The very rare first French edition of Craufurd's (1743-1819) description of India and its people, first published in English the previous year as Sketches chiefly relating to the history, religion, learning, and manners, of the Hindoos. The present rarity of the work may be due to a very small print run of only 20 copies, the University of Leeds being the only other copy traced in Britain. Craufurd extensively describes Hindustani culture as well as other topics such as the caste system, politics, public buildings, fortifications and the homes of the Rajas. He also gives a concise account of the present state of the native powers in India. Craufurd, from Kilwinning in Ayrshire, joined the East India Company in 1760 and was able to exploit his company position to make a considerable fortune, which he would later use to establish himself in French high society in the 1780s. His connections ran to the royal family, and he was closely involved in attempts to rescue Marie Antoinette from the Revolution.