The Tiger and the Ruby : A Journey to the Other Side of British India

In 1841, Nigel Halleck left Britain as a clerk in the East India Company. He served in the colonial administration for eight years before leaving his post, eventually disappearing in the mountain kingdom of Nepal, never to be heard from again. A century-and-a-half later, Kief Hillsbery, Nigel's nephew many times removed, sets out to unravel the mystery. Tracing his ancestor's journey across the subcontinent, his quest takes him from Lahore to Calcutta, and finally to the palaces of Kathmandu. What emerges is an unexpected personal chapter in the history of the British Empire in India. In 1841, Nigel Halleck left Britain to become a clerk in the East India Company. He served in the colonial administration for eight years before leaving his post, eventually disappearing in the mountain kingdom of Nepal, never to be heard from again.A century-and-a-half later, Kief Hillsbery, Nigel's nephew many times removed, sets out on a quest to discover what happened to his ancestor. Through beguiling prose, he transports us to a time and place deep in the heart of British and Indian history, weaving together a clash of civilizations and uncovering the moving tale of one man against an empire .. In 1841, Nigel Halleck left Britain to become a clerk in the East India Company. He served in the colonial administration for eight years before leaving his post, eventually disappearing in the mountain kingdom of Nepal, never to be heard from again. A century-and-a-half later, Kief Hillsbery, Nigel's nephew many times removed, sets out on a quest to discover what happened to his ancestor. Through beguiling prose, he transports us to a time and place deep in the heart of British and Indian history, weaving together a clash of civilizations and uncovering the moving tale of one man against an empire A beautifully written, personal history as Kief Hillsbery sets out to discover what happened to his ancestor who disappeared in Nepal over 150 years ago