In this 1822 work, Lieutenant Adam White (1790–1839) of the Bengal Native Infantry reviews the state of India under British rule, presenting arguments for and against colonisation, the activities of missionaries and the freedom of the Press. He also discusses the Indian Army and its recent activities in Nepal and against the Mahrattas, as well as the civil government. He explains in his preface that, having spent twelve years in India, he had no plans to write a book and had not collected any material for it, but a chance reading of Prinsep's account of Warren Hastings' administration changed that. White set out to 'amuse his leisure on board ship' back to Europe by refuting Prinsep's account, and attempting to offer the British public an alternative view of Hastings' rule. White was posted as political agent to Upper Assam, and was later killed in action at Sadiya.