Subsérie RAS BMM/5/2 - Correspondence

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.

John Pinches Ltd was a London-based medallic business originally founded in the 1840s by Thomas Ryan Pinches and his younger brother John Pinches. In 1940, the company was registered as John Pinches (Medallists) Ltd. The company was sold to Franklin Mint of Philadelphia, USA, in 1969.

Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland, was an administrator in India, politician, and author. He served as Secretary of State for India from 1935 to 1937 and Secretary of State for India and Burma from 1937 to 1940. He was styled Lord Dundas until 1892 and Earl of Ronaldshay between 1892 and 1929.