Wikipedia:Today's featured article/December 19, 2012

James Tod (1782–1835) was an English officer of the British East India Company and an Oriental scholar. He combined his official role and his amateur interests to create a series of works about the history and geography of India, particularly the area then known as Rajputana (present-day Rajasthan). He travelled to India in 1799 as a cadet in the Bengal Army and rose quickly in rank. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, during which Tod was involved in the intelligence department, he was appointed Political Agent for some areas of Rajputana. His task was to help unify the region under the control of the East India Company. While Tod was initially successful, his methods were questioned. Over time, his work was restricted and his areas of oversight were significantly curtailed. In 1823, due to declining health and reputation, Tod resigned and returned to England. He then published a number of academic works about India, based on materials collected during his travels. His major works have been criticised as inaccurate and biased. However, he is highly regarded in some areas of India and his accounts of India in general and the Rajputs in particular had a significant impact on British views for many years. (Full article...)

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