Wanderings of a pilgrim in search of the picturesque, Volume 1 (of 2) : $b During four-and-twenty years in the east; with revelations of life in the zenāna

"Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque, Volume 1" by فاني پارکس is a travel memoir written in the mid-19th century. This narrative chronicles the author's extensive travels through India and the East over a span of twenty-four years, capturing the picturesque landscapes, cultures, and unique experiences encountered along the way. The author, a European woman, provides insight into her adventures, emphasizing both the beauty and challenges of her journey. The opening of the memoir details the author’s departure from England in April 1822 aboard the ship “Marchioness of Ely,” as she and her husband prepare for their voyage to Bengal. The author reflects on her emotional departure, marveling at the beauty of Switzerland and recalling memories of her childhood home. The narrative transitions into her experiences at sea, describing the camaraderie among fellow passengers, including soldiers of the 16th Lancers, and a variety of amusing maritime events, including the rituals of crossing the equator. The initial chapters set a vibrant scene of travel, exploration, and personal reflection, laying the groundwork for the rich adventures that are to unfold in the East. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Fanny Parkes or Parks (1794–1875) was a travel writer from Wales, known for her extensive journals about colonial India, where she lived for 24 years. These are recorded in her memoirs Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque. in which she acknowledged authorship only by a signature in Urdu script. In 1970, extracts from her memoirs, Begums, Thugs and White Mughals, became available for the first time since their original appearance in 1850. The first biography, by Barbara Eaton, Fanny Parks: Intrepid Memsahib, appeared in 2018.