Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-89) was one of the most renowned travelers of 17th century Europe. The son of a French Protestant who had fled Antwerp to escape religious persecution, Tavernier was a jewel merchant who between 1632 and 1668 made six voyages to the East. The countries he visited (most more than once) included present-day Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. In 1676 he published his two-volume Les six voyages de Jean Baptiste Tavernier (The six voyages of Jean Baptiste Tavernier). An abridged and very imperfect English translation of the book appeared in 1677. The first modern scholarly edition in English, presented here, was published in 1889, with translation, notes, and a biographical sketch of Tavernier by Dr. Valentine Ball (1843-95), a British civil servant with the Indian Geological Service. Among the most memorable chapters in the book are those that recount Tavernier's visits to the diamond mines of India and his inspection of the jewels of the Great Mogul. Tavernier was not a scholar or an educated linguist, and after his initial popularity in the 17th century his authority waned, as historians and others questioned the accuracy of his observations. In the 20th century, however, Tavernier's reputation rose, as such important historians as Lucien Febvre and Fernand Braudel used the detailed information he recorded about the prices and qualities of goods and about business and commercial practices in their pioneering studies of economic and social history. The book contains several appendices by Ball about famous diamonds (including the historic Koh-i-Noor Diamond now belonging to the British royal family), diamond mines in India and Borneo, ruby mines in Burma, and sapphire washings in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). A fold-out map shows Tavernier's voyages in India and the mines he visited.

After graduating from university, I travelled around India for the best part of 15 months. This book is a collection of essays produced from those travels. There is a focus on the practices of spirituality and meditation found in India, and also a commentary on the differences between the Western and South Asian approaches to life.

A guide to the beliefs and practices of India. The book introduces some of India's leading saints, sadhus and gurus, while chapters of Buddhist, Sufi and Christian India demonstrate the variety and complexity of religious traditions.

An 1889 translation of the account of his Indian travels by French merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-89).

This book is one of the most comprehensive of all travel books dedicated for the female traveller to India. It covers the most important aspect of travelling in India - safety. The fact that rapes in India is on the rise and foreign women are also at risk; the book is directed to those female travellers who are considering travelling to India on their own. The book has been designed taking the solo female traveller to India into consideration and the problems they face and how to overcome them; some of which include rape, verbal, sexual, physical assault and/or harassment, groping and other issues faced by foreign women in India. The book also gives an insight on how 'white women' are viewed by Indian men. The book covers major areas of safety including how to avoid rape, how to be safe in Indian hotels, what to wear, travelling alone and being safe in a country where women are often treated like objects rather than human beings. This book is a practical and essential resource for women travelling safely in India so that they can enjoy this magnificent country by overcoming their safety concerns. It's better to be safe than sorry. So pick up your copy of “India Travel Survival Guide For Women” today to prevent yourself from being targeted and make your life and travels in India easier.From the author:The book stems out of my experiences of travelling in India and around the world. I therefore hope to portray true pictures of the realities and issues facing travelling foreign women. My aims are to help overcome the issues faced by women travelling solo in India. This book will therefore be helpful to those who wish to travel alone or in groups.

The Rough Guide to India Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide, now with free eBook. Discover India with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to look for leopards in Kanha National Park, visit the world's greatest building, the Taj Mahal, or explore the immaculately preserved temples of Khajuraho, The Rough Guide to India will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to India: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to India - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Delhi, Mumbai and many more locations without needing to get online - Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the phenomenal Lotus Temple and the vibrant Pichola Lake - Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Gokarna, Udaipur and Madurai's best sights and top experiences - Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more - Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into India, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary - The ultimate travel tool: download the free eBook to access all this from your phone or tablet - Covers: Delhi; Rajasthan; Uttar Pradesh; Uttarakhand; Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; Himachal Pradesh; Jammu and Kashmir; Punjab and Haryana; Gujarat; Mumbai; Maharashtra; Goa; Kolkata and West Bengal; Bihar and Jharkhand; Sikkim; The Northeast; Odisha; Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; The Andaman Islands; Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Kamataka You may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Nepal, The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka, The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma) About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.