A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude 1849-1850 by W.H. Sleeman

This two-volume work presents the private correspondence between the Nawab of Awadh and the author. Fluent in Hindi-Urdu and Persian, the author was the first British official to represent the British government to the Nawabs. The text serves as a diary, containing reports that assess the sociopolitical, economic, military, and cultural conditions of Awadh and the Ceded Districts prior to their annexation by the British in 1858 and the subsequent overthrow of the Awadh kingdom. Volume 1 provides vivid descriptions of various zamindars, local customs, social practices, religious rites, and political events in Awadh and the Ceded Districts. It offers a detailed account of the governance, nobility, and social dynamics of the region during this period. Volume 2 discusses the decline of the Awadh kingdom, the economic situation, and the disputes and conflicts between various zamindars and the landed gentry. It also explores social practices and social ills in the region. The volume concludes with the correspondence between the Nawab and the author following the annexation of Awadh by the British Crown. About the Author W.H. Sleeman (1788-1856) was a British soldier and administrator in India. In 1828, he became the first to discover dinosaur fossils in India. He served as junior assistant to the Governor-General in Saugor and Nerbudda, later assuming the rank of captain in 1825. Sleeman took charge of Jabalpore District in 1828, where he made his significant paleontological discovery. He is also known for his role in the sup­pression of the Thuggee groups, leading to the enactment of the 1836 Thuggery Act. His major publications include Ramaseean, or A Vocabulary of the Peculiar Language Used by the Thugs; The Thugs or Phansigars of India; Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official; and Diary of a Tour Through Oude (December 1849 -February 1850).