He became a writer (clerk) in the Bengal civil service in 1844 and was an official under the East India Company and the British Raj for the rest of his career.

He served as assistant to the Commissioner of the Sutlej states, and later as settlement officer of the Lahore division.

Transferring to Oudh State, he was Chief Commissioner there from 1868 until 1871 (having acted in the post 1865–66), then became Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab in 1871, serving until 1877.

After his return to the United Kingdom, he was a member of the Council of India, based in London, from 1885 until 1895, when he retired.

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