Journey to the North of India
Overland from England, through Russia, Persia, and Affghaunistaun

Published 1834, this two-volume work sheds light on the Great Game, as Britain and Russia sought supremacy in Central Asia.

Arthur Conolly (Author)

9781108069236, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 August 2014

456 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.58 kg

The Great Game, a coinage credited to the British officer Arthur Conolly (1807–42), refers to the nineteenth-century rivalry between Britain and Russia as each power sought supremacy in Central Asia. In a climate of tension and suspicion that the Russians might attempt to invade India via Afghanistan, Conolly, returning from sick leave in England, embarked in 1829 on an expedition through the region. His narrative provides observations on the various Asiatic peoples he encountered, including the social, religious and political aspects of their cultures. He describes also the many dangers he had to deal with, requiring him to assume a series of false identities. The risks that Conolly faced were underscored some years later, when he was captured and executed in Bukhara. Volume 2 recounts the time Conolly spent in Afghanistan. Included also are appendices addressing the possible overland invasion of India as well as the history of Afghanistan.

1. Capabilities of Persian Khorassaun
2. Excursion to the village of Gauzer Gau
3. Kamrun's march upon Candahar
4. Barter for provisions
5. Arrival at Girishk
6. Departure from Munsoor Khan
7. Khojeh Amraun, Speen Taizhe, and Toba Hills
8. Pisheen superstitions
9. Preparations for starting
10. The Attun dance
11. Ride to Muchee
12. Halt at Shikarpore
13. Departure from Rohree
Overland invasion of India
Affghaun history
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]