This volume contains copies of, or extracts from, letters sent to the Royal Asiatic Society between 1846 and 1852. They are written into a leather-bound volume with the title 'Extracts' on its front cover. Besides the letters which cover 93 pages, there are subsequently some rough pencil notes and a diagram in a different hand (possibly a child's) followed by blank pages and an index at the end of the manuscript.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, England'Extract of a Letter from Captain M. Kittoe, dated Benares (Varanasi) 8 Oct. 1847, addressed to Col. Sykes' in which he writes that James Prinseps has suggested that he support the Asiatic Society in Bengal, otherwise he would send his communications directly to the Royal Asiatic Society. He writes of the controversy as to whether Hindu or Buddhist archaeology in India has the greater antiquity and suggests both parties may be right, though he favours Buddhist as the more ancient. He writes that he is currently in Benares and of his explorations.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Extract of a letter from Captain Kittoe, addressed to Colonel Sykes, dated Behar (Bihar), 31 March 1848' in which he writes of his difficulties in collecting inscriptions in the area. He has visited one which gives a long list of Guptas. He has found some Buddhist inscriptions in good condition which he describes.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Extract of a letter from Capt. Kittoe, addressed to Colonel Sykes, dated Gya, 2 March 1848' in which he writes that he fears little will be done that year as the weather is too hot and the authorities need to give permission. He sends with the letter some copies of inscriptions he has already done. He gives some details of these inscriptions and their locations. He also writes that he has 'a beauty of a model of a Siva temple of the 8th or 9th century which I promised at Benares'. He will restore that and others before sending to Sykes. He writes that he is reading H.H. Wilson's 'Vishnu Purana' in which he finds many of his own opinions confirmed.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Extract of a letter addressed to Colonel Sykes by Capt. Kittoe, dated Benares (Varanasi), 21 January 1849' in which he apologises for not writing sooner but he had delayed in the hope of sending more discoveries. In this he is disappointed but goes to Raja Griha and hopes that will change. He has for several months been examining 'a fine collection of Inscriptions from Bundelkhand and Gwalior' sent by Captain Ellis but he is finding difficulties in interpreting them. He is also working on an inscription from Sarnath. He describes what he has discovered so far. Kittoe hopes to be able to go into Nepal to look at Buddhist temples. He writes some of what he's learnt about Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. Kittoe also hopes that when he has finished work at the College he will be able to visit the Western Caves. He is not sending his report awaiting more illustrations. Finally, he writes of the work of Captain A. Cunningham and how Kittoe thinks he is in error.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Extract from a letter of Capt. M. Kittoe, addressed to Colonel Sykes, dated Chunar, 18 January 1848' in which he writes of his forthcoming journey during which he hopes to collect items for the Society's museum. Despite poor health he has been steadily making progress with the inscriptions and writes of some he has with him and his attempts at translation.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Extract from a letter addressed to Col. Sykes by Captn. M. Kittoe dated Sherghatti (Sherghati), 3 December 1846' in which he writes of his exploring in 'Gaya' and finding antiquities with inscriptions which he believes relate to gifts from rich people and the building of Hindu temples. He has copied the inscriptions and hopes to interpret them.
He has only found four or five fragments of Buddhist architecture but many small sculptural stones. He has sketched one find (copy of sketch is present) and describes others. He asks Sykes to compare with his notes on the caves at Ellora. At Bodh Gaya he has found many fragments of Buddhist sculptures which he also describes and compares with others. He has also discovered another Asoka pillar at 'Bakremee', the site of an ancient city. It is broken into pieces but describes it and its connections with other excavations and objects.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Copy of a letter from Captain Kittoe, addressed to Colonel Sykes. Dated Gya, 2 March 1848' which seems to be a copy of much of RAS GOV7/19. Kittoe writes of his interaction with the local Brahmins and that he sends copies of inscriptions.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853'Copy of a letter addressed to Colonel Sykes by Captain Kittoe (no place or date)' in which he writes that he has just returned from a tour along the bank of the Gandak. He has spent several months examining inscriptions made by Captain R.W. Ellis, Political Assistant in Bundelkund. He is currently having them translated into English. He is becoming convinced that ancient Pali was the first written character in Central India.
Kittoe also writes about the architectural details and sculpture discoveries that he has been making of both Buddhist and Brahmanical buildings giving descriptions of them and their inscriptions. There are also some pencil sketches with the copy of the letter to further aid his descriptions. He writes of having been in Allahabad as well as Bupau, Patna and back to the Benares (Varanasi) area.
Kittoe Markham 1808-1853