Imperial bodies : the physical experience of the Raj : c. 1800-1947

This innovative volume demonstrates that the body was central to the construction and maintenance of British authority in India. Imperial Bodies explores ways in which the transformation of the British presence in India between 1800 and 1947 involved and relied upon changes in the way the British in India managed, disciplined and displayed their bodies. The move from commerce to control, and then to imperialism and Empire corresponded to a shift in bodily norms. As the nineteenth century progressed, an openness and interest in India gave way to a ban on things Indian. The British rejected curries for tinned ham, cool white clothing for black broadcloth and Indian mistresses for English wives. By the twentieth century, the British official had been transformed into an upright, decent representative of British virtues whose task was to bring civilization to India. By the late nineteenth century, racial theory focused attention on the physique to such an extent that the body became a distinct category within official discourse, regarded as an instrument of rule. The body was used symbolically during Raj ceremonial, and even the pith helmet worn by officials was turned from a reminder of British vulnerability in the tropics into a symbol of British power. Through an in-depth discussion of texts and practices, the body is introduced into the historical account as an active social principle: a force in the construction of social inequalities along lines of race and class. Drawing on a wide range of sources including government records, newspapers, private letters, medical handbooks and cookery books, E.M. Collingham paints a vivid picture of the life and manners of the British in India. This important contribution to both British and imperial history will appeal to students and scholars of cultural and colonial history.

This innovative volume demonstrates that the body was central to the construction and maintenance of British authority in India. Imperial Bodies explores ways in which the transformation of the British presence in India between 1800 and 1947 involved and relied upon changes in the way the British in India managed, disciplined and displayed their bodies. The move from commerce to control, and then to imperialism and Empire corresponded to a shift in bodily norms. As the nineteenth century progressed, an openness and interest in India gave way to a ban on things Indian. The British rejected curries for tinned ham, cool white clothing for black broadcloth and Indian mistresses for English wives. By the twentieth century, the British official had been transformed into an upright, decent representative of British virtues whose task was to bring civilization to India.


By the late nineteenth century, racial theory focused attention on the physique to such an extent that the body became a distinct category within official discourse, regarded as an instrument of rule. The body was used symbolically during Raj ceremonial, and even the pith helmet worn by officials was turned from a reminder of British vulnerability in the tropics into a symbol of British power.


Through an in-depth discussion of texts and practices, the body is introduced into the historical account as an active social principle: a force in the construction of social inequalities along lines of race and class. Drawing on a wide range of sources including government records, newspapers, private letters, medical handbooks and cookery books, E.M. Collingham paints a vivid picture of the life andmanners of the British in India.


This important contribution to both British and imperial history will appeal to students and scholars of cultural and colonial history.

Booknews

In this study, Collingham (Cambridge U.) considers the British body in India during colonial times. The author traces "the transformation of the early 19th century nabob from the flamboyant, effeminate and wealthy East India Company servant, open to Indian influence and into whose self-identity India was incorporated, to the sahib, a sober, bureaucratic representative of the Crown"(from the introduction). Distributed by Blackwell Publishers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This Volume Demonstrates That The Body Was Central To The Construction And Maintenance Of British Authority In India. Imperial Bodies Explores Ways In Which The Transformation Of The British Presence In India Between 1800 And 1947 Involved And Relied Upon Changes In The Way The British In India Managed, Disciplined And Displayed Their Bodies. The Move From Commerce To Control, And Then To Imperialism And Empire Corresponded To A Shift In Bodily Norms. As The Nineteenth Century Progressed, An Openness And Interest In India Gave Way To A Ban On Things Indian. The British Rejected Curries For Tinned Ham, Cool White Clothing For Black Broadcloth And Indian Mistresses For English Wives. By The Twentieth Century, The British Official Had Been Transformed Into An Upright, Decent Representative Of British Virtues Whose Task Was To Bring Civilization To India. Through An In-depth Discussion Of Texts And Practices, The Body Is Introduced Into The History Of The Raj As An Active Social Principle: A Force In The Construction Of Social Inequalities Along Lines Of Race And Class. Drawing On A Wide Range Of Sources Including Government Records, Newspapers, Private Letters, Medical Handbook And Cookery Books, E.m. Collingham Paints A Vivid Picture Of The Life And Manners Of The British In India. This Contribution To Both British And Imperial History Will Be Of Practical Interest To Students And Scholars Of Cultural And Colonial History.--jacket. The Nabob, C. 1800-1857. The Indianized Body ; The Anglicization Of The Body ; The Limits Of Anglicization -- The Sahib, 1858-1939. The Sahib As An Instrument Of Rule ; The Social Body -- Epilogue: The Dissolution Of The Anglo-indian Body, 1939-1947. E.m. Collingham. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [240]-269) And Index.