An account of the primitive tribes and monuments of the Nilagiris. By the late James...

Imprint: London: Indian Museum, 1873. Wm. H. Allen and Co., 13, Waterloo Place, S.W. Publishers to the India Office. Quarto, quarter leather and blue buckram library binding (rebound) measuring 340 x 260 mm; pp. viii, 137; containing 80 pasted-in albumen print illustrations (some varnished). Plates 1-32 show groups and individuals of Nilgiri Hill tribes (Todas, Irulas, Badagas, Kurumbas and Kotas), village scenes, and activities; plates 33-82 show cromlechs (dolmens), cairns and barrows in the Nilgiris investigated by Breeks. The volume was only in draft form at the time of Breeks' death in July 1872 and the work was completed by his widow, who in her preface makes the following comments on the photography: 'The illustrations, unfortunately, are for the most part indifferently executed. Mr Breeks's object was to furnish the Government with the information they desired in as perfect a form as possible, without any great expense; and he therefore intended to have a few copies of a very complete set of photographs. No good photographer, however, was willing to supply these at a reasonable rate; and as the expense of the excavations left little to spare for illustrations, Mr Breeks was obliged to engage a photographer from the School of Arts at Madras, whose performances were by no means satisfactory.'The preface to the work also includes extracts from the Madras Public Proceedings which record the origins of the work. The proceedings for 14 June 1871 include a letter from the Indian Museum, Calcutta to the Secretary to Government, Madras, dated 27 May 1871, which states that 'the attention of the Trustees has recently been directed to the importance of directing a section of the Indian Museum to illustrations of the of the state of the arts among the aboriginal and other jungle races in India and its Dependencies. With this view, it is desired to obtain collections of arms, ornaments, dresses, household utensils, tools, agricultural implements, musical instruments, and indeed all objects that are the product of their own manufacturing skill, and that will serve to illustrate the habits and modes of life of those indigenous races that have remained but little affected by foreign civilization. It is unnecessary to dilate upon the interest that would attach to such a collection, both as leading to a knowledge of the habits of the less-known tribes in this part of Her Majesty's dominions, and as affording materials for a comparative study of the arts practised by races in an early stage of social development...In order to carry out these objects, I am desired to solicit through you the assistance of the officers under your Government, who, being employed among, or in the neighborhood of, aboriginal tribes, or in places where ancient cairns and burial places are known to exist, may enjoy facilities for obtaining objects of the kinds enumerated...' In response to this request, the Madras Government Order of 14 June 1871, noted that the Governor considered that such a collection 'would be very interesting and useful in the Madras Central Museum and well as in the Indian Museum, and he resolves, therefore, to request the Superintendent of the Central Museum, the Collectors of the several districts in the Provinces, and the Commissioner of the Nilagiris, to report what can be done to procure the desired collections, and the probable cost of doing so.' Breeks's reply, as Commissioner of the Nilgiris, dated 3 July 1871, noted that 'I am glad the matter is receiving attention, late in the day as it is, for year by year the Nilagiri tribes at any rate are abandoning their distinctive customs. For example, among the Todas infanticide has been put a stop to; polyandry is on the decline; their buffalo sacrifices at the dry funeral are curtailed, and create comparatively little interest. Some few of the rising generation take service on plantations, and one or two have even asked for a school. With all the tribes, I believe, drink and disease are on the increase. Amongst a people in so low a state of civilization, a very few years serve to efface all traces of a custom that has been given up; whilst a careful examination into their existing condition and habits, affords the only hope of arriving at their origin and past history.' Breeks therefore outlined a programme of research that would encompass the four main Nilgiri tribes, the Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas and Irulas. The work would be carried out under six main headings:1. To collect examples of dress, weapons, tools, musical instruments, etc.2. To photograph the tribes and their villages.3. To record details of language, customs and ceremonies.4. To record legends and histories.5. To collect objects and sculptures from dolmens, barrows and other burial sites.6. To obtain drawings of ancient sculptures found at burial sites.Breeks's proposed programme was approved by Government Order of 19 July 1871 and his research completed and a rough draft largely completed by mid-1872. After his death on 6 June 1872, his widow put this draft into the final published form, noting in her preface that 'Hardly any revision, however, has been attempted, and to this any omissions (or perhaps errors in minor points which may occur in this book, are attributable.' According to the preface, Breeks had intended 'to print only twelve or fiften copies for the Madras Government, and the present extended edition is published by their orders.'.

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