Asia, the First Part being an Accurate Description of Persia, and the Several Provinces thereof. The Vast Empire of the Great Mogol, and other Parts of India: and their Kingdoms and Regions:

A handsome copy of Ogilby's Asia describing Persia, Central Asia, and India. Despite describing itself as part one it is considered complete in itself, and not required to be paired with the volume concerning China and Japan.

The text is largely a translation of Olfert Dapper's Asia (1672) but was still highly influential in shaping Western relations with India as it describes the height of the Mughal Empire from original Jesuit and Dutch sources. The work was also produced just at the start of growing East India Company presence in India: in 1661 Charles II acquired the islands of Bombay, and leased them to the Company in 1668.

The description of India contains a rich description of Shah Jahan and his court at Lahore, the culture and economics of the Mughal Empire, and includes chapters on the Punjab, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. It also spends time attempting to give a history of the Mughals, and a comprehensive description of Hindu belief including the creation story of Brahma and the ten avatars of Vishnu.

First edition; folio (41.5 x 28 cm); 29 plates including frontispiece, 12 of which double page, 5 maps, of which 4 double page and 1 folding, and 30 in-text quarter-page engravings, small marginal tear to first text leaf not affecting text, single spot to pages 218-222 not affecting engravings, a few plates lightly toned, armorial bookplates to pastedown; contemporary panelled mottled calf, spine in seven elaborately gilt compartments with gilt red morocco lettering piece, all edges marbled, cracked upper joint restored, small split to lower joint, a very good copy; [xii], 256, [19]pp.

Brunet IV, 174; Cox I, 275; ESTC R32245; Ghani p. 285; Wilson p. 161; Wing O166.