He combined his official role and his amateur interests to create a series of works about the history and geography of India, and in particular the area then known as Rajputana that corresponds to the present day state of Rajasthan , and which Tod referred to as Rajast'han. Tod was born in London and educated in Scotland. He rose quickly in rank, eventually becoming captain of an escort for an envoy in a Sindian royal court.
After the Third Anglo-Maratha War , during which Tod was involved in the intelligence department, he was appointed Political Agent for some areas of Rajputana. His task was to help unify the region under the control of the East India Company.
During this period Tod conducted most of the research that he would later publish. Tod was initially successful in his official role, but his methods were questioned by other members of the East India Company. Over time, his work was restricted and his areas of oversight were significantly curtailed. In , owing to declining health and reputation, Tod resigned his post as Political Agent and returned to England.
Back home in England, Tod published a number of academic works about Indian history and geography, most notably Annals and Antiquities of Rajast'han , based on materials collected during his travels. He retired from the military in , and married Julia Clutterbuck that same year.
He died in , aged Tod was born in Islington , London, on 20 March As with many people of Scots descent who sought adventure and success at that time, Tod joined the British East India Company [ 6 ] and initially spent some time studying at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. By he had achieved promotion to the rank of captain and was commanding the escort. Rather than being situated permanently in one place, the royal court was moved around the kingdom.
