Cutch, or Random Sketches of Western India. Taken During a Residence in One of the Northern Provinces of Western India, Interspersed with Legends and Traditions.
London. Smith, Elder and Co., 1839. Stock ID #223681 Scarce. Pioneering account beautifully illustrated (after sketches by the author). Marianne Postans travelled to India in 1834, with her husband, Thomas Postans, a Captain in the 15th Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry, where he was posted to Cutch (Kutch), the northwestern region of modern-day Gujarat. They both shared a deep interest in the people and traditions of India. Marianne's account attempts to describe the culture of the region, its bards and bardic literature (including specific songs and stories of Kutchi bards), arts and crafts, and agriculture and trade. She also describes in detail practices such as infanticide and sati. When referring to this item please quote stockid 223681.
Engraved handcoloured frontispiece (opposite the additional engraved title page), sketch map and 7 other full-page illustrations (one folding and 5 hand-coloured), text illustrations, (2) half-title + xvii (including both the engraved and printed title pages) + 283pp; original blind-stamped pebbled green cloth boards, 23 x 14.5cm, re-backed mounting the original gilt-lettered backstrip, endpapers renewed, scant spotting, the boards faded and the backstrip chipped at the foot, with the neat inked inscription of a previous owner, but in very good condition.
The beauty of the Rann awed her: "The distant aspect of the Runn resembles that of the ocean at ebb tide; and as some water always remains on it, the refraction of light produces the most beautiful and mysterious effects, decorating it with all the enchantments of the most lovely specimens of mirage, whose magic power, exerting itself on the morning mists, indues this desert tract with the most bewitching scenes...".
Price: $3,750.00 AU