Book Description

Born in 1788 W.H. Sleeman came to India as in infantry cadet in the Bengal army in 1809. He rose through the rank final to become Major General in 1854. He is best remembered for his work for the suppression of the Thugs. He also received the coveted post of British resident at Lucknow and was the one who cautioned the British against annexing Oudh (Avadh) as, he believed, that such an action would lead to a mutiny among the native sepoys. This was in 1854-55. This book recounts this journey through Oudh to access the situation prevalent there. Traveling through the area he faithfully recounts all that he saw; the people, their practices, the land tenure, the cultivation, the state of the army, the political situation, the nobility etc. His travel started in December 1849 and ended in Feb 1850. This book is a reprint of the 1858 edition.