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The Stiff Upper Lip. Steely Eyes. A Cold Heart. This Has Been The Picture Of The English Imperialist Carried Through The Ages In Popular Imagination. Elizabeth Hamilton Brings Forth An Alternative Portrayal In Her Book, The Feringhees. Of A Quiet People, Dedicated To Upholding The Tradition Of Dispensing Justice, Avoiding Corruption And Conflict. Drawn From A Multiplicity Of Sources- Memoirs, Commentaries, Original Manuscripts And Family Letters, It Illustrates The Lives Of Two British Men Who Worked In The Indian Civil And Political Services, Replete With Descriptions Of The Social And Cultural Life As Well As Political Particulars Of The Time. Sir Robert Hamilton During The Rebellion Of 1857, And Sir William Barton In The First Part Of The Twentieth Century As The Movement For Independence Gained Momentum. Their Careers Are Set Alongside The Crucial Events Of Their Times, Forming A Lively And Readable Account Of A World That No Longer Exists, A World Now Accessible Only Through Fading Photographs And Yellowing Pages. Volume 1: The Proud Empire Traces The Life Of Sir Robert Hamilton, From When He Starts His Career Under The Watchful Eye Of His Ics Father, Up Till His Retirement, Wherein He Returns To England. This Exploration Opens Up Windows Into The Political Climate That Pervaded Large Parts Of India During The Mid 19th Century, Particularly In The Central Provinces. Occupying Multiple Roles Such As The Resident Of Indore, Agent To The Governor General In The Central Provinces, Political Adviser He Is Seen Interacting With Various Prominent Figures Of The Independence Movement Like The Rani Of Jhansi, Tantya Tope And Nana Sahib. The Picture Of The Arrogant Imperialist Fades Away To Be Replaced By Someone Keen To Make A Difference To The Society He Was Working In, Who Attempts To Encourage Good Governance, Mends Ties In The Midst Of Escalating Tension, And Must Recover Cities Occupied By Insurgents, All The While Shadowed By The Burden Of Great Per.
This book investigates the lived reality of British colonial administrators in India, challenging the monolithic stereotype of the cold, arrogant imperialist. Elizabeth Hamilton utilizes a diverse array of primary source materials, including personal memoirs, family letters, and original manuscripts, to construct a nuanced portrait of two specific figures within the Indian Civil and Political Services. By examining the careers of Sir Robert Hamilton and Sir William Barton, the author argues that these individuals were often motivated by a commitment to justice and administrative stability rather than mere exploitation. The text provides a detailed framework for understanding the intersection of personal duty and the broader political volatility of the 19th and 20th centuries in India.
What You Will Find
Historians and readers often note the book's success in humanizing colonial figures through the use of intimate, previously underutilized family archives. Experts highlight this work as a valuable resource for those interested in the granular, day-to-day operations of the British Raj rather than broad political narratives.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
1900-01-01
ISBN-10:
0199460116
ISBN-13:
9780199460113
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