James Baillie Fraser was a Scottish travel writer, and artist who illustrated and wrote about Asia Minor, Iran, Kurdistan and India. Some of his watercolours made in the picturesque style represent early views of India and Persia.

Colonel James Skinner was an Anglo-Indian military adventurer and soldier of the East India Company of British India. Prior to this he also served briefly as a mercenary in the Maratha Army. He became known as Sikandar Sahib later in life and is most known for two cavalry regiments he raised for the British at Hansi in 1803, known as 1st Skinner's Horse and 3rd Skinner's Horse, which are still units of the Indian Army.