Burnes (James). A Narrative of a Visit to the Court of Sinde, 1st UK edition, [1831]

Burnes (James). A Narrative of a Visit to the Court of Sinde; A Sketch of the History of Cutch, from its first connexion with the British Government in India till the conclusion of the treaty of 1819; and some remarks on the medical topography of Bhooj, 1st UK edition, Edinburgh: Robert Cadell; and Whittaker, Treacher, & Arnot, London, [1831], two folding lithographic maps in contemporary outline hand-colouring (Sketch of a Route from Bhooj to Hyderabad, traversed by James Burnes in 1827-8, & A Sketch of the Runn and countries adjacent to illustrate a Memoir on its formation, and the alterations of the Eastern Branch of the Indus), errata leaf, 4 pp. entitled Dr. Burness’s overland journey from India at rear (extracted from the Montrose Review of 23rd and 30th May 1834), one folding genealogical table of the Talpoor family, one map with closed tear at fold, the other with closed tear where old folds cross, a couple of minimal spots, otherwise text clean, near contemporary ownership inscription to front flyleaf (‘George Lyon January 1852’), contemporary black half calf gilt over marbled boards by J. B. Dunlop Edinburgh, with gilt title to spine, spine ends and joints neatly and professionally refurbished, very lightly rubbed at extremities, 8vo (21.5 x 13 cm) (Quantity: 1) First UK edition, published two years after the unprocurable Bombay edition of 1829, which was privately printed ‘for the perusal of the author's friends’. Copies dated 1831 exist with Stark, the printer, substituted in the imprint for Cadell. Burnes arrived in Bombay in 1821 ‘and was successful in the open competition for the office of surgeon to the residency of Cutch. He volunteered to accompany the force which, in 1825, expelled the Sindians who had devastated Cutch and forced the British brigade to retire to Bhuj. The amirs of Sind then invited him to visit them as the most skilful of physicians and their best friend, and the cementer of the bonds of amity between the two governments, and on his return he was complimented by the government on the zeal and ability he had displayed at Cutch and Hyderabad. His account of his visit to Sind, written as an official report to the resident at Cutch, is an excellent account of the country, and was a valuable contribution to the geography of India’ (ODNB).