Order number: |
OA4, Memories of the British in India, Sound Cassettes, Box 1 [CLOSED] |
Summary: |
Tape recording of interview, given 1984, by Lady Eleanor Margaret Haughton Burns (b 1908), married Sir John Crawford Burns 1941; on her life as a European woman living in India 1946-57 mainly after independence. [Transcript available].
Summary: Family background; meeting and marriage with Sir John Burns 1940-41; first impressions of India 1946; unreal picture of European women in India presented by TV series 'Jewel in the Crown'; describes morning of typical day and domestic arrangements; British Women's Association formed to give European women a sense of identity; its social and charitable activities; contacts with Bombay Women's Association and other social and recreational contacts with Indian women; different type of Indian women encountered at the clubs then at evening parties. Different types of Indian women; some wives of Indian businessmen did not go out much; Burns children attended mixed schools in India until about the age of eight; reasons for sending older children home for schooling; health and hygiene; no sense of danger to European women in Bombay [Mumbai]; visits to Bazaar; description of flat; children played with Indian children; no problem in having or rearing children in India; hospital facilities excellent; European hospital; business entertaining for Sir John Burns; children not left with Indian servants Lady Burns enjoyed her time in India but glad to return home; reasons why; recreations in India: golf, and swimming both at mixed and European pool.
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Main author: |
Burns; Lady; Eleanor Margaret Haughton (b 1908); née James |
Other authors: |
Blake; David M (fl 1983); librarian and interviewer |
Previous numbers: |
OA2/63/3 |
Extent: |
1 sound casette |
Admin history: |
Lady Eleanor Margaret Haughton Burns - Married Sir John Burns 1941; lived in India 1946-57. |
Custodial history: |
Recorded as part of the ’Memories of the British in India’ project by India Office Library & Records [subsequently the Oriental and India Office Collection, British Library]. This recording was previously held at SOAS Library as part of the 'British in India Oral Archive Project' collection [Reference OA2], removed from this collection in August 2014 to reflect the recording’s alternative provenance as part of the ‘Memories of the British in India’ project. |
Acquisition: |
Recorded by India Office Library & Records, 17 June 1984 |
Access status: |
Closed |
Access conditions: |
Sound recording currently unavailable at SOAS Library due to preservation reasons. Researchers can access a copy of this audio recording at the British Library Listening & Viewing Service. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418. |
Copyright: |
Copyright held by British Library |
User restrictions: |
Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist |
Language: |
English
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Originals: |
Original sound recording of interview available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service [Reference: C63/127-128] |
Format: |
Archive
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