Sketches of Persia
From the Journals of a Traveller in the East

A nineteenth-century journey through Persia by a British diplomat who spent a considerable part of his career there.

John Malcolm (Author)

9781108028660, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

300 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.38 kg

Sketches of Persia, although published anonymously in 1827, is attributed to Sir John Malcolm (1769–1833). Malcolm was a diplomat and administrator in India: arriving at the age of fourteen in 1783 to work for the East India Company, he was known during his long career as 'Boy' Malcolm. He swiftly moved into more political and diplomatic roles. He became fluent in Persian and was despatched to Persia for part of his career, though he would eventually return to India and become Governor of Bombay (1827–1830). In Volume 1 of Sketches, Malcolm starts the journey from Bombay, sailing into the Persian Gulf, arriving at Abusheher, where he stays many weeks. From there his party moves inland into the mountains, and finally reaches Shiraz and then Persepolis. Throughout his journey, Malcolm fills this work with his observations about the people he meets, and recounts Persian folk stories and fables.

Introduction
1. Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf
2. Muscat
3. The Persian Gulf and Abusheher
4. Camp at Abusheher
5. Hunting and hawking
6. Elchee's lectures
7. Mountaineers
8. Principal characters of the Mission
9. Importance of forms
10. Fable of the two cats. Preamble to Persian treaty
11. Shiraz
12. Persian servants
13. Travellers and antiquaries.

Subject Areas: Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]