A History of India

Preface

. The present work may be regarded as supplemental to my History of England. It was not, however, undertaken with that view, but solely at the desire of my publishers, Messrs. Whittaker & Co., who wished to add a History of India to their Popular Library, and deemed me well qualified to write it. It is rather remarkable that my late friend, Dr. Arnold, of Rugby, when I informed him that 1 had (as I then thought) done with history, should have proposed to me this very subject, or rather a History of India and our Colonial Empire in general, to complete my account of the British Empire. In this, as in all my historic epitomes, I have endeavoured (a thing nearly impossible) to unite fulness of information with brevity of narrative ; and I trust, that from it may be derived a tolerably clear idea of the origin and progress of our Indian Empire.

For my materials, I am indebted to the Histories of Mill and Wilson, and of Thornton, and the various histories, narratives, and biographies that have appeared, from the days of Clive and Orme, down to our own time. In the First Part, I have chiefly derived my information from Mr. Elphinstone's History of India, and the translations of Ferishta. It was not to be expected, that for the sake of a mere epitome, I should consult the archives of the India House, or carefully examine the Debates of Parliament, or the Reports of Committees. I have only aimed at giving a condensed view of the history, as it is to be found in the works just mentioned. The historic literature of our Indian Empire is very creditable to the servants of the Company. It commences, as is well known, with the " History of the Military Transactions of the British Nation in Indostan," of Orme, the Thucydides, as we may style him, of our Indian Empire ; for, like the illustrious Athenian, he has narrated with fulness, candour, and impartiality, the struggle for dominion of two potent nations ; and viewing the affairs of Bengal as episodic, his work, though unfinished, possesses au epic unity.

The style is remarkably clear, and not devoid of picturesqueness and animation ; and as to the objection that has been made, of his being too minute, I very much doubt if that be a fault, in one who has to furnish materials for all future writers on the same subject. Certain I am, that without reading Orme's work, we shall never fully understand the mode in which the foundations of our wonderful empire in India were laid. It ought to be esteemed one of the classics of our language, and the species of oblivion into which it appears to have fallen is a discredit to our nation. I think, however, that if a new edition of it were published, in the octavo form, with notes by a competent person — Mr. Wilson, for example, — and lithographed copies of the excellent plans which it contains, it would fiud many readers and purchasers.

After Orme's History may be mentioned the various historical writings of Wilks, Duff, Malcolm, Todd, and many others, all of which are extremely valuable. It were greatly to be wished that Mr. Wilson, instead of writing notes to, and continuing the History of Mill, had become himself the historian of our Indian Empire. I know no one so well qualified to write that history in all its fulness, with all the detail which would leave nothing to be desired ; for though Thornton's has many merits, and is written with much impartiality, it is rather a popular history, and the author avoids going much into detail, contenting himself with general views. As to Mill, I always regretted that he should have become the historian of India ; for though I have not the slightest doubt of his honesty, his political notions were too Utopian, and his prejudices so strong, that perhaps a third of his work is useless, and all his elaborate reasonings and theories are refuted by his annotator, often by simply showing that he was unacquainted with the real facts, and was combating a phantom of his own creation. As a writer on public law and political economy, Mr. Mill would, I think, be more in his place than as a historian.

PREFACE.

. On the various epitomes of the History of India, it would be unbecoming in me to make any observations ; if I found fault with them, it might be ascribed to jealousy ; if I praised them, it might be asked why I undertook a work, for which, it was apparent, there was little need. It only remains for me to say a few words on the orthography of Oriental names and terms. Our earlier writers followed in some the Portuguese mode of spelling, in others they gave the sounds of their own language. Sir William Jones adopted the vowel sounds of the Italian language, marking the long vowels with an accent (d e t), a very elegant system, and one which I wish had been generally adopted; but it has the disadvantage of giving soimds to vowels, which they have not in English ; and the words, therefore, cannot be pronounced at sight, by mere English readers.

In consequence, though the system is followed by scholars, such as Elphinstone and Wilson, the more usual mode is to give the English sounds, though the double vowels (as oo), when they frequently occur, are disagreeable to the eye. As to myself, I have followed the two systems indifferently, merely using an apex instead of an acute accent {t u, for « u) ; writing, for example, Rajput and Rajpoot, Amir and Ameer. I wish, however, I had not used the e, for the proper mode of expressing the long e of other languages in ours, is by ai or ei, as in rain, rein, just as in French. I know that it is becoming the practice, to pronounce the latter diphthong like our y, a sound which it never has in our language, except in the mis-spelt height and sleight, and the mis-pronounced either and neither. In fact, it is, I believe, nearly peculiar to the German language, and was given by Erasmus to the Greek et, a diphthong which, for the last two thousand years at least, has been pronounced by the Greeks like our ee, or the Latin and Italian 1 ; and hence, I think it is, that our scholars have gotten their erroneous ideas on this subject.

I therefore follow those who write Hyder and Khyber, and not Heider and Khaiber, or Kheiber. There is another sound, about which there is a difference, namely, the short « in our but, which is of perpetual occurrence in Indian words. The usual way is to write it with a u, as in Jumna and Punjab, but some use the short a, of the Sanscrit I believe, and write Jamna and Panjab. Of this, I totally disapprove ; for few would ever pronounce that short a otherwise than in English. Finally, it is better to use a than au, for the long a of the Eastern languages is sounded as in far, not as in fall. The coins mentioned in the following pages are the Rupee and the Pagoda ; of which, the latter is equivalent to about four of the former. The rupee (Sanscr. rupya, silver) varies in value, but that of the Company is generally worth about 2s. In the time of Clive and Hastings, its value seems to have been higher, or rather the rupees then spoken of were those of the native princes, for Mill (iii. 325) gives the current rupee at 2s. id., and the Sicca rupee at 2s. Sid., and our computations for those times are given after him.

In counting, 100,000 rupees make a lac, and 100 lacs, or ten million rupees, a orore, so that a crore of rupees (at 2s.) is a million sterling. The usual way of stating sums in rupees is as follows ; 2,76,34,270, namely, crores, lacs, rupees. I have to apologize for two very shameful errata in the early pages of this work ; of the former of which, I trust, the reader will be equitable enough to say, Incuria fudit. T. K. Adbury Lodge, Newbury, May 1, 1847. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

page

CHAPTER IX.

page Situation of India — Its Divisions — Hindustan— The Deckan— Rivers — Climate— Natural Productions — Animals— Minerals u 1 Akbeb— Conquest of Cashmire — The YGsofzyes— And Roushenia— Recovery of Candah ar— Invasion of the Deckan— Ch^nd Suit ana — Prince SeUm— Death of Akber— His Character— His Religious System— Hindoo Village-System — The Revenue — The Army- Royal Magnificence 25

Chapter II

Early Inhabitants of India— Hindoos— Their Colonies- Religion — Sects— Morals— Transmigration of Souls- Buddhists— Jains— Sciences and Arts— Laws of Manu — Castes — Government 2

CHAPTER X.

JehangIr— Prince Khusru— Nur .Teh In— Invasion of the Deckan— Prince Shah Jehan— Moh&but Khan- Seizure of the Emperor— Heroism of Nur Jehan— Death of Jehangir 29

Chapter III

Earliest notice of India— Alexander the Great— Græco- Bactrian Kingdom — Vicramaditya — The Khalifat — Invasion of India — Decline of the Khalifat — Sebuktegin — MahmQd of Ghuzni — His Invasions of India — Temple of Somnat— Character of Mahmud— End of his Dynasty 6

CHAPTER XI.

Shah Jehan— Nur Jehan.— Magnificence of Shah Jehan —Khan Jeh&n L6di— War in the Deckan— Cabul and Balkh— Aurungzib— Sons of the Emperor— Illness of Shah Jehan— 'War among his Sons— The Emperor dethroned by Aurungzib— Confinement of Prince Morad— Magnificence of Shah Jehan 33

Chapter IV

House of Ghor— ShuMb-ud-din— His conquests— Slave-kings— Khfitb-ud-din— Shems-ud-din Altum eh— India invaded by the Moguls — Rukn-ud-din — Sultana Rezia — Nasir-ud-din — Anecdotes — Bulbun — Ky Kobad — End of the Dynaaty.„_.. *._«_»«..».»« 10

CHAPTER XII.

Aueungzib or Alcmoir I.— Fate of DSra— Of Shujah —Of Soliman— Death of Meer Jumla— The Marattas — Malajee — Sevajee — Progress of his Power — Aurungzib's Treatment of him— His Regulations— Choul— TheSadhs 35

Chapter V

House of Khilji— Jellal-ud-dSn — First Invasion of the Deckan — Aia-ud-din — Story of Dewal Devi— Massacre of the Moguls— Mobarek — House of Toghlak— Ghazi Khan — Shah Mohammed — Attempt to invade China — Fictitious Money — Mohammedan Kingdom in the Deckan — Firus-ud-din — Invasion of India by Timur— The Syuds— House of Lodi— Behldl— Secunder — Ibrahim — End of the Afghan Dominion in India. v 13

CHAPTER XIII.

Aurungzib continued— Aurungzib's Bigotry — Further Progress of Sevajee — His Death — Sambajee — Aurungzib in the Deckan — End of the Kingdoms of Golconda and Bejapur— Capture and Death of Sambajee— Rajah Ram — Difference of the Mogul and the Maratta Troops — Siege of Gingee— Aurungzib's Change of Operations —His Partial Success— His Death aud Character 38

Chapter VI. Chapter XIV

Sultan Baber— His Early Adventures— Conquest of India— His Character— Humayun — His Flight from Indian — Birth of Akber — Humayun's Adventures — He recovers Cabul — And India — His Death— Sheer Shah — Selim — Mohammed 18 Bahadur Shah — Origin of the Sikhs — Jehandar Shah— The Syuds — FuROKHSia— War in the Deckan —Against the Sikhs — Mohammed Shah— Asof Jah —Fall of the Syuds — The Marattas— Balajee Wiswanat —Bajee Rao — Invasion of Hindustan by the Marattas 42

Chapter VII. Chapter XV

Dismemberment of the Empire— The Bahman! Empire — Shiahs and Sflnnis— Bejapur— Ahmednugur— Bidr —Golconda— Elichpur— Battle of Taiicote— Gfizerat The Rajput States -. 22 Persia— Conquest of it by Mahmud the Afghan— Nadir Shah— His Invasion of India — Massacre and Plunder of Delhi— Death of Bajee Rao— Balajee Rao — The Rohil las— Invasion of India by Ahmed Duranee — Ahmed Shah— The Marattas in Hindustan — Ghazi-ud-din — Alumgir II. — Plunder of Delhi by Ahmed Duranee— Conquest of the Punjab by the Marattas — Power of the Marattas— Attempt to make themselves Masters of all India— Battle of Panipat, and Ruin of the Maratta Power 45

Chapter VIII

Akber — Behram Khan— Reduction of various Chiefs — Asof Khan — Siege of Chitor — Marriages with Rajput Families— Reduction of Guzerat — Akber's Temerity — Reduction of Bengal— Recovery of Cabul VI CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Page Chapter IX

»agb Early Trade to India — Discovery of the Monsoons — Portuguese Discoveries — Passage of Cape of Good Hope —Voyage of Vasco de Gama— Voyage of Cabral — Second Voyage of Gama— Of the Albuquerques — Soarez — Almeida — Albuquerque — Conquest of Goa — Of Malacca — Extent of Portuguese Empire in the East — Defence of Diu— Of Goa— Voyages of the Dutch — Their Trade and Settlements— The French 49 Affairs of Bengal— Invasion of Bahar by the Shah-Zada — Conflict with the Dutch — Return of Clive to England w 83

CHAPTER X.

Defeat of the Emperor— Death of Meerum— Dethronement of Meer Jaflier — Seizure of Ram Narrain — The Private Trade — Quarrel with Meer Coseim — Affairs at Patna — Restoration of Meer Jaflier — Battle of Geriah — Massacre of English Prisoners — Battle at Patna — Mutiny of Sepoys— Battle at Buxar— Death of Meer Jaflier — His Successor — Presents received 85

Chapter II

Early Voyages of the English— Land trade— Travels of Fitch— First Company Established— Voyage of Lancaster—Of Middleton— Of Sharpey— Second Voyage of Middleton — OfHippon and Floris— Nature of the English Trade— Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe— Rivalry between the Dutch and English — Depression of the Portuguese — Massacre of Amboyna 54

CHAPTER XI.

Clive in England— His Return to Bengal— Treaties with the Vizir and Emperor — dive's Plan of Reform— Salt- Society — Mutiny of English Officers — Suppressed by Clive— His Return to England— Death and Character 90

Chapter III

Courten's Association— Settlement at Madras — At Balasore— Union of Companies — Defence of the Factory at Surat— Disobedience of their Servants — Conflict with the Native Powers, and Abandonment of Bengal — Rival Company — Union of the Two Companies — Organization of the Company at Home and in India — Privileges obtained in Bengal 58

CHAPTER XII.

Affairs in the Carnatic — Rajah of Tanjore — Mohammed Isoof— Mound of the Caveri — The Northern Circars — Hyder Ally— His Early History— War with Hyder— Battle at Trinomalee — Siege of Amboor — Ill-success of the English — Conclusion of Peace — Affairs of Bengal 94

Chapter IV

French Settlements in India — M. de Labourdonnais — M. Dupleix— Taking of Madras — Treaty broken by Dupleix — Attempt ou Fort St. David— Siege of Pondicherry 62

CHAPTER XIII.

Revenues of Bengal — Proceedings in England — Appointment of Supervisors — Distress of the Company — Bills regulating it— New Government of Bengal 98

Chapter V

Kingdom of Tanjore— Taking of Devi Cottah— Affairs of the Carnatic — Robert Clive — Hia Defence of Arcot — Further Successes of Clive — Defeats of the French- Treaty between the French and English — Treatment of Dupleix — Further Operations of the English— Ill-treatment of Bussy m 64

CHAPTER XIV.

Early History of Warren Hastings — New Mode of collecting the Revenue — New Courts of Justice — Arrest of Mohammed Reza Khan and Shitab Roy — Arrangement of the Nabob's Household — Emperor joins the Marattas — The Rohillas — Treaty of Benares — Treatment of the Emperor — Extermination of the Rohillas 100

Chapter VI

Subahdary of Bengal — Aliverdi Khan — Suraj-ud-dowlah — Capture of Calcutta — The Black Hole — Destruction of the Pirate Angria— Expedition to Bengal 70

CHAPTER XV.

Arrival of Members of Council — Quarrels with Hastings —Death of the Vizir — Abrogation of Treaty — Charges against Hastings — His Conduct — Execution of Nundcomar for Forgery — Death of Col. Monson — Hastings' tendered Resignation — His Exercise of Power— Reconciliation with Francis — Monstrous Pretensions of the Supreme Court — Appointment of the Chief- Justice to a new office — Duel between Hastings and Francis.. 103

Chapter VII

Retaking of Calcutta — Capture of Hooghly — Attack on the Subahdar's Camp— Capture of Chandernagore— Conspiracy against the Subahdar — Case of Omichund — Battle of Plassy— Death of Suraj-ud-dowlah — of Omichund „.... 78

Chapter VIII

War in the Carnatic— Relief of Trichinopoly— Arrival of Count Lally— Capture of Fort St. David— Invasion of Tanjore— Siege of Madras — Capture of Masulipatam — Mutiny in French Army — Arrival of Coote— Capture of Wandewash and Carangoly — Battle of Wandewaafa— Siege and Capture of Pondicherry— Destruction of the French Power in India — Fate of Lally 77

CHAPTER XVI.

Affairs of the Marattas — Treaty of Poorundur— Capitulation at Warg&m— March of Col. Goddard— Takes Sindia's Camp— Exploits of Capt. Popham— Capture of Gwalior— Of Bassein— Ascent of the Ghats— Treaties with the Marattas no CONTENTS. VII

CHAPTER XVII. PAGE CHAPTER XVIII.

PAGE Mohammed Ally's Agent in England— Powers given to Sir John Lindsay— Reduction of Tanjore — Mr. Paul Benfield— Arrest and Death of Lord Pigot— Strange Conduct of Hastings— Capture of the French Possessions—Quarrel with the Nizam— War with Hyder Ally— Destruction of Baillie's Detachment— Arrival of Coote — Defence of Wande wash— Victories of the English— Lord Macartney— Reduction of the Dutch Settlements — Destruction of Braithwaite's Detachment—Encounters of French and English Fleets — Storm and Famine at Madras— Death of Hyder— Death of Coote— Attack on Cuddalore — Dismissal of Gen. Stuart — Operations on West Coast — Surrender of Bednore— Of Mangelore — Peace with Tippoo 113 Treatment os Cheit Sing— Treaty of Chunar— Treatment os the Begums— Of Fyzoola Khan— The Nabob of Arcot — The Residency of Oude — Departure of Has tings — Succeeded by Mr. Macpherson 121

CHAPTER XIX.

Fox's India Bill— Pitt's India Bill— Board of Control- Nabob of Arcot's Debts— Impeachment of Hastings — His Character 125

Chapter I

page

CHAPTER VII.

page Lord Cornwallis appointed Govern orgen er al— Affairs of Oude— Tippoo's Invasion of Travancore — War resumed with him — Operations of the Army under Gen. Medows — Lord Cornwallis takes the Chief Command — Advance to Seringapatam — Retreat from that City — Reduction of Savandroog, and other hill-forts — Second Advance to Seringapatam — Attack on Tippoo's Lines — Preparations for the Siege — Treaty concluded with Tippoo — Departure of Lord Cornwallis — Sir John Shore Governor-general— Affairs of the Nizam — Death of Mohammed Ally— Affairs of Oude _ 128 Interference with Native States — Expedition to the Persian Gulf— Capture of Isle of Bourbon— Naval Disasters — Capture of Isle of France — Of Java — Decoity— Renewal of Company's Charter 156

CHAPTER VIII.

Origin of Nepfilese War— Plan of the War— Failure at Kalunga — Capture of that Fort— Failure at Jytak— Operations of Gen. Ochterlony— Of the third Division — Of the fourth Division — Surrender of Malan — Invasion of Nepal— Treaty of Peace.- „ 159

Chapter II. Chapter IX

Lord Mornington Governor-general— Intrigues of Tippoo — Arrangement with the Nizam— Fruitless Attempts to treat with Tippoo — Invasion of Mysore — Siege and Capture of Seringapatam — Death and Character of Tippoo — Settlement of Mysore— Dhoondia... 135 Maratta Affairs — Murder of Gangadhar Sastri — Attack on Bhopai — State of things at Maratta Courts— The Pindarries — They ravage the British Territory — Preparations for destroying them — Attack on the Residency of Poona — New Treaty with Sindia — British Troops attacked by the Cholera Morbus — Attack on Residency at Nagpur 161

Chapter III

Settlement of Tanjore— Of Surat— Of the Carnatic— Fate of Vizir Ally of Oude— Embassy to PerBia— Settlement of Oude— Expedition to Egypt— Disunion between the Governor-general and Court of Directors — College of Fort William 139

CHAPTER X.

Battle of Mahidpur— Final Reduction of the Pindarries — Pursuit of the Peishwa — Affair at Korijaon — Deposition of Peishwa— Battle of Ashti — Deposition of Apa Sahib — Surrender of Peishwa — Concluding Adventures of Apa Sahib, and Cheetoo, the Pindarri — Settlement of India — House of Palmer and Co. — King of Oude — Departure of Lord Hastings— Bishop Middleton Isi5

Chapter IV

Affairs of the Marattas — Treaty of Basse in — Commencement of Maratta War— Sindia's French Troops — Capture of Ahmednugur, Baroach, and Alyghur— Battle of Delhi — Delivery of the Emperor — Capture of Agra — Battle of Laswaree — Of Assye— Capture of Asseerghur — Battle of Argam — Capture of Gawylghur— Treaties with the Rajah of Berar and Sindia _,.. 142

CHAPTER XI.

Lord Amherst Governor-general— The Burman Empire — War with the Burmese — Capture of Rangoon— Progress of the War — March for Prome — Reduction of Donabew — Occupation of Prome — Reduction of Aracan — Successive Defeats of the Burmese — Conclusion of Peace — Mutiny at Barrakpore— Affairs of Bhurtpore — Capture and Demolition of the Fortress 168

Chapter V

War with Holkar— Col. Monson's Retreat — Siege of Delhi— Battle of Deeg— Rout of Holkar— Capture of Deeg — Siege of Bhurtpore — Conduct of Sindia — Resignation of the Marquis of Wellesley « 146

Chapter VI. Chapter XII

Lord Cornwallis Governor -general a second time — His System — His Death — Sir George Barlow Governor - ggneral— Hie Policy — Massacre at Vellore — Lord Minto Governor-general — The Sikhs— Rise of Runjeet Sing— The Afghans— Embassies to Persia — Case of Ruddy Rho, at Madras — Insurrection in Travancore— Mutiny of Officers of Madras Army 150 Lord William Bentinck Governor-general— His Reforms —Abolition of Suttee— Renewal of Company's Charter — Opening of the China-trade — Favour shown to the Indian Usurers — Disputes about Governor -generalship — Lord Auckland appointed — Disputed Succession in Oude — Deposition of Rajah of Sattara 1/2 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER XV.

The Retreat— Slaughter at Khoord-Cabul Pass— Delivery of the Women and Children — Massacre at the Tungee Tareekee — In the Jugdulluk Defile — Total Destruction of the Army — Defence of JellalabSd— Of Kandahar — Lord Ellenborough Governor-general — Loss of Ghuznee — Victory at JeDalabSd — Advance of Gen. Pollock —Re-occupation of C&bul— Advance of Gen. Nott — Destruction of Ghuznee — Recovery of the Captives — Evacuation of Afghanistan .... 184 Condition of Russia— Affairs of Cabul— Russian Intrigues—Resolution to restore Shah Shuj ah— Needless Apprehensions of the Influence of Russia — Army of the Indus — March to Kandahar — Capture of Ghuznee — Arrival at cabul — Withdrawal of Troops — Failure at Pishoot— Capture of Forts— Cowardice of Bengal Horsemen— Surrender of Dost Mohammed— Events at Kandahar — Prospects of the Country — March of Gen. Sale to Jellalabad 174

CHAPTER XVI. CHAPTER XIV.

Transactions in Sinde— Sir C. Napier sent thither— Attack on the Residency — Battle of Meeanee — Reduction of Sinde — Observations on that transaction — Affairs of Gwalior — Battle of Maharajpoor — Conclusion of Treaty — Sir Henry Hardinge Govtrnor-general— Death of Runjeet Sing — Affairs of the Punjab — Campaign of the Sutlej— Battle of Moodkee — of Ferozeshuhur— of Aliwal— of Sobraon— Treaties— Conclusion . 188 Description of Cabul, and the British Cantonment — Errors committed — Outbreak in Cabul— Loss of Commissariat Fort — Taking of Mohammed Shereefs Fort — Of Rika-Bashee Fort — Disasters — Action on the Behmaroo Hills — Loss of Mohammed Shereef's Fort —Negotiations for a Retreat— Murder of the Envoy — Conclusion of Treaty.... 179 ERRATA. Page 4, col. 2, line 29, for diameter read circumference. 6, chap. hi. line 6, dele the inhabitants of. HISTORY OF INDIA.

Part I. Mohammedan Dominion In India

the Garr&h, or united stream of the rivers Beyah and Sutlej, extends a wide sandy desert, like those of Africa or Arabia, as far as the Aravalli hills, which run northwards from the western extremity of the Vindhya range towards the city of Delhi. The whole of this tract, however, is not desert ; its south-eastern portion is remarkably fertile ; it con tains many oases, and the region along the Indus, and watered by that stream, which overflows an nually like the Nile, is rich and well inhabited. To the south of the Sandy Desert lie the two peninsulas of Cutch and Guzerat ; and to the north, and ex- I tending to the northern boundary of India, lies the fertile region named the Punjab, t. e. Five-rivers, from the five tributaries of the Indus, by which it is watered. Eastwards of the Aravalli range the country rises into an elevated plain, or table-land, to the height of about 2000 feet above the level of the sea.

On the south-east it is supported by hills proceeding from the Vindhya ranges, north-east it slopes into the basin of the Ganges. It is now known by the name of Central India. The country thence eastwards is the basin of the Ganges, including in it Bengal, which is not usually reckoned a part of Hindustan. It may be regarded as one great and extensive plain, though in some places the land rises above the general level. This region appears to have been the original seat of the civilization and power of India. In the Deckan, on the west, the valley of the river Nerbudda lies between the Vindhya and another parallel range named the Injadree or Sat poora, south of which range is the valley of the river Tapti. The land then rises into a table-land, extending to the extreme point of the peninsula ; it is of varied and undulating surface, in general fertile, but displaying at times tracts of sandy desert.

This table-land is supported on the west and east by ranges named the Ghats, of which the western is the higher, and approaches nearer to the sea-coast. On either side of the peninsula between the Ghats and the sea, are strips of land varying in breadth and in fertility. From that

Chapter I

Situation os India— Its Divisions — Hindustan — The Deckan Rivers — Climate — Natural Productions — Animals — Minerals. The country which, following the ancients, we name India ', lies in the eastern hemisphere, be tween the eighth and the thirty-fourth degrees of northern latitude, and the sixty-eighth and ninety second degrees of eastern longitude. Its length from north to south is about 1 900, and its greatest breadth from west to east about 1500 miles. It is bounded on the north by the lofty range of the Himalaya 3 mountains, on the west by the river Indus, on the east by the high lands eastwards of the Brahmaputra river, while its whole southern coast is washed by the waters of the Indian ocean. This region consists of two distinct parts, separated by a mountain range. The northern portion is a large oblong plain, the southern a triangular peninsula ; the former is named Hindustan, the latter the Deckan 3 ; the mountain range which di vides them is called the Vindliya mountains.

They commence near the peninsula of Guzerat, and run eastwards to the river Ganges. The only island of any magnitude on the coast of India is the great island of Ceylon, to the east of its southern ex tremity. The portion of India which we denominate Hin dustan, comprises the following regions. Eastwards of the Indus, from its mouth to its junction with > India is only the Latin name, the Greeks called It >'i 'IvitKii sc. in or x'»P«- I' was derived from that of the river named in Sanscrit Sindhu, i. e. river, of which the Persians made Hindhu, the Hebrews, ejecting n, as usual, Hodu (Esther i. 1), and the Ionian Greeks dropping the aspirate '_»a_.., and the people 'luioi. The Sanscrit name of the country between the Himalaya and the Vindhya mountains is Yambudwipa or Bharatakhanda. 2 Snow-mountains; from hima snow, and alaya abode.

Hence the Greeks named a part of the range Imaiis. ' The South ; in Sanscrit, Dakshina. B HISTORY OF INDIA. part of Hindustan where the eastern end of the Viudhya range sinks into the plain, an immense tract of forest stretches away southwards into the Deckan, till it reaches the river Godaveri. The rivers of India are numerous and copious. Those of Hindustan have their sources in the Himalaya and Vindhya mountains. From the former descend the Indus and its five tributaries, namely, the Jelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beyah, and the Sutlej i ; the Jumnah, the Ganges, the Cusi, and the Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. The latter sends forth the Chumbul, the Betwah, the Son, and others, all of which are received in the Jumnah and the Ganges. The rivers of the Deckan, inferior in magnitude to those of Hindustan, pour their waters into the sea on either coast of the peninsula, having their sources chiefly in the Vindhya aud the western Ghats.

On the west coasts are the mouths of the Nerbudda and the Tapti, the only streams of magnitude on this side ; on the east coast are those of the Mahanuddi, the Godaveri, the Kistna, the Palar, the Pannar, the Caveri, and others of less dimensions. The climate of India is of course various, owing to its extent and its difference of elevation ; but it is in general hotter than that of any part of Europe. The annual quantity of rain that falls in India is far beyond that of any country in this continent. The rain is periodical, and is brought by the mon soon, or south-west wind from the Indian ocean. On the west coast and in Hindustan the rainy season is from May till October, the hottest part of the year, and it is introduced by tremendous storms. At that time the Ganges and other rivers overflow and flood the country, the greater part of Bengal, for example, becoming like one huge lake.

Hence in the history we shall often find military operations interrupted by this season. The height of the Ghats and of the table-land prevent the eastern coast from feeling the early effects of the monsoon, and it is not till the month of October, when the monsoon blows from the north-east, that it receives its supply of rain. The vegetable productions of India are nume rous and valuable. The teak used in ship-building, the wonderful banyan-tree {Ficus Indicus), the cocoa, the various palms aud acacias, the bamboo which attains to such a prodigious size, and many other useful trees, are abundant. Numerous mul berries yield food to the silk-worm, the cotton-tree and cotton-shrub are every where to be seen, the ebony, the sandal, and other ornamental woods grow abundantly. India has also, from the most remote ages, been famed for its ginger, pepper, and other spices ; the indigo derives its name from India ; it is the native country of the sugar-cane.