'Napoleon Bonaparte' by K.J.S.Chatrath

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Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was the great French hero who said that 'impossible is a word found in the dictionary of fools.' He was born in Corsica in 1769. By the age of 24, he was a General. Egyptian Campaign: He was affectionately called 'the little corporal' by his fellow armymen.His Egyptian campaign in early 1797 gave evidence of the brilliance of his military strategy. After his victory over the Egyptian forces in the Battle of the Pyramids, he defeated a joint British and Turkish force even though out numbered. The French occupation of Egypt lasted for four years. During this short period, he reorganised the laws and administration of Egypt. This had a long term impact on the presence of French language and culture, not only in Egypt, but also in the Middle East as a whole. He later remodelled the local governments in France on the lines of central government. He is reported to have said 'I am the Revolution'. He conquered most of Europe between 1797 to 1814. In 1804, he was crowned Emperor by Pope Pius VII in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It would be of interest for Indians to know that he instituted the first Sanskrit Chair in Europe in Paris in 1814. He also founded an imperial university.

A Napoleon plate in the Gwalior Palace Museum, India. Attack on Russia: He attacked Russia and his armies reached near Moscow in 1812. He lost 500,000 soldiers and from this point his decline started. He was first exiled to the Isle of Elba from where he magnificently battled his way back across France; only to be defeated at Waterloo and permanently imprisoned on Saint Helena island in 1815. Marriages: He was married to Josphine but this marriage did not produce any issue. He got this marriage anulled and in 1810 wed the Archduchess Marie-Louise, daughter of the Austrian Emperor. Contributions: Napoleon's contributions in every sphere of French life were remarkable. It was he who divided the entire country into Academies, each governed by a Recteur, nominated by, and responsible to, the central authority on all matters concerning education in his Academy. His basic contribution, however, was more administrative than educational as he extended the authority of the national government to every aspect of activity throughout the country. He changed the old legal system and replaced it with the Napoleonic Code which was based partly on the Roman Law. It goes to the credit of the thoroughness of Napoleon that this Code has till now remained in place, albeit with some changes. He created the Bank of France. He re-established relations with the Catholic Church through the Concordat of 1801. He placed the elementary education once again in the hands of the Church. It appears that Napoleon was perhaps more interested in the secondary education and the training of the civil servants. For this he set up lycees and other institutions of higher learning. It is a recorded fact that his wedding gifts to his second wife included 17 exotic Indian shawls woven in Kashmir. An article published about ten years back by Dr. Thomas Hindmarsh of University of Ottawa & Dr. Philip Corso of University of Yale raised a controversy regarding the cause of Napoleon's death. According to these doctors, Napoleon died on 15th May 1821 as a result of an overdose of laxative administered to him by a British doctor. He lies buried in Les Invalides in Paris.

Les Invalides, Paris (Source of this photo:Wikipedia) ...