Histoire d'Ayder-Ali-Khan, ou nouveaux mémoires sur l'Inde

The rare first edition, illustrated with a folding colored map.
Contemporary full marbled brown sheep bindings. Decorated smooth spines. Red morocco title and volume labels. Head of volume 2 slightly worn. Small lack at head of volume 1. Corners slightly bumped and trimmed.
Important testimony by Maistre de la Tour, French military mercenary who entered the service of Haidar Ali, Sultan of Mysore (1720-1782). He is described on the title page as: general of ten thousand men of the Mogul empire, & formerly commander-in-chief of the artillery of Ayder-Ali's army, & a corps of European troops, in the pay of this Nabob. The author's account revolves around two themes: presenting a positive image of Haidar and criticizing the English position, particularly against French interests. Often presented as a despot, Haydar Ali was considered a significant figure by French authorities due to his military successes against the English in the war between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British.