Joseph Davey Cunningham, A History of the Sikhs, from the Origin of the Nation to the Battles of...

Joseph Davey Cunningham, A History of the Sikhs, from the Origin of the Nation to the Battles of the Sutlej John Murray, London, 1853 second edition, 473pp., two hand-coloured engraved maps, one folding, one folding genealogical tree of the Gurus, later gilt-stamped leather, marbled endpapers 215 x 148 mm. Footnotes: Provenance Formerly in the library at RAF Cosford, Albrighton, Staffordshire, UK, from March 1940 (front cover stamped in gold with RAF insignia). J. D. Cunningham (1812-51) was, as the title page has it, 'Late Captain of Engineers'. In 1837 he was appointed assistant to Colonel Claude Wade, the political agent for the Sikhs, and held various positions in the Punjab until 1845. When the first Anglo-Sikh War began in December of that year he was attached to the staff of Sir Charles Napier and then to that of Sir Hugh Gough, Commander-in-chief in India. He was present at the battles of Buddawal (22 January 1846) and Aliwal (28 January 1846). At Sobraon (10 February 1846), he served as an additional aide-de-camp to the Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge. Later he was political agent to the state of Bhopal from 1846 to 1850. The first edition of A History of the Sikhs contained criticism of Hardinge's actions in the conduct of the Anglo-Sikh War and this led to Cunningham's dismissal from the political service. The second edition appeared in 1853 after Cunningham's death at the age of 38 (which was supposed to have been partially caused by this disgrace). This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing