Dossier BHH/1/83 - Letter from Pahalman (servant) to Brian Houghton Hodgson, [1853-1854]

Letter from Pahalman (servant) to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he gives an eyewitness report from Nepal after the seizure of power by Jang Bahadur in 1846. He congratulates Hodgson on his marriage (to Anne Scott) in England. He writes about Nepal's preparations for a war to be fought by the next year with Tibet etc. (Susan Hodgson's title description of this letter in the Autograph Book of Brian Hodgson refers to Pahalman as a servant in Nepal (back page of IXVI). However, from the content, language and style of writing of the letter it seems that Pahalman was not just a regular household servant, but rather a quite literate person either from northern India or possibly from Nepal Tarai. The letter also states that Pahalman was intending to leave Nepal but was advised by his son living in India to stay that year and wait until Hodgson came back from England. Thus Pahalman is likely to be a staff member at the British Residency in Kathmandu who was employed by Hodgson during his tenure and close to Hodgson and his family.) Handwritten in Khas (Hindi), 2 sides, dated [1853-1854]. With accompanying envelope, handwritten in English.

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