| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Eugene A.H. Pierce, covering the period 1909-1947.
Cassette side OA1/52/1: Proposed solutions to Anglo-Indian problem in 1947; abandonment by British. Recollections of childhood in railway colonies at Mhow and Nimach. Reasons for pro- British Christian nature of Anglo-Indians. Role as backbone to British administration. Colour prejudice and community segregation illustrated in Bombay clubs. Father' bitterness arising from his railway career. Nature of Anglo-Indian jobs. Railway colonies. Move to Nimach cantonment on father's promotion.
Cassette side OA1/52/2: Nimach cantonment; local club and railway institute. Servants' duties. Widespread acceptance of bribes and gifts; opinions on Indian Civil Service involvement. Roadside railway stations; station master's acceptance of bribes. Description of Indian railway system: gauges; classes; fares; customers. Nature of office work and routine. Contrast of life in England without servants after living in India.
Cassette side OA1/52/3: Indian clerks' convoluted English. Informal nature of court case between father and his landlord. Nizam of Hyderabad's eccentricity; story illustrating power over subjects. Shooting game. Des-scription of Auxiliary Force India. Problems getting British nationality 1947. Enjoyment of AFI service. Story of armed burglary attempt. Mad dogs. Indian climate. Holidays. Relaxed observance of working hours permitted by cheap labour. Meeting Jinnah. Meeting Indian millionaire.
Cassette side OA1/52/4: Continues story of meeting Indian millionaire. Story of father selling rifle to Indian aristocrat. Shooting duck and geese. Wild boar. Prevalence of snakes. Sketchy and segregated Indian education system. Hockey. Recollections of St Joseph's School, Naini Tal: daily routine; corporal punishments. Description of B G Horniman, editor of 'Bombay Sentinel'. Quality of life in India. Opinion on Raj. Anglo-Indian reaction to independence.
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| Main author: |
Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
2 hr. approx.
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| Admin history: |
British civilian employee of Indian Railways and businessman in Bombay. |
| 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: C1510/52/01-04. 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: C1510/52/01-04
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004951/04 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/52/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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