of Sir George Roos-Keppel (1866–1921), a distinguished British administrator, soldier, and orientalist who played a pivotal role in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) during the British colonial era in India. As Chief Commissioner and later as the first Governor of NWFP, Roos-Keppel’s career was marked by his deep engagement with the Pashtun people, his linguistic and cultural insights, and his strategic contributions to colonial governance. The role which he played in the Bazar Valley Campaign against the Afridis clan Zakka Khel in 1908, the Government awarded him with the dignity of K.C.I.E (Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire), and with the Swedish Military Order of the Sward. In 1908, the first Chief Commissioner Herold Deane lost the value of performance in the eye of Johan Morley the Viceroy of India and at the same time in spring 1908, his health also drastically fall and this may be the reason that the Frontier tribes created problems in 1907-08. The study traces his early military career, administrative advancements, and his instrumental role in shaping educational reforms, including the establishment of Islamia College Peshawar in 1913. Both Morley and Minto were willing to reward Roos-Keppel, due to his past services in the Kurram and Khyber Agencies, especially of his role during the Zakka Khel expedition of 1907-08. Emphasis is placed on his efforts to bridge cultural and political gaps between the British authorities and the local Pashtun tribes, highlighting his mastery of Pashto and his authorship of several works on Pashto grammar and literature. Through historical records, personal correspondences, and contemporary analyses, the paper explores Roos-Keppel’s legacy not only as a colonial officer but also as an advocate of education and intercultural dialogue. The study concludes by assessing the lasting impact of his policies and initiatives on the socio-political and educational landscape of the region.