Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 1) (London, 1835)

viii

PREFACE TO

that a knowledge of the general condition of the
countries through which I was to travel, would
be useful to the British Government, independent
of other advantages which might be expected from
such a journey.

The hazardous nature of the expedition, and the
mode in which it could be best accomplished,
required consideration. It would have been objec-
tionable, and highly imprudent, to have entered the
countries lying between India and Europe, as I had
voyaged on the Indus, an accredited agent; and I
was directed to appear (which I myself had sug-
gested) as a private individual.

I was furnished with passports as a Captain in
the British army returning to Europe, drawn out
in French, English, and Persian ; and in such terms
as would satisfy the people of my real character;
and show, at the same time, that Government was
interested in my good treatment.

Every other arrangement regarding the journey
was left to myself; and I received the sanction of
the Governor-general to associate with me Ensign
John Leckie — a young officer of the most buoyant
disposition, who had been the companion of my
voyage up the Indus. On the eve of departure,
my fellow-traveller was recalled by the Government
of Bombay. Believing that his place might be well
supplied by a medical gentleman, which I thought
would facilitate our progress through such countries,
I gave to Mr. James Gerard, a Surgeon of the
Bengal army, the option to accompany me. That
gentleman had passed most of his life in India, in