Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Sleeman (1788–1856) spent his entire career in India, as an army officer and later as a magistrate and resident. He was best known for his fight to suppress the activities of 'thugs', bands of criminals who attacked, robbed and often murdered innocent travellers. By the time of the publication of this two-volume work in 1844, Sleeman had lived in India for more than thirty years. In Volume 1, he draws on his travels and experiences, and in 48 chapters discusses myriad aspects of Indian life, including Hinduism, local festivals and folklore, natural history and disease. In Volume 2 Sleeman examines many issues related to governance, such as land, tax, military discipline and the justice system. The work includes plates of some of the spectacular buildings that he visits.