My Diary in India, in the Year 1858-9 [2 Volumes]

William Howard Russell, My Diary in India, in the Year 1858-9, London: Routledge and Warne, 1860, 2 Volumes

Volume I: xiii; 408 pages including 1 black and white map and 5 tinted lithographs by Swedish artist Egron Lundgren and a folding ‘Plan of the Operations Against Lucknow 1858’
Volume II: xi; 420 pages including 6 tinted lithographs

Original stamped publisher's cloth with gilt text at the spine (each)
8 x 5.2 in (20 x 13 cm) (each)

An excellent eyewitness account empathetic to Indians.

Journalist William Howard Russell (1820-1907) was the first celebrity war correspondent, who spent two years covering the Crimean War for the London Times, beginning in 1854. In December 1857, Russell was sent to India to cover the rebellion, and "though much of the mutiny had passed, this highly experienced journalist participated in the final retaking of Lucknow with Commander-in-Chief Sir Colin Campbell and the follow-up campaign in Oudh. Russell`s entries reflect a sharply critical evaluation of the depth of British violence in suppressing the mutiny and the subsequently elevated levels of racial feelings. Russell`s view ranges over not only the obvious campaigning, but also touches on the agricultural richness of Oudh, the torturous extremes of Indian weather, and his personal observations of native life. Russell`s views of British involvement are slightly cynical for the times in his belief that the Indian was better off under native rule and that the future of British involvement in India was bleak at best." (Riddick, Glimpses of India, p. 77)

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each book.