Hindoostan, containing a Description of the Religion, Manners, Customs, Trades, Arts, Sciences, Literature, Diversions, & c. of The Hindoos

Frederic Shoberl, Hindoostan, containing a Description of the Religion, Manners, Customs, Trades, Arts, Sciences, Literature, Diversions, & c. of The Hindoos, London: Printed for R. Ackermann, repository of Arts, Strand; No date on the title-page but plates are dated 1822
5.8 x 3.7 in (14.5 x 9.4 cm) (each)

Six volumes bound in 3
Volume 1: pp. xxxix, 187 + 8 plates of Hindu gods [pp. xxxix covers Preface, and Contents and List of Plates for all 6 volumes]
Volume 2: pp. 273 + 19 plates [4 folding]
Volume 3: pp. 324 + 22 plates [4 folding]
Volume 4: pp. 216 + 23 plates [2 folding]
Volume 5: pp. 234 + 16 plates
Volume 6: pp. 240 + 15 plates [2 folding]

A Rare Book with 103 Colour Plates Based on Company Paintings published in 1822, complete in 6 volumes.

First edition. These are the six volumes on India from the 42-volume series which aimed ‘to increase the store of knowledge concerning the various branches of the great family of Man’ (Abbey Travel, 19). These volumes cover the religion, arts, geography, customs, and professional activities of the peoples of India. The information is gathered from various contemporary sources and has some newly added details, and is accompanied by beautifully coloured engravings by Shoberl. The engravings were based on drawings done by a Hindu artist ‘under the inspection of M. Leger, former governor of Pondicherry’ that ‘are now in the possession of M. Nepveu, bookseller of Paris’ (p. xvi). The author has admiration for the ancient roots of Hindu civilization, coupled with a surprise that: ‘amidst the ruins of these master-pieces of arts, the manners and customs of the natives seem to have remained unchanged, and exhibit the same features under which they were portrayed by the Greeks, who visited India two thousand years ago’ (viii).

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