jefty's dominions, better known to your fubjects in Europe; and they are now humbly offered to your Majefty as a tribute of gratitude for that fecurity and protection which their author enjoyed, in common millions of your fubjects in the

with many

midst of Afia.

WHAT reflections may arife in your Majesty's breast, on viewing the domestic circumstances, and actual condition of fo large. a portion of the human race, I prefume not to conjecture; but your fubjects can hardly contemplate without reverence and gratitude, that difpenfation of Providence which; - has committed to your Majefty's protection and care, a more numerous people, and more extenfive territories, than ever fell under the dominion of any European Mo

narch;

h

narch; because it has enabled

your Councils

to govern them with greater wisdom and moderation. During your long, eventful, and profperous reign, the anarchy confequent on the downfal of the Mogul Empire, has been fucceeded by order: The cruel fpoliations of contending chieftains have been fufpended; arts have been encouraged; several new manufactures have been introduced, and many more have been extended: And while the bleffings of fecurity and peace have been conferred upon a numerous people, better means have been fupplied them of acquiring the knowledge of truth, and the practice of virtue The time has arrived, when Afia, which gave the first lesfons of civilization to mankind, is deftined to receive them back with intereft into her

bofom ;

and when India, the peculiar re

region

gion of defpotifm, must experience the bleffings of a mild and rational government.

I am,

May it please your Majesty,

Your Majesty's

Obedient Subject, and

Faithful Servant,

WILLIAM TENNANT.

PREFACE.

Of the information contained in these volumes, by far the greater part is the refult of perfonal obferva, tion, and of inquiries made upon the spot, during a refidence of several years in different parts of India. The progrefs of the army to which I was attached, presented to my examination, during that period, a large extent of country, in a line of march of more than three thousand miles. The duties of my profeffion obliged me, befides, to undertake many journies in different directions, where the army did not penetrate; and curiofity often prompted me to make shorter excurfions wherever information might be procured.

THE

THE different Officers, under whom I fucceffively ferved, far from embarraffing, by their official authority, encouraged these pursuits; and to Lieutenant-General Sir James Craig, Major-Generals Alexander Mackenzie, and Hay Macdowall, I am obliged for feveral useful topics of difcuffion, as well as for the moft polite indulgence in the difpofal of my time, on every occafion, confiftent with the duties of station in the army. my

ANOTHER fource of information was frequently afforded me by the conversation and writings of feveral intelligent natives of India, both Muffulmans and Hindoos: Whatever was found difficult or obfcure, these men were referred to for elucidation, as the best qualified to decide on their own manners and inftitutions. Gholam Hoffein Khan, Abu Taleb Khan, and Ram Jeet Sing, as often as they were confulted on doubtful points, fupplied more correct information; they are men of noble birth and confiderable rank, but ftill more diftinguifhed among their countrymen, by their extenfive knowledge and refpectability of character.

My