Journal of an Embassy from the Governor General of India to the Court of Ava, in the Year 1827

In this 1829 book, British official John Crawfurd describes his experiences at the Court of Ava in Burma (Myanmar).

John Crawfurd (Author)

9781108046633, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 April 2012

644 pages, 12 b/w illus. 4 colour illus. 2 maps
29.7 x 21 x 3.3 cm, 1.52 kg

After studying medicine at Edinburgh, John Crawfurd (1783–1868) joined the medical service of the East India Company. While posted at Penang, he studied the Malay language and culture and became an expert in Eastern affairs. His talent was recognised by the British Government, which entrusted to him both administrative and diplomatic responsibilities. He was sent as an envoy on many missions, most notably to the Court of Siam (Thailand) where his efforts led to a possibility of opening up the diplomatic relations between the two countries, troubled since the seventeenth century. In 1827, he was sent on his last diplomatic assignment in the service of the East India Company, to the Court of Ava (then the capital of present-day Myanmar (Burma)). This 1829 work describes his experiences at Ava, and provided a reference source for subsequent missions. The appendix contains several relevant official communiqués.

1. Preparation for the journey to Ava
2. Departure from Prome
3. Departure from Pugan
4. Excursions to the neighbourhood of our residence
5. Mission presented to the King
6. Renewal of the conferences
7. Conferences renewed
8. Excursion to the Sagaing Hills
9. Treatment of prisoners of war by the Burmese
10. Visit to Amarapura, the late capital
11. Description of the capital
12. Mission quits Ava
13. Departure from the mouth of the Rangoon River for Martaban
14. Different tribes inhabiting the Burman territory
15. Orders of society
16. Commerce
17. Geographical description
18. Burman history
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]