| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with B.H. Zaidi, covering the period 1898-1947.
Cassette side OA1/75/1: Brief biographical review. Early contacts with British teachers and local officials. Recollections of boat train journey to England; social position as Indian. Segregation of British station society from all but Anglicised Indians. Description of British bungalows; household servants; their relationship with British. British efforts to maintain standards and lifestyle to impress Indians. British drinking habits. British women's supervision of household. Question of Indian membership of clubs; problems it posed.
Cassette side OA1/75/2: Attitude of Indian subordinates in Delhi government. Attitude of British children in India. Evaluation of contacts between British and Indians: education; government; business. Lack of British interest in Indian culture. Christmas celebrations. British hobbies and recreations. Stories of British eccentrics. British game hunting. British attitude to Indian religion. Effects of British health and education measures.
Cassette side OA1/75/3: Attitude of Indian petitioners to district officers. Relationship between British and Indian women. Work as Rampur chief minister: tenancy reform; establishing industry. Daily routine. Right of access of petitioners to ruler of Rampur. British officers within Rampur government: their violent reaction to demonstration and consequences; excellent social relations with Indian officers. Enjoyment of opportunities to help people. Assessment of resident; his unwillingness to grant Indians responsibility.
Cassette side OA1/75/4: Social contacts with residents. British morality. Rudeness of some British towards Indians. British lack of sympathy towards India's culture and Indian aspirations. Experiences of British ruthlessness. Opinions on Raj and British officers' attitudes to Indians.
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| Main author: |
Zaidi; Sayyid Bashir Hussain (1898-1992); Chief Minister of Rampur state |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
1 hr. 50 min.
|
| Admin history: |
Indian Chief Minister of Rampur State. |
| 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: C1510/75/01-04. 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
|
| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/75/01-04
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004974/04 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/75/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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