Interview with Rupert E. M. Mayne [sound recording]

Audio recording of oral history interview with Rupert E. M. Mayne, covering the period 1910-1947. Cassette side OA1/45/1: Account of career in India. Childhood in India and Britain; determination to return to India. Extensive family connections with India. Dislike of parents' attitudes towards Indi...

Full description

Archive & Special Collections OA1/45/1-7 Closed

Date(s) of creation: 1972-1974
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Mayne; Rupert Eric Mosley (1910-2001); businessman
Other authors: Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer

collection SOAS Archive
id OA1.45.1-7
recordtype archive
scb_item_location Archive & Special Collections
item_location Archive & Special Collections
scb_loan_type Reference only
callnumber OA1/45/1-7
callnumber_txt OA1/45/1-7
callnumber-sort OA1/45/1-7
prefix_number 1-7
title Interview with Rupert E. M. Mayne [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 3 hr. 17 min.
author Mayne; Rupert Eric Mosley (1910-2001); businessman
author_facet Mayne; Rupert Eric Mosley (1910-2001); businessman
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
authorStr Mayne; Rupert Eric Mosley (1910-2001); businessman
author_letter Mayne; Rupert Eric Mosley (1910-2001); businessman
author2 Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
author2Str Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
format Archive
scb_admin_history British businessman in India in jute and oil.
description Audio recording of oral history interview with Rupert E. M. Mayne, covering the period 1910-1947. Cassette side OA1/45/1: Account of career in India. Childhood in India and Britain; determination to return to India. Extensive family connections with India. Dislike of parents' attitudes towards Indians; contrast with Mayne's own identification with India on returning to work in jute industry 1932. Discrimination against Indians joining clubs; later relaxation. Lower levels of British society: trade; 'box wallahs'; 'jute wallahs'. Bribery. Cassette side OA1/45/2: Cases of British corruption. Voyage to India; arrival 1932. Importance of bearer; recollections of long serving bearers. Working in jute mill: daily routine; long weekends. Life at upcountry headquarters, Chandpur. Description of river expeditions buying raw jute; country boat and bicycle journeys to areas inaccessible by launch. Isolated conditions; recreations. Cassette side OA1/45/3: Enjoyment of river expeditions. Attitudes to drinking and sex. Recollections of bearer; household arrangements; food. Drinking habits. Clothing. Father's advice about India. Methods of keeping cool. Court case in which Mayne's illustrious ancestors impressed magistrate. Christmas celebrations. Departure of British troops 1947. Effects of heat. Visiting Jashpur on journey from Sambalpur to Ranchi; meeting local political agent; later frequent visits to area. Cassette side OA1/45/4: Visit to Sarguja Territory: Indian amazement at wife's red hair; story of political agent being mauled by tiger. Hunting experiences; stories of shooting dangerous panthers for villagers. Amusing incidents and misunderstandings with servants. Hospitality received visiting bazaars on business. Recollections of Indian forest officer. Emotional meeting with soldiers of uncle's old regiment. Cassette side OA1/45/5: Meeting Nehru after independence. Learning Hindi and Bengali; using regional greetings to promote goodwill. Exploring and climbing in mountains during vacations. Evocative sounds and smells of India. Stench of bodies during Calcutta massacres 1946. Terrorist attacks in Bengal after 1930. Admiration for Percivai Griffiths who took over Midnapore post of Indian Civil Service after murder of predecessors. Story of attack on Mayne's launch whilst buying jute. Investigating Bengal famine as intelligence officer 1944. Cassette side OA1/45/6: Continues story of Bengal famine: awful conditions; corruption in relief supply distribution. Recollections of Calcutta massacre 1946. Situation in August 1947; belief Mountbatten was correct in his actions. Massacres, famine and fighting after independence as Hindus and Muslims migrated; feeling of helplessness. British position after independence. Importance of protocol. Story of Mayne's breach of protocol. Cassette side OA1/45/7: British business community: isolation from 'real' India; lifestyle. Standards of morality. Use of hill stations in hot weather; wet conditions at Cherrapunji. General disapproval of mixed marriages. Achievements of Raj. Mayne's enjoyment of his Indian service.
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: C1510/45/01-07. 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: C1510/45/01-07 Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004944/07
scb_related_material Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/45/T
hierarchy_top_id_raw OA1
hierarchy_sequence OA1.0045.001-7

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