Rambles And Recollections Of An Indian Official1809-1850

This book has been scarce and difficult to procure for many years past. Among the crowd of books descriptive of Indian scenery, manners, and customs, the sterling merits of the author?s work have secured it preeminence, and kept it in constant demand, notwithstanding the lapse of nearly fifty years since its publication. It would be difficult to name any other book so full of instruction for the young AngloIndian administrator. When this work was published in 1844 the author had thirtyfive years’ varied experience of Indian life, and had accumulated and assimilated an immense store of knowledge concerning the history, manners, and modes of thought of the complex population of India. This work is full of observations on the people, their rituals, their religion and mythology, the local and area politics, his official duties etc. In both the volumes he discusses myriad aspects of Indian life, including Hinduism, local festivals and folklore, the ‘thugs’ he tried to eradicate, disease and famine, and the natural world. He also details the lives of a wide range of Indians, from key historical figures such as Aurungzebe, the Mogul emperor, to the ordinary people he encountered, such as washerwomen and elephantdrivers.