John Fergusson: Journals of Indian Expeditions

The volume begins with 'Lieutenant Ferguson's journal through the Western Junguls', the daily journal of a military reconnaissance against the 'Jungul Zermindars' in the vicinity of Midnapore, West Bengal, 2 February - 31 May [1769]. The account describes the villages and terrain through which Fergusson passed, with tables of distances covered and detailed descriptions of the forts which he visited en route. At the back of the volume is an anonymous 'Journal of a circuit round the Western Junguls, commencing 22 February 1769', describing an expedition from Midnapore into the surrounding country, 22 February - 18 March 1769. The account gives details of the terrain and villages through which the expedition passed, together with detailed notes on the systems of land tenure, local crops and prices of farm products.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Purchased from A.R. Heath, December 1998.

There is a detailed description of the collection in the Additional Manuscripts Catalogue, available in the Manuscripts Reading Room.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.