A Popular Account of the Manners and Customs of India

"A Popular Account of the Manners and Customs of India" by Charles Acland is a window into 19th-century India, showcasing the lives and experiences of Europeans adjusting to the subcontinent. Through the eyes of Acland, a clergyman who served as a chaplain, readers gain insights into the daily routines, cultural practices, and interactions within colonial Indian society. The narrative begins with Acland’s voyage from England to Madras, filled with vivid descriptions of the climate, landscapes, and initial encounters with native people. The book uncovers the customs and traditions that shape Indian culture, from the use of servants to the social etiquette practiced among locals and foreigners, painting a portrait of how the British and Indian populations navigated a world both vibrant and challenging. Woven with personal anecdotes and heartfelt reflections on family back home, the account offers an intimate perspective on life in India during the colonial era.