3 Review(s)

This two-volume work presents the private correspondence between the Nawab of Awadh and the author. Fluent in Hindi-Urdu and Persian, the author was the first British official to represent the British government to the Nawabs. The text serves as a diary, containing reports that assess the sociopolitical, economic, military, and cultural conditions of Awadh and the Ceded Districts prior to their annexation by the British in 1858 and the subsequent overthrow of the Awadh kingdom.Volume 1 provides vivid descriptions of various zamindars, local customs, social practices, religious rites, and political events in Awadh and the Ceded Districts. It offers a detailed account of the governance, nobility, and social dynamics of the region during this period.Volume 2 discusses the decline of the Awadh kingdom, the economic situation, and the disputes and conflicts between various zamindars and the landed gentry. It also explores social practices and social ills in the region. The volume concludes with the correspondence between the Nawab and the author following the annexation of Awadh by the British Crown.