Indian Antiquary Vol 57

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 12

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ JANUARY, 1928
records in his Guide to the India Office Records that in 1717 some of the "Company's packets and other papers were thrown on heaps in the Back Warehouse." Some more papers were destroyed during the years 1858-1860 and also in 1867. It cannot now be ascertained whether those two volumes were included in this destruction of what probably were valuable records.
Besides the authorities mentioned above, there are family records, such as correspondence by different members of the Norris family, from which additional glimpses of the embassy and of Sir William's family can be obtained. These records, entitled Norris Papers are now preserved in the Liverpool Public Library. They were described in an admirable article by Mr. R. Stewart-Brown, M.A., F.S.A., in the Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury (Sept. 6, 1921). The collection has been calendared at his instance and transferred to the Public Library from the Town Clerk's office. For over seventy years it had lain there unknown, except for a selection published in 1846 by the Chetham Society (vel. IX), under the editorship of Thomas Heywood, F.S.A., who remarked that “the MSS. here printed are a portion of a much larger collection made by several generations of the family of Norris of Speke." In fact, all the Norris Papers, as Mr. Stewart-Brown tells us,"cover a much wider field than would appear from a perusal of [the] Chetham Society's publication." Although there are only about six letters from Sir William himself, there are many which refer to him in one way or another. Some are concerned with his election to Parliament, his movements abroad, his expected return to England, and litigation arising out of his death. Further information regarding Sir William can be obtained from vol. IV of the Liverpool Town Books, of which only the first volume has so far been published.
The Persian and Arabic MSS. of that period do not contain much information bearing on Norris' mission, except that, as Professor Sarkar tells us, there are in Akhbarát-i-darbár-j. mu'alla" occasional references to the English, such as the visit of Sir William Norris, but no narrative of the dealings and negotiations with them. On the whole, the references are too brief to be of much use to us." It is, therefore, doubtful whether any substantial information on the subject, from the Indian point of view, can be gleaned from any State Papers of the Mughal Government.
There are also references to the mission in writings of contemporaries, such as Manuchi and Tillard, who contribute some valuable recollections. In many particulars they corroborate the accuracy of other authorities. The Dutch records at the Hague also contain references to the mission, but these are of little material assistance.
Indian students of their country's history are now realising the great heritage that has come down to them. From that heritage arises the duty of bringing to the light of day all forgotten periods of her history; for without a just estimate of India's past the position she aspires to gain to-day among the nations cannot be understood : and a proper appreciation of the justice of her claims must precede their voluntary concession. Boling broke declared that History is philosophy teaching by example." The Indian student will find in the varied record of his country, extending to those remote and nebulous periods, generally described as "the dawn of history," much to instruct him and much also to warn. The peoples of India taken as a whole have never enjoyed long periods of assured prosperity and happi. ness. Their lines have seldom fallen to them in pleasant places. They have learned their philosophy in difficult times and under hard conditions. But if they are to turn their experiences as a nation to account and profit by what they have endured they must study and fully comprehend the records left by those who have gone before. The lessons of history ought never to be ignored and each of its students must contribute to their elucidation. Much has been accomplished; much more remains to be done. Thus each Indian historical worker will further not merely the comprehension of his country, but also its recognition as a unit in the commonwealth of nations. For extension of historical knowledge is the surest basis of civilization throughout the world.