His mathematical skills landed him with the Great Trigonometric Survey where he was engaged in triangulation of the great longitudinal series until 1857, when he was diverted to garrison duties during the Indian Mutiny.
As a result of his exceptional mathematical talents, he was recruited by the Great Trigonometric Survey, where he worked on the triangulation project from 1850 to 1857. However, due to the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, he was temporarily transferred to garrison duties.