Political Mission to Bootan

The Canon of literature concerning Bhutan in the nineteenth century is very small. This most uncommon work, is the most exhaustive account, and begins with a historical overview of British relations with the country (54pp.) by collecting four different narratives. Firstly that of The Hon. Ashley Eden who was in charge of the mission which left Darjeeling in November 1863; his report ends ominously."The friendship of this Government has been deliberately rejected and we have now no option as to the course we must pursue." The second account contains the report by Captain R. Boileau Pemberton who lead a diplomatic mission in 1837-38, along with Dr. William Griffith’s observations on the same mission. The latter was a man of fortnight views, as when speaking of the Bhutanese whom he did not hold in high regard:"In a word, they will understand they are tolerated by-not the equals of-the gigantic British Power". The final section is a translation of a text by Baboo Kishen Kant Bose.