3 Review(s)

Francis Buchanan Hamilton’s An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal is a seminal description of the history of Nepal, much sought after and unobtainable for a very long time. Written almost two centuries ago, it is a methodical, non-judgmental perspective of the history of Nepal and its people. Buchanan drew upon his own observations and conversations with hereditary chiefs, Buddhist priests, scribes, and others in an attempt to provide a comprehensive account of the country as he found it before the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. Buchanan’s book includes two noteworthy scientific supplements: a register of the weather from February 1802 to March 1803 and an attempt by Buchanan’s colleague, Colonel Crawford, to calculate the height of several Himalayan peaks. Born in 1762, Francis Buchanan Hamilton was a Scottish physician who made significant contributions as a geographer, zoologist, and botanist. Hamilton was keenly interested in the natural history of the Asian land in which he spent so many years. His other famous works include 'A Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar' and 'An Account of the Districts of Bihar and Patna'.