| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Lady Frances Smyth, covering the period 1908-1942.
Cassette side OA1/62/1: Childhood recollections of India. Breaking tradition of women spending hot season in hill stations. Slightly alien position of women in India. Different attitudes of army and civilian wives. Education in England. Return to India 1925. Parents' bungalow; methods of keeping cool. Description of health precautions. Routine during hot season; recreations. Importance of trees in Indian life. Bird shooting in cold season.
Cassette side OA1/62/2: Relationship with servants. Contacts with Indian women. Differing characters of British and Indians. Social life on return to India. Hill station permissiveness. Gossip. Chit system. Married men's attitude to affairs. Position of women in India. Meeting socially acceptable Indians. Limited experiences of arts. Evocations of India; heightened sensual awareness. Importance of water in India. Work of cook. Pride in achievements of Raj. Conforming to traditional behaviour of British women.
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| Main author: |
Smyth; Lady; Frances Mary Blair Read (fl 1908-1972); née Chambers, wife of Sir John George Smyth |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
1 hr. approx. (sound cassette: analog)..
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| Admin history: |
British civilian wife of officer in Indian Army 1908-1942 |
| 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: C1510/62/01-02. 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: C1510/62/01-02
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004961/02 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/62/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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