Anglo India

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 9:07 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

ANGLO INDIA Tuite-Dalton took his leave of absence in late-February/early-March. His replacement, John Gerald Ritchie (1853-1921,) soon arrived with his wife, Margie, and their infant daughter, Theo.[1] John Gerald Ritchie (1853-1921) was born in Calcutta. The son of William Ritchie, Advocate General of Bengal. In 1859, his mother took him and his brother back to Europe, where they lived with their aunts in Paris. In 1862 he entered a private boarding school, Whitnash Rectory, Warwickshire, and then Winchester School... Read more

Who Sows Sesame Reaps Sesame

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 9:06 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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WHO SOWS SESAME REAPS SESAME Charles Johnston February 1889. The Nawab sent us one of his carriages, a big barouche with a fine pair of “Walers,” what we of Anglo-India call the big-boned steeds from New South Wales. Our kindly Muslim nobleman always sent for his visitors. And we, who helped to govern India, might, if need were, borrow a carriage, or an elephant or two, or a horse. But there must be no presents, save only fruit... Read more

Maharani Swarnamoyee

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 9:04 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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MAHARANI SWARNAMOYEE One of the first acts of official business Johnston was assigned, was overseeing a land purchase by the Maharani Swarnamoyee (1827–1897.) A household name in Bengal, Swarnamoyee was “synonymous with all that is noble and good in woman.” Her generous donations for the purposes of education (particularly education of women,) and social services (which benefited everyone, regardless of caste and creed,) endeared her to many. Her charitable donations extended to the Theosophical Society. As soon as Blavatsky... Read more

The Pavane Of An Indian Dynasty

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 9:03 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE PAVANE OF AN INDIAN DYNASTY Johnston turned twenty-two on February 17, 1889. He and Verochka likely attended the opening of the Murshidabad Exhibition ten days later, on February 27, 1889.[1] The event was hosted by the Nawab in the Mubarak Manzil, a mansion in his family’s possession. The Nawab had taken great interest in the Murshidabad Exhibition from the beginning.[2] A generous philanthropist, the Nawab recently made a donation of Rs. 2,000 toward the construction of Lady Dufferin’s... Read more

The Daghee

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 9:02 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE DAGHEE Charles Johnston Mid-February 1889. Who would have thought there was a woman in the case? “Who is he, Babu?” The old man was squatting on the ground behind his tile, looking up at us with a glint of fire in his eyes. He was not like the rest of our tame Bengali jail-birds. Not only was his face different—wide cheekbones, olive skin, eyes a bit oblique—but there was a vigorous, breezy air about him: big mountains and... Read more

Bhadra Lok

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 8:58 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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BHADRA LOK. The upheaval of societal change in nineteenth century Bengal resulted in the adoption of a number of progressive reforms aligned with the civilizing standards of the west. A new liberal social class emerged, known self-referentially as the Bhadra Lok, whom Johnston describes as “portly Bengali gentlemen in turbans like pudding molds, and tussore silk frock-coats.”[1] The Bhadra Lok regarded the social reforms of Bengal as their particular achievements. The more conservative Hindu contingent resisted the reforms of... Read more

Tussar Silk

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 8:56 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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TUSSAR SILK. Charles Johnston January 1889. We were driving along a country road with Eugène Gallois, a comfortable, gray little Frenchman, clean shaven, and an inveterate gossip. There was chivalry in his heart, and a dash of sadness where some old love story had left its incurable pain. The dust lay inches thick in the road, and rose in wreaths under the horses’ hoofs and after the wheels. The sky above was like brass. The kites soared and shrilled... Read more

Bricks Of Opium

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 8:54 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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BRICKS OF OPIUM Charles Johnston January 1889. Tuite-Dalton gave me charge of a police-court, in which I presently found myself face to face with a plaintiff, a prisoner, numbers of dusky witnesses, some sleek policemen, and a row of glib, grinning native lawyers, come to look over the new “Sahib,” which is to say, a gentleman of Europe.[1] Seated in the chair of state amid this waiting throng, keenly conscious of the unfamiliar tongue, I felt greatly embarrassed, especially... Read more

The Civil Station

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 8:53 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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THE CIVIL STATION The “Club” and the clubhouse was an important social institution. “In any town in India the European Club is the spiritual citadel, the real seat of British power, the Nirvana for which native officials and millionaires pine in vain.” As was the case in Britain, overseas clubdom was a stratified ladder, progress of which depended upon one’s background, career prestige, seniority, and financial situation. Playing sports and socializing with fellow Europeans was encouraged for settlers, colonial... Read more

Murshid Quli Khan

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 8:50 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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MURSHID QULI KHAN Before the British, the provinces of the Mughal Empire were a dual system of administration under two officers, the Nazim and the Diwan. The Nazim was the Governor, or Viceroy. The Diwan (Finance Minister) was directly subordinate to the Emperor, and independent of the Nazim.[1] Though Bengal was rich and fertile, it brought little into the Imperial exchequer. The revenue of the khálsa (Crown lands) was so small, that it did not cover the expense of... Read more