Goa and the Blue Mountains; or, Six months of sick leave

Name: Goa and the Blue Mountains; or, Six months of sick leave
Author: Sir Richard Francis Burton

By Sir Richard Francis Burton

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Travel Writing

About This Book

A travel narrative recounts a six-month recuperative tour along India’s western coast and into the Nilgiri hills, combining sea voyages, town sketches, and mountain impressions. It opens with a vivid depiction of coastal craft and shipboard life, then shifts to comparative portraits of New and Old Goa and detailed reports on Panjim, Seroda, Calicut, and Malabar. The account documents religious and social customs among Hindu, Muslim, and mixed communities, considers education and professions, and describes marketplaces, domestic arrangements, and everyday urban and rural habits. A land journey culminates in extended observations of Ootacamund and the Nilgiris before the final departure.

About the Author

Sir Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was a British explorer, geographer, and linguist known for his adventurous spirit and extensive travels. He is particularly recognized for his explorations in Africa and the Middle East, including his notable work, "Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah," which details his journey to the holy cities of Islam. Burton was also an accomplished translator and contributed significantly to the understanding of various cultures through his writings, such as "The Book of the Sword" and "The Jew, The Gypsy and El Islam." His diverse interests and expertise in languages made him a prominent figure in the 19th-century exploration narrative.