| Order number: |
OA4, Memories of the British in India, Sound Cassettes, Box 1 [CLOSED]
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| Summary: |
Indian Army 1927-34, Indian Political Service 1934-47, chiefly on the British attitude to the Indian demand for independence, the problem of the States, and the problem of Hyderabad.
Summary: Maunsell's arrival in India in 1927 towards the end of the British Raj. The Montagu Declaration. The development of nationalism between the wars. Sir John Simon's visit in 1927 and the recommendations of the Simon Commission on federation. Maunsell's reminiscences about his meeting with Gandhi at this time. Other officers sympathetic to the cause of independence. Walter Cawthorn's views on the subject. Maunsell's experience with a hostile crowd of students in Bombay. General feeling among British about the possibility of a settlement over India. Maunsell's feelings about the tactics of the Nationalists. Rules for firing on rioting crowds, and the effect of the Amritsar Massacre on these rules. The effect of Congress methods of protest on the views of the British people in India, in particular the other officers in Maunsell's mess.
The growing view among the British that independence was inevitable. The Congress Party's view that the end justified the means. Maunsell's decision to join the IPS. Reminiscences of his meeting with Gandhi and a later meeting with him in Delhi. Maunsell's interview with Lord Willingdon. The attempts at setting up cooperation schemes between States as part of a plan towards federation. The view of the States on their position after independence. The incompatability of the democratic form of government in British India and the paternalistic government of the States, The improvements in government in the States. The differences in the standards of administration between British India and the States, The "Indian way" of government.
Story about corruption in present day India. The lack or political consciousness among the population of the States before independence. Maunsell's arrival in Hyderabad. Sir Arthur Lothian. The State of Hyderabad; the atmosphere of art and culture. Maunsell reads a poem “To England during the War" written by Sir Nizamat Jang, a former Chief Minister of Hyderabad. The army, and the British forces stationed in the State. Hyderabad's contribution to the war effort. Description of the Residence, and the story of how it was acquired. Maunsell's standard of living in India as-opposed to Britain. The role of the Resident. The Nizam of Hyderabad; a physical description. His reputation for miserliness and his austere lifestyle. Amusing story of the Nizam and a courtier.
The Nizam's tolerance of other religions. His employment of Sir Walter Monckton. The Nizam's character and his attempts to interfere in the administration His desire for direct dominion, status with Britain and his attempts to secure an outlet to the sea for Hyderabad. The role of Sir Charles Herbert, the Resident, in these negotiations. The situation whereby all treaties lapsed after Britain ceased to be the paramount power. Monckton's arrival in Hyderabad. The effect of the visit in 1946 by Cripps, Pethick-Lawrence and Alexander. Maunsell's assessment of Monckton. The difficulty of his position in persuading the council to accept terms. The dangerous influence of Sultan Razvih. His volunteer force, the Razakars, and its activities. Razvih's influence over the Nizam which made him reject previously agreed decisions.. Speculation on the results if the Nizam had acceded to the independent government of India.
The difficult situation in the State; the possibility of violence from Razvih and the Razakars. Muhammad Ali Jinnah's visits to the Nizam. The impracticality of Hyderabad joining Pakistan, Amusing story about the Nizam's wife. The favourable attitude of the Nizam's officials towards Monckton; his skill as a negotiator. His difficulties with the Nizam through Razvih's pressure on the Nizam. Maunsell's post-independence visits to India. His work in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi after independence. The friendly attitude of the Indians to the British on his visits since independence. The relaxing of tension in relations between Indians and British after independence. Maunsell's career prospects after independence; his refusal of a post in Ghana. His career as a fruit grower. The effect of his time in India upon him; the importance of religion in his life.
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| Main author: |
Maunsell; Anthony Charles Ker (b 1907); Indian Army |
| Other authors: |
Blake; David M (fl 1983); librarian and interviewer |
| Previous numbers: |
OA2/69/1-4
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| Extent: |
2 sound casettes
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| Admin history: |
Major Anthony Charles Ker Maunsell - Indian Army (4/16 Punjabis) 1927-1934. Indian Political Service 1934-47. Secretary to Resident at Hyderabad 1944-47. |
| 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. |
| Access status: |
Closed
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| 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.
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| 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: C63/99-110]
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| Format: |
Archive
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