From The Backcover Of 'Panjab, Central Asia And The First Afghan War' By Hari Ram Gupta 

THE BOOK throws a flood of light on a specific period of history (1831-46) of Punjab and Central Asia. In the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, who wrote the Foreword to its first edition, the book gives intimate and revealing glimpses of the early days of British rule in no India, of the Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, of the British campaigns through Sind and in Afghanistan, of the disasters in Kabul and of the prevailing conditions in Central Asia in the thirties of the 19th century.

It is based on Mohan Lal's Journal and his numerous unpublished reports, papers and diaries. Mohan Lal was the first Kashmiri to learn English and probably the first Indian to educate his daughter in England. He was a precocious young man imbued with a spirit of adventure and gifted in the art of diplomacy. He was employed by the British when he was only 19, but was obliged to retire at the age of 32 on a pension of £ 1000 p.a.

Apart from being an indispensable work for the students and scholars of history, it is a fascinating study of the economic and social conditions of that time.

The second edition of the book has been thoroughly revised. It contains two chapters on Mohan Lal, two chapters on Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Punjab, eleven chapters on the First Afghan War, and one cha each on Central Asia and Mohan Lal's visit to Europe.

About The Author Of The Book 'Panjab, Central Asia And The First Afghan War'

THE AUTHOR, DR Hari Ram Gupta (born on Feb. 5, 1902), is a celebrated historian. He has written 14 research volumes mainly on the Punjab history. He got his education at Lahore and earned the degree of Ph.D. and D.Litt. in 1937 and 1944, respectively. After the Independence, he appointed Professor and Head of the History Department at the newly started, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is known for his original research, and continues to teach and write as the 'Grand Old Man' of 85 plus.