Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde: Accompanied by a Geographical and Historical Account of those Countries

Pottinger, Sir Henry, 1 st Baronet. "Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde; Accompanied by a Geographical and Historical Account of those Countries". London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, [&c], 1816, 4to (26cm x 21cm), pp. Xxx, 423. Hand-colored Frontispiece, large (26 3/4" x 36 3/4") folding engraved map of Beloochistan and Sinde, hand colored in outline, contained in the rear pocket. The binding is later 3/4 Morocco, spine lettered in gilt. Minor wear to spine and covers. Top outer margins to title and dedication pages incised and expertly repaired. The text block is tight and clean with no spotting or inscriptions. The only markings are the small ovals of the Oriental Club on the lower spine and prelims. The large folding map has three open creases, 2" to 3" long as seen in photo.

Pottinger was in the East India Company's army and later a colonial governor. He acquired various Indian languages. As an ensign he was part of a mission sent to Sinde in 1808. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1809 and in 1810 was sent on a mission to Persia with his fellow-officer Captain Charles Christie. They traveled in disguise to Nushki and then split up at the Afghanistan-Baluchistan border. Christie went North and Pottinger West to Kerman, Shiraz and then Esfahan. Pottinger and Christie travelled more than 2000 miles through a very hostile and uncharted terrain. Pottinger returned to Bombay via Baghdad, and this is an account of his journey. Their mission brought fame and recognition to both men for the valuable intelligence they had compiled. Their research and mapping of the regions of Balochistan, Sinde and Persia was important because of fears that Russia might try to invade India. Afterwards Pottinger rose to the rank of Colonel, and became the Resident Administrator of Sindh and later Hyderabad before returning to England in 1839. He later held postings in China and became the first Governor of Hong Kong. After further government positions he finally retired from a long career in public service in Malta.