Showing 6 results

Letter from Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he acknowledges Hodgson's letter sent from Darjeeling (Dārjiling) on VE 05/01/1912 (March, 1855), and asks for help with arrangements for English lessons and essential military education in Darjeeling for Jang's son-in-law, GajrajsingThapa. He promises to send descriptions of different ethnic languages and new specimens of birds and deer which were not included in the earlier drawings by Rajmansing Chitrakari. He reports on the causes and progress of the war with Tibet and mentions Minister Bambahadur, brother of JungBahadur. Letter has accompanying addressed and stamped envelope. Handwritten in Nepali, one side, dated VE 15/01/1912 (CE April 1855)

Letter from Jung Bahadur to Brian Houghton Hodgson with thanks to Hodgson for his letter dated 5th November giving news of Gajaraj Thapa and for taking good care of him. Letter also covers Gajaraj Thapa's education and training, Bahadur's desire to make Gajaraj fluent in spoken and written English, a promise to defray all and every expense incurred on account of Gajara's training, a description of the war with Tibet and his confidence of getting victory over the Tibetans if the Chinese army do not intervene in support of Tibet. The letter appears to have been written most probably by an Englishman for Jung Bahadur, following Jung's verbal dictation in Nepali, but it is signed by Jung Bahadur in Nepali. There is also an accompanying postscript to inform Hodgson that he has received the portrait of his son-in-law and to thank Hodgson for sending it. Handwritten in English with signature in Nepali, 4 sides + 1 side, dated 23 November 1855.

Letter from Jang Bahadur to Brian Houghton Hodgson acknowledging receipt of Hodgson's second letter sent from Darjeeling the previous month and giving information on Gajarajsing Thapa's preliminary arrangements for his study, early progress, general well-being. He reports on the ongoing Nepal-Tibet War and history of the dispute and apologises for not being able to send specimens of unique birds and animals because of the pressure of war. Hodgson's title note on the top and date of receipt (September 1, 1855) on the back. Handwritten in Nepali, 1 piece, dated VE 30/04/1912 (CE Aug. 1855).

Letter from Jung Bahadur to Brian Houghton Hodgson acknowledging the receipt of Hodgson's letter sent from Darjeeling on VE 14/02/1913. He sends a further report on Nepal-Tibet War and expresses his thanks to Hodgson for his arrangements for Gajaraja's education and training, happiness at the news of Gajaraja's good progress. He is making arrangements for drawing and painting of Buddhist deities by appointing Munshi Laxmidas and Ghananda (Shakya) Banda. He apologises for not being able to send the specimens of birds and animals again because of the spread of disease immediately after the end of war with Tibet but gives his assurance that he will send as many as can be found. Letter has accompanying stamped envelope addressed to Hodgson. Handwritten in Nepali, 1 side, dated VE 13/03/1913 (CE Jul. 1856).

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.

Translation of a letter from Jung Bahadur to Brian Houghton Hodgson to inform him of the resignation of Jung Bahadur from the Premiership and appointment of his brother Bambahadur to the post. He writes about his honorary title of Maharaja of Kaski and Lamjung in recognition of his success in the war with Tibet. He also writes about Buddhist tantrik drawings and paintings requested by Hodgson and sends condolences for the sudden death of Henry Hodgson with words in praise of Henry's character and a memory of the visit to Henry by Jung Bahadur and his entourage while they were in England. He promises to send samples of mineral water (dagdhi-nāsī) from the mountains of Nepal to Hodgson and requests that Gajaraj Thapa be sent back to Nepal. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated October 1856.