The long Strider

Now that I have decided that I will continue for some longer regarding travelogues, Let me get on with my next book. Well It is a little known and probably not that well known book by the name "The long strider". Authored by Sarayu Srivatsa and Dom Moraes it is a travelogue set in mid 17th century. The time when King Henry the sixth ruled England, and Jehangir ruled India.
This book traces the footsteps of Thomas Coryate a English explorer who walked his way into India from England, walking on from France, Germany, Italy, onwards through the Arabian peninsula, passing through the badlands of Afghanistan and finally to India.
He explores the different places like Kashi, Agra, Ajmer, Surat, Rishikesh, Haridwar and so on. He speaks the language of the native Indian but he thinks as a westerner. He speaks of the multitude of religions, the social system, the agricultural system and rulers. He also speaks of mundane things like food, weather, clothing and so on enabling the reader to portray in his imagination. Finally he dies near Surat having decided on going to England but falling for the dreaded diarrhea.

All in all a great book. The writers notes during the travels are also included and it provides a contrast between how it was then and how it is now. The reading style is a bit boring and so I would say not the best choice If you are choosing it as a first time read.