Travels into Bokhara : containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia in the years 1831, 1832, and 1833 [ 3 Volume Set ] by Burnes, Alexander Sir 1805-1841 - 1834

London: John Murray, 1834. 1st British Edition Alexander Burns Sikh Empire Ranjit Singh Lahore 1834. A fascinating account of the Lahore Sikh court by Alexander Burnes published whilst Ranjit Singh was alive and well this is the true First Edition. Fine leather gilt binding. Books titled - Travels into Bokhara.: Being the Account of a Journey from India to Cabool Tartary and Persia; also Narrative of a Voyage on the Indus from the Sea to Lahore with Presents from the King of Great Britain; performed under the orders of the Supreme Government of India in the Years 1831 1832 and 1833. Sir Alexander Burnes (1805-1841) British traveller explorer and writer was born on 16 May 1805. He joined the Bombay infantry in 1821. Upon his arrival in India he devoted himself to the study of the local languages and was while still an ensign selected for the post of regimental interpreter. In 1829 he was transferred to the political department as assistant to the Political Resident in Cutch. In 1831 he was sent on a complimentary mission to Lahore in charge of English horses including a team of cart horses four mares and a stallion sent by the King of England as presents for Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The real object of Burnes mission was to survey the River Indus and assess the power and resources of the Amirs of Sindh then being threatened by the Maharaja. He submitted to his government a geographical and military memoir on Sindh which formed the basis of Lord William Bentincks Indus navigation scheme. He describes Maharaja Ranjit Singhs habits and government his passion for horses his troops and horse artillery his dancing girls and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. In January 1832 Burnes visited Lahore again to solicit from the Maharaja facilities of travel through the Punjab to Afghanistan Central Asia and Baikh and Bokhara. Burnes (Sir Alexander). A very rare copy of this great work. Now professionally bound in brown half leather, gilt titles to spine, with 5 raised bands, leathered corners. engraved portrait frontispiece and a folding lithographic plate of the Buddhas of Bamyan to volume I; 2 engraved numismatic plates to volume II; Engraved frontispiece view of Hyderabad and one other similar view, and two lithographed plates to volume III. The plates, somewhat browned as usual. p.xii, 356; p. xv, 473; p. xix, 332. Excellent copies. [ Location : Display Lothlorien ]. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Near Fine. 8vo.