George Nathaniel Curzon, Marquess Curzon of Kedleston (1859–1925)

A rare glimpse into the mind of one of the better-known viceroys, Lord Curzon (Viceroy 1894-1905). This selection does not deal with the larger questions of British rule and policy, but with some of his tours and excursions in the interior districts of the subcontinent, with somewhat humorous sketches of the locals and their foibles. The latter half of the volume is given to his account of a march into the wild Northwest Frontier province and beyond, to the Wakhan plateau in the Pamirs of Afghanistan, and the source of the Oxus river (which he claims to have discovered). An engaging look into the minds and spirit of the British rulers in India, and their affectionate, if somewhat bemused, reactions to the local rajahs and other personalities. Original photographs from those times, showing the variety of transport modes, and the importance of elephants and horses, add value.… (mere)