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"Autograph Book belonging to Susan Hodgson, Alderley Grange, Wotton under Edge" A leather bound autograph book belonging to Hodgson's wife, Susan, in which are placed certificates, diplomas, academic and personal correspondence, newspaper cuttings and extracts related to Brian Houghton Hodgson's life. Leather binding with metal clasp. The book's binding is broken and some pages are loose. Care must be taken when using this item.

Letter from the Maharajah of Nepal (Crown Prince Surendra) to Brian Houghton Hodgson on his leaving Nepal. He sends best wishes for personal wellbeing and progress, praises Hodgson for his knowledge and its benefit to Nepal, the Nepalese and the rulers of Nepal and also for maintaining peace and friendship between British India and Nepal. He acknowledges Hodgson and Bhimsen Thapa's role in maintaining a smooth relationship between British India and Nepal; both powers are claimed to be the great governments (badā sarkār) in the region. Hodgson's note on the back of the letter stating "Rajah of Nepal's farewell letter to B. H. Hodgson" but Surendra was not the King of Nepal at the time of Hodgson's departure from Nepal - he was acting only as Crown Prince. Handwritten in Hindi with official stamp, Hodgson's note in English, dated December 1843.

Hodgson used much of his time in both Nepal and Darjeeling in research, wanting to discover and understand about the architecture, languages, ethnography, religion, zoology and botany. He collected specimens and manuscripts, and had many drawings made, which he donated to many collections throughout Europe. He was also politically involved during his Residency in Nepal, and also later in England, when he continued to show an active interest in the Indian subcontinent, particularly regarding trade and vernacular education. These Personal Papers reflect these interests and are a record of much of his activity - Hodgson and his wives seemed to have a need to record all his successes. He was also a keen annotator of material, so that most of the printed material also bears his handwritten comments.