Sir Hyde Clarenden Gowan was born to a prestigious English family and in1902 he entered the Indian Civil Service to embark upon a career ruling the country.

​

Sir Hyde rose from the position of under-secretary to become an important figure of the British Empire. Sir Hyde spent his entire 36-year career in the Central Provinces and Berar (an area roughly the size of present-day Spain), becoming Governor in 1933.

​

Sir Hyde held the post of Governor during one of the most turbulent periods of Indian history. Tensions between Muslim and Hindu groups divided the country whilst nationalists such as Mahatma Gandhi fought for India's independence from Britain.

​

During these turbulent times 4 Indians were establishing themselves in the English parliament as MPs, Dadabhai Naoroji, Mancherjee Bhownaggree, Shapurji Saklatvala and Satyendra Sinha and changing the face of democracy both in India and in Britain forever.

​

Around this time, the Government of India Act of 1935 was passed which forever changed the face of Indian society and the role of governors in the country.

​

In this book his diaries are reprinted in their entirety alongside some of his speeches. The diaries reveal the great man behind the Governor, the delights and difficulties of his position and an insight into Indian history and life never to be repeated.