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"Report on Visit to the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, M D McWilliam, Director, SOAS" - report covering an overview, background, current activity, and collaboration programme of the Asiatic Society, made after McWilliam's visit to the Society, 6 pages.

Correspondence concerning the identification of the portrait, The reception of Lord Amherst by Rup Lal Mallick, by William Henry Florio Hutchisson. The painting, at the time of the correspondence, was owned by Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks. The material consists of:

• A photograph of the painting mounted on brown card.
• Letter from Major V. Hodson to Sir Patrick Cadell to give his opinion on who might be present in the painting. He recognises Colonel Duncan Macleod and names other possibilities. With the letter is a pencil sketch of some of the figures and his identification of those numbered. He also writes of a possible date and occasion. Typed letter, dated 13 July, 1947.
• Letter from Sir Patrick Cadell to Sir Richard Winstedt to write of the information he has obtained from Major Hodson. The letter records that the photo was sent to Winstedt by a Mr Sheppard. He also adds thoughts from other sources, but admits beyond the information he's provided he cannot help further. He suggests contacting C.E.A.W. Oldham or W. Foster. Handwritten letter, 7 sides, dated 18 July 1947.
• Note from Sir Richard Winstedt to Sir William Foster to ask him if he might be interested in the material and be able to identify the painter. Handwritten on Royal Asiatic Society headed paper, dated 30 August 1947.
• Letter from Sir William Foster to Sir Richard Winstedt in which he suggests that the artist might be William Henry Florio Hutchisson. Typed letter, dated 1 August 1947 (Probably 1 September 1947).
• Letter from Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks to Major Sheppard in which he writes of new information that he acquired about the picture from a book he had been lent by a Mrs Brabazon with reminiscences of her ancestor, General Sir George Bell. In the book is an account of an event in 1827 in Calcutta which fits with the details of the painting. This dates also fits with the time that Franks' great-grandfather was in India. The description gives clues to other people present and that the event was hosted by Rup Lal Mallick. With the letter is a typed copy of the appropriate section from Bell's memoirs. Typed, 4 sides, dated 16 September 1947.
• Letter from Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks to Sir Richard Winstedt to update him on the material that has been found describing the events of the painting. He invites Winstedt to view the painting if ever in Ireland. With his letter he sends a list entitled 'Notes on colour of uniforms, etc, with reference to numbers on tracing'. Typed, dated 22 September 1947.

"The Asiatic Society, 198th Annual General Meeting, February 1, 1982, Presidential Address, Dr. P. C. Gupta" - printed pamphlet containing the address.

The main item in these papers is the Letter Book, complied by Richard Macan concerned with the sale of the estate of the late Major Turner Macan. There is also a note written by Richard Macan and some modern research notes on the Letter Book and Turner Macan's biography.

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.

Notice from S.K. Saraswati, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society, to inform that by Order of the Council, at its meeting on 21 July 1958 it was decided to combine the two series of the journal into one to be named the Journal of the Asiatic Society.

Two newspaper articles concerning the Asiatic Society. These are:

"Police raid Asiatic Society premises" concerning a police raid in connection with some stolen gold coins. From the Indian Express, New Delhi, 22 August 1996.

"Fallen Angels: Original paintings in the Asiatic Society rot for lack of space and funds" concerning the reportedly poor condition of some of the Society's Collections. From www.travel-india.com/new/1998/fallenangels.htm (no longer available on the internet)

"Extracts from Asiatick Researches, Volume the First, Calcutta MDCCLXXXVIII, Issued on the inaugural ceremony of Institute of Higher Sanskrit Studies & Research by Giana Zail Singh, President of India on August 3, 1985, at Calcutta". Printed pamphlet published by Dr Chandan Roy Chaudhuri, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society. Two copies.

Extract from the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (No. 62, N.S.) to report on the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society for February 1844. The monthly meeting on the 6 February had been an occasion on which Members were afforded an opportunity to express their sentiments on the departure of Hodgson. Printed material, 1 partial copy of 3 sides, 1 fuller extract which includes more details of Hodgson's life and works, 4 sides. Also printed testimonials to Hodgson from the Journal for October 1844, printed material, 8 sides.

"A Descriptive Catalogue of the Paintings, Statues, Framed Prints, Copper Plates and Other Curiosities in he Rooms of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, by C.R. Wilson, M.A., corrected up to April 1897." Pamphlet describing the Society's collections, published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1897.