SLEEMAN, William Henry.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official. First edition, attractively illustrated with chromolithographic plates showing many famous Indian buildings and local plant varieties. Sleeman (1788-1856) joined the Bengal Army in 1809 and, in 1820, became assistant to the governor-general's agent in the Sagar and Narmada territories. The resident at Gwalior (1843-49) and then Lucknow (1849-56), he spearheaded the suppression of thuggee. Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official gives "a very sympathetic account of India and its people" (Mishra & Mishra, p. 118). It collects observations on religious and social life, structured as a tour and intended for those who would move to the country as administrators. The chapter on suttee represents "one of the longest suttee texts in Victorian literature" (Sabin, p. 80).

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.