A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II

A tour of Oude in 1849 and 1850 supplies the framework for W. H. Sleeman's diary of government, landholding and everyday life. Written for the Government of India, the account sets out to describe the country's condition and the experiences of its people. The two volumes also include private correspondence concerning the proposed annexation of Oude to British India, giving the travel record a direct connection to political decisions.

Sleeman examines farmland, irrigation, district administration and disputes over estates, alongside pilgrimage, religious endowments and the movement of money between Oude and British territories. His discussion of pensions, army pay and investments helps explain the regional economy. These details offer material for readers interested in how a British official observed Indian society and assessed its rulers, linking observations of agriculture and public administration to discussion of court affairs.