| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Sir Ridgby Foster and Lady Nancy Foster, covering the period 1911-1947.
Cassette side OA1/30/1: Sir Ridgeby Foster's recollections of obtaining position with Imperial Chemical Industries, India. Voyage out; first impressions. Posting to Patna; disruption caused by 1934 Bihar earthquake. Posting to Madras area. Experiences touring; regional variations. Opportunities in India; types of recruits attracted. Learning about Indian agriculture and fertiliser requirements. Early responsibilities. Standard of living; bachelor 'chummeries'. Recreations: paper chasing; polo competitions and practice.
Cassette side OA1/30/2: Social divisions in commerce and trade; hierarchy of Calcutta clubs. Operations of managing agencies; abuses of system. Formation of Indian subsidiaries of British international companies. Development of British manufacturing in India: question of British exploitation; prejudice against promoting Indians; distribution of profits; benefits to India. Business attitudes towards Indians and Anglo-Indians. Absence of serious corruption. Explanation of term 'box wallah'.
Cassette side OA1/30/3: Daily routine of office worker in Bengal; improvements brought by air conditioning. Necessity of learning Hindi and Bengali. Business expeditions to bazaars. Evocative sounds of India. Indian temples. Lady Foster reflects on fullness of Indian life. Family connections with India; father's work as river superintendent. Description of river life. Childhood recollections; duties of ayahs and governesses.
Cassette side OA1/30/4: Duties of servants. Description of parents' house, gardens and servants' compound. Relationship with servants. Childhood recollections: games; Indian festivals and gods; picnics; holidays in Kashmir; clothes. Description of visits to bazaar. Typical childhood day. Description of bedroom and bathroom.
Cassette side OA1/30/5: Continues description of bathroom. House furniture. Clothes made by Indian tailors. Toys and reading materials. Visiting club as children. Christmas and Easter celebrations. Effects of climate. State of health. Travelling by train to hill stations. Recollections of Darjeeling. Servants' stories. Freedom of childhood. Reactions to education in England. Expectation of return to India. Up-country life. Social life in Calcutta. Enjoyment of riding; exploring country alone. Health of horses. Marriage and life in Calcutta.
Cassette side OA1/30/6: Setting up household; description of servants. Story of death of sweeper; employment of his son. Running household; trust in servants. Burglaries in Calcutta. Attitudes as independence approached. Advantages of living in India.
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| Main author: |
Foster; Sir; Albert Ridgby Foster (1907-1973); Knight; Chairman, ICI India |
| Other authors: |
Foster; Nancy (fl 1972); wife of Sir Ridgby Foster, Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
2 hr. 46 min.
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| Admin history: |
Chairman, ICI India. |
| 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: C1510/30/01-06. 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
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| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/30/01-06
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004929/06 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/30/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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