Four years in Upper Burma

In this vivid first‑hand account, a British civil servant spends four years traveling through the hills and river valleys of Upper Burma shortly after its annexation. He records the bustling streets of Mandalay, the solemn grandeur of Buddhist pagodas, and the daily rhythms of villages along the Irrawaddy, painting a picture of a land caught between tradition and the encroaching influence of empire. The narrative blends careful observation of architecture, customs, and the complex interactions between the British administration and the local Shan and Burman peoples.

Beyond travel notes, the author reflects on the challenges of governing a newly acquired territory, from the administration of opium and liquor trade to the attempts at introducing education and health services. He also offers a thoughtful, if occasionally paternalistic, view of missionary work and the role of the Gospel in what he sees as the region’s path to “civilisation.” The book provides listeners with a layered portrait of a fascinating culture at a pivotal moment in its history.