in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, Urdu instead of Hindi was chosen to replace Persian. In 1835, William Henry Sleeman captured "Feringhea" in his efforts to suppress the Thuggee secret society. Sleeman's work led to his appointment as General Superintendent of the operations for the Suppression of Thuggee. In February 1839, he assumed charge of the office of Commissioner for the Suppression of Thuggee and Dacoity. During these operations, more than 1400 Thugs were hanged or transported for life. Western Asia 1831 – Muhammad Ali of Egypt's French-trained forces occupy Syria. May 10, 1832 – The Egyptians, aided by Maronites, seize Acre from the Ottoman Empire after a 7-month siege. December 21, 1832 – Battle of Konya: The Egyptians defeat the main Ottoman army in central Anatolia. September 1, 1836 – Rebuilding begins at the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem. January 19, 1839 – The British East India Company captures Aden. July 23, 1839 – First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839 – Battle of Ghazni: British forces capture the fortress city of Ghazni, Afghanistan. Eastern Europe Poland November 29, 1830 – The Polish insurrection begins in Warsaw against Russian rule. February 20, 1831 – Battle of Grochow: Polish rebel forces divide a Russian army. May 26, 1831 – Battle of Ostrołęka: The Poles fight another indecisive battle. September 6 – September 8, 1831 – Battle of Warsaw: The Russians take the Polish capital and crush resistance. Northern Europe United Kingdom Royalty In 1830, William IV succeeded his brother George IV as King of the United Kingdom. Upon his death in 1837, his 18-year-old niece Queen Victoria acceded to the throne. where she would reign for more than 63 years. Under Salic law, the Kingdom of Hanover passed to William's brother, Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, ending the personal union of Britain and Hanover which had persisted since 1714. Queen Victoria took up residence in Buckingham Palace, the first reigning British monarch to make this, rather than St James's Palace, her London home. Politics and law Britain had four prime ministers during the 1830s. As the decade began, Tory Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington led parliament. Wellington's government fell in late 1830, failing to react to calls for reform. The Whigs selected Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey to succeed him, who led passage of many reforms, including the Reform Act 1832, the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 (abolishing slavery throughout the British