Dennis kincaid (1905- 1937), a civil servant in british india, arrived in bombay in 1928 to work with the courts. he was the elder son of charles augustus kincaid, a distinguished civil servant, and a wellknown novelist and historical writer. dennis too was a novelist. his cactus land was an unusual story, breaking with the conventions of indian novels of that period. he died on 10 june 1937, whilst his book, british social life in india 1608- 1937, remained not quite complete. the work was finished by his friend, david farrer.