Pilgrimage to the Caaba and Charing Cross.

HASSAN, Hafiz Ahmed.

Published by London: W. H. Allen & Co. [1871]

About this Item

First edition. This detailed account of Hassan's diplomatic mission from Tonk to London encompasses a voyage from Bombay to Jedda, via Aden and Hoyda, a journey by camel to Mecca and Medina, and onward travel to England via Suez. The author held a position, equivalent to chief finance minister, at the court of the young Nawab of Tonk, a small Muslim kingdom in Rajasthan and hedged on all sides by Hindu-ruled states. After the death of the Thakoor of Lawa (Tonk's largest tributary) at the home of the Tonk prime minister, the local political agent (Lieutenant-Colonel Eden) supported Lawa's allegations of foul play and deposed the Nawab. Hassan was a key member of deputation dispatched to London to appeal Eden's findings. Although the appeal was unsuccessful and the Nawab's son continued to rule in his father's stead, the affair produced this valuable example of travel against the usual west-to-east grain. Not in Macro. Octavo. Mounted Woodburytype portrait frontispiece of author; 10 pp. publisher's advertisements at rear. Original green cloth over bevelled boards, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, front board lettered in gilt within gilt ornamental panel, matching panel in blind on rear cover, black coated endpapers. With 1889 birthday inscription on half-title. Spine toned, boards clean, webbing exposed at rear hinge: very good.

Seller Inventory # 179841

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pilgrimage to the Caaba and Charing Cross.
• Publisher: London: W. H. Allen & Co. [1871]
• Edition: 1st Edition