| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Sir John Dring, covering the period 1923-1947.
Cassette side OA1/27/1: Special position of North West Frontier. Childhood recollections of India. Reasons for returning to India. Joining Guides Cavalry 1923; story of reception in Mardan. Mess life. Daily routine. Relationship with Indian troops and viceroy's commissioned officers. Regimental parades. Cavalry and polo horses. Continuation of regimental traditions after independence. Reasons for transfer to Indian Political Service 1927. Opinion on relationship between Indian Civil Service and military. Method of entry to IPS.
Cassette side OA1/27/2: Description of Indian language tutors. Appointment as assistant political officer in North Waziristan to organise picketing of roads. Duties and accommodation. Touring as district officer; NWF climate. Combatting activities of Red Shirts in Charsadda 1930. Story of appointment as assistant private secretary to Viceroy. Experience of central government. Attending execution. Being shot at as political officer. Social life in Simla; Lady Willingdon's passion for mauve.
Cassette side OA1/27/3: Recollections of viceregal functions: investitures; balls; shoots. Government connections with Maharajahs. Popularity of riding. Description of morning rides, polo and local hunts. Description of Peshawar. Posting to South Waziristan as political agent 1939. Begins story of punitive raid in Razmak region.
Cassette side OA1/27/4: Continues story of raid: its disastrous nature; origin of unrest in Kabul; eventual success; reparations and bombardment of Makin. Role of political agent in minimising hostilities and enforcing tribal responsibilities. Retrieving unexploded bombs from Mahsuds. Relationship of political agents with Pathans; local characters. Lack of prejudice against Indians in ICS. Disapproval of 'Quit India' campaign. Opinion that partition inevitable in circumstances of independence. Indian officer's acceptance of increased responsibility. Recollections of Sir George Cunningham. Enjoyment of Indian service.
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| Main author: |
Dring; Sir; Arthur John (1902-1991); Knight; colonial administrator |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
2 hr. approx.
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| Admin history: |
British officer in Guides Cavalry 1923-1927 and civilian Political Agent in Indian Political Service. |
| Access status: |
Closed
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| Access conditions: |
Access to sound recording of this interview is currently unavailable at SOAS Library. The transcript can be consulted. Researchers can access a copy of this sound recording at the British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/27/01-04. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418.
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| Copyright: |
Copyright held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |
| User restrictions: |
Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist |
| Language: |
English
|
| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/27/01-04
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004926/04 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/27/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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