Overview

India and the subcontinent stimulated the curiosity of the British who came to India as traders. Each aspect of life in India — its people, customs, geography, climate, fauna and flora — was documented by British travelers, traders, administrators, soldiers to make sense to the European mind. As they ‘discovered’ India and occupied it, they also attempted to ‘civilise’ the natives. The present volumes focus on select aspects of the imperial archives: the accounts of “discovery” and exploration – fauna and flora, geography, climate – the people of the subcontinent, English domesticity and social life in the subcontinent, the wars and skirmishes – including the “Mutiny” of 1857-58 – and the “civilisational mission”. Volume 5 The ‘Civilisational Mission’ documents England’s social reform and other efforts at 'improving' the colonised. The British, like other Europeans in Africa and Asian colonies, explained, defended and promoted their presence and action by presenting themselves in the role of the civilisers.

Full Product Details

9789354356087

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Pramod K. Nayar teaches at the Department of English, University of Hyderabad, India.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available