A Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar

A three-volume survey, published in 1807, describing a large area of southern India shortly after it came under British control.

Francis Buchanan (Author)

9781108231909, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 June 2011

482 pages, 14 b/w illus. 1 map
29.7 x 21 x 2.5 cm, 1.15 kg

In 1800 Lord Wellesley, the British Governor General of India, appointed the surgeon and botanist Francis Buchanan (1762–1829) to conduct a survey of the kingdom of Mysore in the south of the country, which had recently been annexed by the East India Company. In the resulting three-volume report, first published in 1807, Buchanan (later known as Francis Hamilton) records the physical and human geography of this large area of southern India. He describes the agriculture, arts and commerce, indigenous religions and customs, natural history and society and antiquities of the regions through which he travelled, and illustrates his text with a map and engravings. Volume 1 covers the early part of Buchanan's journey, from the British stronghold at Madras through Bangalore to Sira, an important strategic location for several earlier rulers. Buchanan focuses particularly on the agriculture of the region, noting the different varieties of rice under cultivation.

Introduction
1. From Madras to Conjeveram, Arcot, Vellore, Paligonda, Satgudam, Pedda Naikena Durga, Vencataghery, Baydamungulum, Waluru, Catcolli, Tayculum, Bangalore, and Seringapatam
2. Seringapatam, and its vicinity
3. From Seringapatam to Bangalore
4. Bangalore
5. From Bangalore to Doda Bala-pura
6. From Doda Bala-pura to Sira.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]