Interview with Sir Percival Griffiths [sound recording]

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 regi...

Full description

Archive & Special Collections OA1/31/1-4 Closed

Date(s) of creation: 1972-1974
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian
Other authors: Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer

collection SOAS Archive
id OA1.31.1-4
recordtype archive
scb_item_location Archive & Special Collections
item_location Archive & Special Collections
scb_loan_type Reference only
callnumber OA1/31/1-4
callnumber_txt OA1/31/1-4
callnumber-sort OA1/31/1-4
prefix_number 1-4
title Interview with Sir Percival Griffiths [sound recording]
scb_date_creation 1972-1974
scb_level Item
level_sort 8/Collection/Sub-Collection/Sub-Sub-Collection/Sub-Sub-Sub-Collection/Series/Sub-Series/Sub-Sub-Series/File/Item
scb_extent 2 hr. approx.
author Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian
author_facet Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
authorStr Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian
author_letter Griffiths; Sir; Percival Joseph (1899-1992); Knight; colonial administrator, businessman and historian
author2 Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
author2Str Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
format Archive
scb_admin_history British civilian District Officer in Indian Civil Service, based Bengal, Kalimpong, Dacca, Calcutta.
description 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.
scb_access_status Closed
scb_conditions_gov_access 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.
scb_copyright Copyright held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
scb_use_restrictions Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist
language English
language_search English
scb_copies Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/31/01-04 Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004930/04
scb_related_material Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/31/T
hierarchy_top_id_raw OA1
hierarchy_sequence OA1.0031.001-4

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