A couple of years ago the National Archives of India launched a ‘Reprint Series’. The intent was to make high quality published books accessible to the present-day readers. Many of the original editions of those books are to be found in our collection at the National Archives of India.

I am delighted that Primus Books has responded to our appeal and reprinted Village, Town, and Jungle Life in India by A.C. Newcombe. I trust this will generate greater interest in reprinting classics published under the Raj.

In an article in ‘The Calcutta Review’ of January 1893 on “Cold Weather Visitors in India,” after commenting on the mistakes made by one of them, the writer remarks that such crude and undigested impressions of India are useless and mischievous, and that, as they pass muster at home for real facts, perhaps more might be done to place a true picture of the state of things before our countrymen. He suggests that a few who have passed much of their lives in India might record the facts “before Indian impressions have had time to fade away, and while they are still surrounded by all the local colour.”

My long experience of life in that country between 1874 and 1902 in many parts—town and jungle, hills and plains—has enabled me to collect much detailed information.

I have arranged these notes in the hope that they may be interesting to those about to proceed to India, and to many who stay at home.