Sir John Malcolm’s work on the history of India 1784 -1823. A fine copy.

Malcolm, Major-General Sir John, G.C.B., F.R.S., &. &. &.: The Political History of India from 1783 to 1823. John Murray [London] 1826 2 volumes 8vo. Vol I: xii, 593pp, [i Errata]; vol II: iv, 324pp, cccii [Appendix]. Contemporary full light tan calf gilt with red and black labels gilt & elaborately gilt panelled spine, slight wear at extremities but an excellent, attractive set with marbled endpapers and matching edges, armorial bookplates of Sir Robert North Collie Hamilton. Bart. The text blocks are clean and firm with no other previous ownership markings. An exceptionally good set with an interesting provenance. A much expanded work following, and incorporating the first five chapters of the author’s Sketch of Political India published some fifteen years earlier. The work is dedicated to the Duke of Wellington, with whom Malcom had served in India and with whom he corresponded freely.      Aug12/1

Sir Robert North Collie Hamilton, K.C.B., 6^th Baronet of Silverton Hill, Lanarkshire [1802-1887] went from Haileybury to an East India Company writership. First posted to Benares [where his father Sir Frederick was deputy opium agent] , he later became Commissioner at Agra, Resident to Holkar at Indore and from 1854 Agent to the Governor General in Central India. On furlough in England at the outbreak of the Mutiny in 1857, he hastened back to his post arriving in August in Calcutta where Lord Canning asked him to draw up a plan for restoring order to Central India – one adopted by Sir Colin Campbell. He went with Sir Hugh Rose’s column through Central India from Bombay being present at all the battles. He was responsible for quelling the rising at Jhansi and succeeded in pacifying Gwalior. Earning the medal with clasp he was also created K.C.B. for his services and appointed to the Council before retiring in ill health in 1860.