Sleeman Lieutenant Colonel (1 results)

Two volumes, hand-coloured chromolithograph portrait frontispiece to each volume + 30 plates (including 6 botanical plates) in the second volume (lacking the tissue guards): xii + 475 pp ; vii + List of Illustrations + 459 pp; contemporary half calf, spine gilt-ruled between compartments, raised bands, gilt lettered title labels, edges fully gilt, 23.5 x 16 cms, professionally re-backed mounting the original spine, corners a little rubbed and bumped, title and frontispiece to each volume rather spotted and affecting a number of the plates, some age toning but a good, handsome copy. Sir William Henry Sleeman (1788?1856) was a British soldier and administrator in India and "his most memorable achievement was an exposure of the practices of the thugs, an organised fraternity of professional murderers.In February 1839, additional duties being assigned to his office, he became commissioner for the suppression of Thuggi and dacoity. During the next two years he was actively engaged in investigating and repressing criminal organisations in Upper India. During 1826 and 1835 over fourteen hundred thugs were hanged or transported for life." (DNB). At the time of writing, Sleeman was political resident in Gwalior. His readable observations touch on a myriad of subjects and places and illustrate many facets of Indian life including suttee, witchcraft, influence of electricity on vegetation, corn dealers, the Kohinoor diamond, transit duties, Delhi, Indian Police and military discipline.