MARTIN, Robert Montgomery.

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Our Indian Empire and the adjacent countries of Afghanistan, Beloochistan, Persia, etc. Depicted and described by Pen and Pencil. First edition thus, based on Martin's The Indian Empire (1858-61), but with a new introduction taking in recent developments in the Great Game, volume III closing with the conclusion of the Second Afghan War (1878-80) and General Roberts's entry into Kandahar.The Dublin-born writer and civil servant Robert Montgomery Martin (c.1802-1868), wrote extensively on colonial matters, "his life was dominated by a self-appointed task - the study of the British empire, which Martin saw in terms of a vast free-trade area of new territories in allegiance to the British crown" (ODNB). He had first-hand experience of India, moving to Calcutta in 1828 as a surgeon, where, for a short time, he edited the Bengal Herald. All of his writings were "influenced by his practical Christianity and by his association with leading intellectuals... He opposed duelling, suttee, and slavery, advocated the abolition of flogging, and was active in the work of the Aborigines Protection Society... At a time when some questioned the value of the empire, Martin was its spokesman," favouring "a reformed colonial policy" (ibid.).

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