The writer of this Diary, Lieutenant John Pester, was one of my Mother's Uncles, and the original manuscript is with my cousin, Captain P. P. Phelps, of Littleton, Winchester, who kindly allowed me to have it copied. I have claimed the privilege of editing it not only as a relative, but also because of my close acquaintance with that part of India in which the scene is laid, for it happened that I was for many employed as the vicinity of Engineer of the Bhurtpore which most of the action related took place.<br><br>The gallant officer who wrote the Diary was born in 1778, and sailed from England in 1801 to join the forces of the Honourable East India Company.<br><br>A brief review of the political aspect of India at that period may serve to bring the events narrated into historical perspective.<br><br>The Mahrattas were then the most formidable of all the native powers with whom the Company had been in contact. During the two previous centuries they had gradually extended their inroads into the territories of the decaying Mogul Empire until they had possessed themselves of several large provinces, while their armies, though often defeated, returned as often to ravage the land and to extort tribute throughout the greater part of India.