There are a few books which do not fit into the confines of a genre. Although the tag of fiction does not entirely work for them, they have a mood and an aura which makes them look like a work of fiction. John Lang’s “Wanderings in Hindostan” written in 1860, belongs to such a category. John Lang is credited to be an Indophile, a historian, a journalist, and a writer. The book is an eclectic mix of stories. It is history, travelogue, diary, satire and fiction all rolled into one.
Readers will like this book chiefly for its originality, its antiquity and the vintage nature of the book’s sketches. Languidly and fondly recollecting his travels in India between 1850 and 1857 Lang narrates how the English men and women, civilian and military officers of the Crown and the Company spent their time in India. In their desperation to recreate an England, they had left far behind, they vainly sought redemption and repast in whist, fun and dance. The hills being cooler are always preferred for the plains. The heat and dust are a very common complaint. Lang finds the Asiatic to be cunning, craving attention and greedy. According to him the British are superior with a higher intelligence and administrative acumen. Hunting seems to be the chief sport for the Europeans in those days. Transport was by Palkee or horseback. There are several observations on the caste system in Indian life (Natives as they are called) Indian medicine and the elaborate procedure or formalities of an Indian court. Lang was a bigot and his opinion does justice to the European occupation of the colonies but his engaging, personal account of the mysteries, tales, intrigues and scandals of Hindostan reveals his love and affection for the land which he made his second home.
There are wonderful stories of a Mohammedan mother, the Himalayan club and the author’s meeting with Jhansi Lakshmi Bai whom he represented as an advocate in the case related to the doctrine of lapse. Given the dearth of books which chronicle the social history of India in the 19th century, this book will certainly interest the reader. It comes with a lovely and succinct introduction by Ruskin Bond who landed in Mussoorie in 1964 exactly 100 years after Lang had passed away. What the book establishes firmly is the indelible mark, the Britishers had left on India and how intricately connected their social life was with the so called “Natives” exploiting and exploitative or condescending at best. (To be continued)