John Lang 
Wanderings in India, and Other Sketches of Life in Hindostan 

John Lang’s ‘Wanderings in India, and Other Sketches of Life in Hindostan’ is a captivating collection of travel tales and cultural observations set in India during the British Raj. Lang’s vivid descriptions transport the reader to exotic locales and provide insights into the customs and traditions of the indigenous populations. Written in a fluid and engaging style, this book is a valuable primary source for understanding colonial encounters in 19th-century India. John Lang, a renowned Australian writer and lawyer, spent several years living and working in India, which inspired him to write this fascinating collection. His keen eye for detail and deep interest in Indian society shine through in his narratives, offering readers a unique perspective on a bygone era. I highly recommend ‘Wanderings in India, and Other Sketches of Life in Hindostan’ to anyone interested in colonial history, travel literature, or cultural studies. Lang’s engaging storytelling and keen observations make this book a must-read for anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of India’s past.

A propos de l’auteur

John Lang (1816–1864) was an Australian-born writer and lawyer who gained prominence through his literary contributions that significantly reflect the life and culture of India during the British Raj. Notoriously remembered as one of the earliest novelists in English to have spent much of his career in India, Lang’s oeuvre offers a valuable glimpse into nineteenth-century colonial life with a blend of wit and keen observation. His book, ‘Wanderings in India, and Other Sketches of Life in Hindostan’, showcases his talent for capturing the dynamic between the colonizers and the colonized, and elucidates the social, political, and military milieu of the period. Lang’s writing is characterized by incisive satire and a narrative prowess that vividly portrays the complexities of the time. Despite the limited extent of his literary fame, scholars of postcolonial studies and Victorian literature appraise Lang’s contributions for the cultural and historical insight his works provide. In ‘Wanderings in India’, Lang’s style is refreshingly direct, offering narratives that both inform and entertain, and thus ensuring his position as a distinctive voice among the chroniclers of the British presence in India.