Buchanan’s Journey
There is no better way to describe Buchanan’s Journey than reproducing the title of his book.
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS
THROUGH THE COUNTRIES OF
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR,
FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE STATE OF
AGRICULTURE, ARTS, AND COMMERCE; THE RELIGION, MANNERS,
AND CUSTOMS; THE HISTORY NATURAL AND CIVIL, AND
ANTIQUITIES,
IN THE DOMINION OF
THE RAJAH OF MYSORE,
AND THE COUNTRIES ACQUIRED BY
THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY
IN THE LATE AND FORMER WARS, FROM TIPPOO SULTAN
IN THREE VOLUMES.
The volumes were published in 1807 based on the survey undertaken by Buchanan between 1800 and 1801. While it may not be the first ever survey of erstwhile Mysore, it definitely was the last one conducted for this region at the end of cusp of colonialism. Writing a long essay on the Journey here would serve no purpose as there are many commentaries available that describe his survey in addition to the original volumes freely available on the internet. What struck us while retracing his Journey was Buchanan’s eye for detail in his recordings and descriptions. There is so much for the reader to ponder upon making a single reading rather insufficient. At several instances, the reader may sometimes find a sense of colonial arrogance creeping into the narrative but it would be unfortunate to dismiss this monumental survey only because of the surveyor’s status.
Buchanan’s Journey is an indispensable repository of information for anyone interested in a historical understanding of the development process and the complexities of change.