From India to England and Back: Early Indian Travel Narratives for Indian Readers

Abstract

Asians as well as Europeans composed travel narratives about distant lands during the early modern period. In light of current debates about the nature of modernity, Michael H. Fisher explores in this article the first four travel accounts written by Indians about Britain intended for Indian readers, considering these authors' backgrounds, approaches, and selected content. All four authors emerged from the Persianate class of Muslim scholar-officials that struggled to maintain its socio-political position in the face of expanding British colonialism. While these authors recognized British technical, political, and military achievements, they also contested British assertions of cultural superiority, particularly concerning religion and gender relations.