and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus; with Notices of the Topography and History of the Province
Sindh and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus; with Notices of the Topography and History of the Province
Wm.H.Allen & Co., 1851.
First edition. Bound by the Knickerbocker Press Bindery in nineteenth century half green morocco over cloth covered boards, with matching cloth covered endpapers. Raised bands and gilt titles to spine. Top edge gilt. Fold out frontispiece map of the Sindh printed on blue paper A near fine copy, light wear towards the head of the joints. Internally clean and fresh.
Before embarking on a career as an explorer Burton took a commission with the East India Company Army, hoping to fight in the First Anglo-Afghan War, but arrived in India too late.
By 1844 his unusual aptitude for understanding Oriental languages and customs meant he was transferred to Charles Napier's auspices in order to provide surveillance of the recently conquered Sindh province. During the following five years Burton disguised himself as a native to better understand the indigenous population and report back about their morale. Curiously, nowhere in this work, which is an account of those five years, does he refer to his secret missions or disguise. The work is now regarded as a classic on the northern Indian province which was later to form part of Pakistan.
It was published under the patronage of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, and dedicated to them also in the hope that Burton's descriptions of the language, culture, religion and people of the region would assist them in its governance.
Stock ID: 35808
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