Why did Sir Richard Burton’s investigation in Karachi damage his military career?

Sir Richard Burton’s investigation into homosexual brothels in Karachi, commissioned by Sir Charles James Napier in 1845, damaged his military career due to the explicit nature of his findings. While the report successfully led to the destruction of the brothels, it became a liability after Napier’s departure from the region.

An unfriendly officer, seeking to have Burton dismissed in disgrace, forwarded the explicit report to authorities in Bombay. Although the attempt to have him fired failed, the scandal irreparably clouded Burton’s reputation within the military establishment. Feeling his career prospects were ruined, a disillusioned and ill Burton eventually returned to England.1