| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Lakshmi Mazumdar, covering the period 1923-1936.
Cassette side OA1/46/1: Recruitment to Girl Guides 1923; parents' disapproval. Background of family opposition to Raj. Tutoring villagers to influence Simon Commission with aim of getting votes for women. Arranged marriage to Indian Civil Service officer 1930. Shared conditions living in tents with British ICS officers on probationary posting; effect on Mazumdar's opinion of British. British and Indian attitudes to servants. British lifestyle: eating; drinking; clothes; shopping; holidays. Touring in Bengal.
Cassette side OA1/46/2: Recollections of British eccentrics. Hunting parties. British attitude to Indian culture. Entertaining British officers. Superior attitude of British. Relationship with British women. Learning English. British ICS officers' command of Indian languages. British morality. Unwritten rules. British misfits who had problems adjusting in India.
Cassette side OA1/46/3: Indian confidence in British judicial system. Superior attitude of Indian ruling class inherited from British. Story of learning table etiquette with help of Sir John Anderson, governor of Calcutta; his friendliness. Effect of hill station life on British women; their daily routine. View of government as ICS officer's wife. Recollections of political trouble in Nepal c1930 and Bengal c1936. Travelling by palanguin and bicycle.
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| Main author: |
Mazumdar; Lakshmi (fl 1923-1972); National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
1 hr. 17 min.
|
| Admin history: |
Indian wife of officer in Indian Civil Service and National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides. |
| Access status: |
Closed
|
| 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: C1510/46/01-03. 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: C1510/46/01-03
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004945/03 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/46/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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