The Sikhs
William Blackwood and Sons 1904.
First edition. 8vo. Publisher's blue cloth, upper cover blocked with lettering and Sikh sword in gilt, spine lettered in gilt, contemporary bookseller's label to front pastedown. Colour frontispiece portrait of Ranjit Singh after a drawing by Emily Eden, fifteen black and white plates with drawings by the author. A near fine copy, half-title foxed, some light foxing to rear, traces of printed matter pasted to front free endpaper, since removed, very light scattered wear to boards. Ownership inscription to title-page. A clean, tight copy of a scarce book.
First edition of this classic study of the Sikh religious sect and its empire by General Sir John James Hood Gordon (1832-1908), who served in the Indian Mutiny, Second Anglo-Afghan War and Third Anglo-Burmese War.
In the preface, Gordon describes the admiration elicited in London by Sikh soldiers attending the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, when over 40 Indian regiments, more than 1000 men, were in attendance: "Conspicuous among them were the Sikhs - tall, bearded, dignified-looking men, intelligent and keen observers - whose soldierly bearing was the admiration of all who beheld them. The name Sikh is reminiscent of very hard fighting against us fifty years ago [in the Anglo-Sikh Wars], and of equally hard fighting for us on many a field since. Belonging to an exceptional as well as a fine martial race, more than ordinary interest is attached to them on account of their origin and religion. In the following pages I have given a short sketch of this warlike race, and of their rise through much tribulation to power as a nation, and transformation by the fortune of war into loyal and hearty subjects of the Great Queen Victoria."
The author's charming if somewhat naive illustrations include first-hand depictions of Sikh soldiers on campaign with the English Army in Afghanistan and during the Indian Mutiny.
Stock ID: 47126
£1,750.00
