Letters Written in a Mahratta Camp During the Year 1809, Descriptive of the Character, Manners, Domestic Habits, and Religious Ceremonies of the Mahrattas
London: John Murray, 1813. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 4to. Very Good / No Jacket. Item #001959
Full calf binding with blind palm leaf tooling, framed in gilt. Title on new green leather spine label. Blind scrollwork tooling on spine. Marbled edges. Marbled endpapers. [14], 358, [1]. With ten coloured engravings incl. frontis, from drawings by a native artist. Wear to boards, edges and corners, light scratches to boards, chip on headcap. Hinges starting to crack. Bookplate and faded label on front pastedown. Light offsetting from bookplate on free endpaper. Light foxing to some pages, light offsetting throughout. Light staining to edges on pp 31-36 and pp 54-55 staining to leaves in margins, text not affected. Slightly roughly cut edges to margins. The purpose of this book is to provide an accurate description of the 'character, manners, domestic habits and religious ceremonies of the Mahrattas.' Broughton (1778-1835), an army officer in the East India Company, first arrived in India while serving as a cadet in the Bengal establishment in 1795, and eventually rose to the position of captain in 1805, major in 1816, and colonel in 1829. The book consists of a series of 32 letters addressed to his brother, and most of the letters describe the events and the environment of the Rajputana Region, beginning with an account of a journey from Agra to Kerowli. The letters which follow all contain fascinating descriptions of festivals and other events, and cultured encounters of all kinds, painting a vivid portrait of life for the British in early nineteenth century India. Dedication addressed to Marques Wellesley (Richard Wellesley), the Governor General in Council, member of the Order of the Garter.
Price: $2,500.00