Robert Lindsay (1754–1836) was a Scottish colonial official and businessman who served as supervisor of Sylhet in British India from 1778 until 1787, and then as district collector from 1787 until 1790.
Biography
According to Assam District Gazetteers, vol. 10, Lindsay was "largely interested in the business, and describes the sources of his wealth in most poetic terms. 'The chunam or lime rock is washed by the rapid stream. A magnificent cataract was seen rolling over the adjoining precipice, the scenery altogether was truly sublime. The mountain was composed of the purest alabaster lime, and appeared in quantity equal to the supply of the whole world'." The book later states, "Mr. Lindsay's business experienced some vicissitudes owing to the violent conduct of the Khasi chiefs, but lime no doubt contributed largely to the fortune that he was able to accumulate in Sylhet.
On his return to the United Kingdom, Lindsay bought a large estate in Scotland. He died in 1836.