xii, 398, [1] + 8 ad pp. With 10 lithographed plates including the frontispiece, 2 of them folding; 2 engraved plates. 8¾x5½, original green blindstamped cloth, spine lettered in gilt. First Edition.
Important account of Kabul, Afghanistan, shortly before the First Afghan War and the fateful retreat of the British from that city. "Bokhara" Burnes, as he was known for his travels north of the Oxus, was a key player in the Great Game. In 1836 he undertook a political mission to Dost Mahommed Khan at Kabul, and he advised his superiors to support the Dost on the Kabul throne. In this he was ignored, however, and the British replaced Dost Mohammed with Shah Soojah, and Burnes returned to Kabul as political agent. His best efforts were inadequate to stem the tide of insurrection, and in 1841 his was brutally assassinated along with his companions. The British forces attempted to flee the country, only to have their entire force of 15,000 men, women and children killed or captured, save but one. The plates include striking views of Kabul, the Dost, a portrait of Burnes, Beloochi mercenaries, tribesmen, and more.
Condition:
Some light rubbing to covers, mildew stains to rear, corners just showing, spine ends a bit chipped and frayed, 1" vertical split in spine cloth affecting the second "O" in Cabool; front endpaper, flyleaf and frontispiece neatly detached as a unit, very faint offset to the title-page, else very good or better, clean and fresh internally, rare thus.