The author toured India as a member of the Famine Commission, after the great famine in India in 1876-7. "In traversing the country with the Members of the Commission, men eminent in their respective provinces, and two of them native gentlemen holding high office under native Princes, an unusually favourable opportunity for observation of the Land the the People was afforded" - from the Preface. Folding map has the "Route of Famine Commission" printed in red.