| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Sir Percival Griffiths, covering the period 1922-1947.
Cassette side OA1/31/1: Opinions on British Raj. Voyage to India after joining Indian Civil Service; first impressions. Recollections of train journey; stations en route. ICS training in Dacca region. Clothing superstitions: topees; spine pads; cholera belts. Life in first subdivision station: accommodation; health precautions. Value of servants; their duties. Managing household as bachelor. Work as magistrate: problem of prosecuting dacoits; false witnesses.
Cassette side OA1/31/2: Question of corruption; Griffiths' refusal of bribes. Touring in Bengal; avoiding health risks. Improving health of British. Indian climate: dry and wet climates; Bengal climate; cyclones; northwesters. Recreational interests. Recollections of Kalimpong service; candour of hill people. Affection for both hill people and Bengalis. Experiences in charge of Dacca Court of Wards: extensive touring; responsibilities. Levels of European society; colourful characters. Tension between Hindus and Muslims; 1930 Dacca riots.
Cassette side OA1/31/3: Efforts to prevent and control riots as district officer. Opinions on Amritsar incident and its effects. Origins of non-cooperation campaign in belief British transfers of power were spurious; difficulties it posed. Reasons Bengal was a centre of terrorism. Combatting terrorists as district magistrate; importance of intelligence systems. Experiences in Indian Legislative Assembly; retirement from ICS to join Legislative Assembly. Aloof attitudes of ICS: dislike of businessmen; hierarchy of officials.
Cassette side OA1/31/4: Backgrounds of officials, businessmen and planters. Social divisions in Calcutta. Position of Anglo- Indians. Contrasts of wealth and poverty in Calcutta. Separation from family. Advantages of India. Evocative sights and sounds of India. Opinion that partition was inevitable; hearing views of Jinnah. Benefits to India and Britain of Raj.
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| Main author: |
Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
2 hr. approx.
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| Admin history: |
British civilian District Officer in Indian Civil Service, based Bengal, Kalimpong, Dacca, Calcutta. |
| 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: C1510/31/01-04. 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
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| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/31/01-04
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004930/04 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/31/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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