Mejobou of Raja Santosh Road Soumitra Das takes a peek behind the iron curtain and into the inner cesses of the stately homes that have survived Snipped from http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050507/asp/calcutta/story_4686167.asp Saturday, May 07, 2005 Renukadebi, who has written many a book in her time, says the family first resided at 3 Alipore Road, where the Bajorias live today. 21 Santosh Road was bought from a sahib and a tower clock was constructed in 1912. The lifestyle was very regal. The sentry stood guard round the clock. A bell would ring once whenever anybody passed by. Twice when anybody came home. Riding was their favourite pastime, she said. The viceroy would visit the house twice a year, when lavish parties were thrown. But the maharani was always in purdah, and the English ladies would go inside to meet her. All the food and drinks were home made. Yet the maharani would herself cook for the maharaja. He preferred her touch. No alcohol was ever served. The maharaja, a teetotaller, wouldn't even touch tonics. Then came the sunset law and the family fell on hard times. The maharaja died around 1935-36. Later we were compelled to leave the house, says Renukadebi. Alipore was the playground of royalty. As Karuna Devi of Burdwan had said, all aristocratic families lived in Alipore, the seat of the government at Belvedere to enable them to receive the Raj dignitaries. Burdwan, Cooch Behar, Santosh in Tangail and Mayurbhanj coexisted. ==================================== --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India

Saturday, April 23, 2005 Snipped from http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050423/asp/calcutta/story_4641845.asp In early 20th century, although Bengali merchants outnumbered Marwari or Gujarati tradespeople, Bengali capital was highly fragmented, and was in the kindergarten stage as it still is now. Bengalis of that period did not lack enterprise but were not blessed with the capacity to sustain their endeavours. Impulsive as they were they threw themselves headlong into the swadeshi movement, without sparing much thought for practical considerations. The Marwaris hardly carried similar ideological baggage (the likes of Ghanashyam Das Birla, notwithstanding), and had by 19th-century end, appropriated the indigenous banking system as well as those of cotton and jute. With the decline of imperial power and the consequent enervation of British managing agencies, they transformed from traders and moneylenders to entrepreneurs. The industriousness, business acumen and diligence of this close-knit community for whom loyalty to one's kin was like a religion certainly helped. By 1930, Marwaris headed the majority of jute mill companies and almost half of collieries. By 1948, their shares increased. By the 1960s, they had become the new economic elite of this region. Anthony Hayward, the last British burrasaab of Shaw Wallace, who lived in Raja Santosh Road in the early Seventies and who visits the city every winter, had written about the entry of Marwari millionaires in Alipore in an e-mail: The Marwaris came to live in Alipore by virtue of the fact that they bought up all the managing agency houses in Calcutta over the period between 1947 and 1967; and with them the big houses which belonged to those companies. Development continued apace, and by the time I left in 1978 I dare say that 20 or more houses had been demolished and highrises built. It was started perhaps by ICI and Imperial Tobacco, and Mackinnon Mackenzie who knocked down their big houses, and built half a dozen or more perfectly large and adequate houses for their directors, not highrises. =========================== --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India

Sandra, you kindly contacted me off list to give me some information about Chamarette's in Burma but my reply to you has been returned (twice) as not-deliverable. Please contact me again or give my e-mail address to the cousin of the Chamarette's in Burma that you are in touch with. Apologies to the list for this private message. Thanks and best wishes Denise Hughes Weston

G'day Sylvia, On 14/07/2008, at 9:50 AM, Sylvia Murphy wrote: > However, your suggestion of transliteration from the Danish does > not fit as the enumeration was made in English (except for one > sheet, which I'm having trouble with - put your hands up now if > you can read Danish!) Sylvia, I can help with that. ooroo If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door. Anon.

> even today. Pucca derives from Sanskrit Pakva, ripe. A ripe fruit, for > example, is called 'paka hua' or 'ripened'. The same root gives the verb > for anything that is cooked. 'Khana pakana' means cooking food. This > meaning, in colonialese, changed to mean something that is very proper, > like > the Pucca Sahib. > > Arvind Kolhatkar, Toronto, July 14, 2008. Thanks Arvind - Clears that one up for me. 'Pucca Sahib' ? Ripe or Cooked Gentleman ? An apt description for someone from Blighty who goes , "..... out in the midday sun." Sally (with apologies)

Hazel, Quite to the contrary! I am an admirer of the British and of the contribution they made in making India what it is today. In one of my old posts I have said that the colonial rule was a price that India lucky to pay to get out of the quagmire of centuries of lack of vision. India paid that price and has come out a much better place than what it would have been had the anarchy continued under the Mughals, Marathas and sundry other potentates. But does this mean that I cannot make an honest observation in an academic spirit about some of the behavior patterns of the British that I find difficult to understand? That is what this List is all about. It is not a mutual admiration society I suppose. While admiring the British I have not suspended my disbelief. Cheer up! I mean no offence to you. As to loving ayahs let me state my take quite frankly. Ayahs were loved no more and no less than Uncle Toms were loved in plantations in the Southern States of the US. She was loved so long as she knew that she was an Ayah and kept to her station. Would the love survive if she tried to be uppity? Would that much-loved Ayah's daughter be invited to a dance party in her employer's house? On a similar theme, have you seen the 1989 movie called 'Driving Miss Daisy'? The character of the black driver played by Morgan Freeman correctly brings this out in one of his dialogues. There is nothing unusual in this. In all societies and at all times there have been relationships like this. But there is no offence in keeping in mind that it was a relationship of servitude and not of friendship between to equals. Why pretend otherwise? One of the stereotypes of Bollywood family dramas is the honest old family retainer, usually called 'Chacha' or Uncle. He is a much loved Chacha but the youngest boy in the family can still order him around. I am sure I am inviting upon myself the ire of many but still feel that I must be honest. Arvind Kolhatkar, Toronto, July 14, 2008.

Dear Arvind, Why are you so rotten about the Brits? What did we ever do to you? Granted, the early Brits in India may have been a bunch of toffee-nosed snobs, but gradually over the years, all classes of Englishmen, women and children came to India and loved it as their second home, including making friends with Indian families, to say nothing of their beloved ayahs and other workers in their homes. Sorry ro be so forthright, but you made me do it! Salaams 'n' samosas from Hazel Craig. P.S. And I think you must have meant 'adapting' and not 'adopting' to the Indian lifestyles and habits ...

Thanks for this. Indeed Pucka is a solid bricks and mortar or 'proper' building. As you all identify, the word is an adjective with many applications. Like Moira, I tend to think that the 'upper roomed' house is one of two stories, but as I have also seen the description "upper and lower roomed" it raises the possibility of a house with, say, (and I am only speculating here) stables, coach garage or storage space on the ground floor (or maybe servants sleeping quarters?) with the residential areas on an upper floor. Lower roomed does suggest single storey, but that I think would be a Bungalow, which is different (see below). However, your suggestion of transliteration from the Danish does not fit as the enumeration was made in English (except for one sheet, which I'm having trouble with - put your hands up now if you can read Danish!) In any case I have seen these house descriptions previously in the Calcutta House Assessment Books. Prof. S N Mukherjee in "Calcutta - Essays in Urban History" makes statistical references to the housing in Calcutta in his 1806 survey and counts these types: Bungalow Commercial Residential Commercial Residential (upper) Lower Roomed House Upper Roomed House Straw Hut Tiled Hut Unfortunately he did not define the LRH & URH which are the only ones that are not self evident! Cheers Sylvia > -----Original Message----- > From: india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of MunroZoo > Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 6:10 AM > To: - Rajlist - Rootsweb > Subject: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Upper and Lower Roomed Houses > (Puckavariety ofcourse!) > > I would think that Lower rooms would mean the ground floor > rooms and the Upper rooms would be above the ground floor rooms. > > A Pucka building would mean a solid building made from Bricks > and Cement > > > Pucka has many meanings for instance a Pucka Sahib is a > perfect gentleman. I feel a Pucka idiot writing this sentence > means I feel an absolute idiot writing this sentence. Pucka > also means ripe and Kutcha has the opposite meaning that is raw. > > Joyce Munro > > -----Original Message----- > > Subject: Re: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Upper and Lower Roomed > Houses (Puckavariety of course!) > > Hi Sylvia: > > My guess is that: > > Upper roomed = double storey > > Lower roomed = single storey > > These terms must have been an English transliteration from the Danish > > Moira Breen > > USA >

Dear Listers, I often wonder why the British in India adopted certain practices, foods etc. from Indians but kept away from others. They refrained from using loose and flowing clothes which are more suitable to the climate. They never sat on the ground cross-legged. They never bathed Indian style from a bucket -sitting down on a stone platform and dousing oneself with cold water with a small pot - which is actually far more convenient for the climate where one needs at least one bath every day. It also is more practical as it needs far less paraphernalia. They never took to using ghee in cooking, though in India of the pre-refrigerator days, this was the best way of preserving a milk product without its turning rancid. I feel that there may not be a rational explanation for these abstentions, beyond a fear that this would mark one as turning native. This fear of standing apart from the majority kept everyone in a straitjacket. One of the pet aversions of the Brits was the Indian trader, who is usually described as being 'oily'. I think that referred to the Indian trader's habit of cooking with ghee. Is there any other explanation? Arvind Kolhatkar, July 15, 2008.

Sylvia, If you enter the search string "upper roomed" in Google, you will get several hits, many of them dealing with upper roomed and lower roomed houses of colonial Calcutta. This one, a limited preview book called 'Representing Calcutta: Modernity, Nationalism & the Colonial Uncanny' by Swati Chattopadhayaya gives, explains on p. 97 the difference between the two. See http://tinyurl.com/6c6h72 or http://books.google.ca/books?id=VoTYbSBbOxIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Representing+Calcutta%22&lr=&as_brr=0&ei=_dF6SJO3DISKjAH90riFDA&sig=ACfU3U0S-RsGEc0h1VvCSagHpMaeML5fzg It appears that the lower roomed houses were just the ground floor and a terrace and about 4-5 rooms, all having direct access from the outside and also from the main hall and consequently having a lesser degree of privacy. The upper roomed houses were at least two-storied, having more privacy and more ventilation. These obviously were more pretentious and commanded better prices. The house in Alipore that belonged at one time to Warren Hastings and stands till today and is believed to be hauted by his ghost, is described as 'upper-rooomed'. This description and its photo can be seen at http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000122/windows/main4.htm Pucca or pakka (and a variety of other spellings) refers to its being more permanent, i.e. built of baked bricks, cement, stone etc as opposed to a less permanant structure. This term is in use in civil engineering in India even today. Pucca derives from Sanskrit Pakva, ripe. A ripe fruit, for example, is called 'paka hua' or 'ripened'. The same root gives the verb for anything that is cooked. 'Khana pakana' means cooking food. This meaning, in colonialese, changed to mean something that is very proper, like the Pucca Sahib. Arvind Kolhatkar, Toronto, July 14, 2008.

Hi listers I am analysing the 1840 census* of Serampore for a University assignment, with respect to the European and Indo-European (my term) population of the town. Their residences are described variously as: Pucka Upper Roomed Building Pucka Lower Roomed Building (or similar terms) Now, from both Hobson-Jobson and from Ivor Lewis' 'Sahibs, Nabobs & Boxwallahs' - I get the understanding that Pucka or Pukka in this context means built of proper bricks (i.e. fired) and mortar as opposed to mud bricks (which would be Cutcha) - argument will be entered into! However, I would be pleased to have clarification of the "upper roomed" or "lower roomed". Do these terms simply imply that all the living quarters are upstairs, or in the case of lower roomed, maybe just a single story house? * for those readers who raised their eyebrows to doubt such a thing exists - the census was taken by the Danes on 9 November 1840 of the entire population, enumeration sheets do exist and are available on film through the LDS Family History Centres. The Danes sold Serampore (which they called Frederiksnagore) to the English at the end of 1845. The other Danish territory - Tranquebar - had a census taken in 1834 and the enumeration sheets for there have also been filmed, but I haven't looked at them yet. Looking forward to the experts thoughts. Sylvia (in Sydney)

I would think that Lower rooms would mean the ground floor rooms and the Upper rooms would be above the ground floor rooms. A Pucka building would mean a solid building made from Bricks and Cement Pucka has many meanings for instance a Pucka Sahib is a perfect gentleman. I feel a Pucka idiot writing this sentence means I feel an absolute idiot writing this sentence. Pucka also means ripe and Kutcha has the opposite meaning that is raw. Joyce Munro -----Original Message----- Subject: Re: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Upper and Lower Roomed Houses (Puckavariety of course!) Hi Sylvia: My guess is that: Upper roomed = double storey Lower roomed = single storey These terms must have been an English transliteration from the Danish Moira Breen USA _____ I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 78 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/len> for free now!

Christchurch Mussoorie: Restored Art & Tradition Sunday, July 13, 2008 By Ajay Ramola While Holidaying in Mussoorie, most tourists miss out on the famous historical landmark called Christchurch. It is situated near Kasmanda Palace, now a heritage hotel near Library Point. Completed on 16 May 1836, it is a beautiful landmark with its Gothic Design and the pre- Raphaelite stained glass windows. As one enters the front yard of the church, one is greeted by a "Deodar' tree planted by the Princess of Wales on Sunday, 4 March, 1906 after attending morning service at Christchurch. She went to become Queen Mary. The massive structure during that time was erected by private donation for the use of British residents. Subsequently, many changes were made to the original building, notably in 1853, when the chancel, transepts and gothic style roof were added, as a result enlarging the building considerably. The supporters then turned to embellishment of the church by including stained glass windows. Rev Erik Templeton fondly explains the brief history of the Church: "It was founded in 1836 as an Anglican Church (Church of England). Shortly after Independence, the parish became part of the newly formed Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon. On 29 November 1970 (the first Sunday in advent), Christchurch became part of the Church of North India." Rev Templeton further adds, "Today, Christchurch is a part of the Agra Diocese of Church of India." Its style of Christian worship has not changed since then." The stained glass windows of Christchurch, Mussoorie are a perfect example of the movement that began with revival of interest in Gothic architecture and glass techniques in the 1800s in England. Rev Templeton of Christchurch says, "Christchurch is fortunate to possess eight beautiful glass windows - beauty that has survived the attacks of the sometimes hostile climate of Mussoorie. They are a unique and pristine representation of the art that was brought by the British." Templeton is of the view that the Christchurch windows or "lights" are certainly among the most beautiful stained glass windows in the country today. As one enters the Church, one gets a sense of history from the inscriptions on the tablets erected in memory of the ones who died during that time. One tablet goes . "The memory of just blessed. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". The tablet was erected by affectionate husband Major General JC Gray and children in fond remembrance of Arabela Kezia, the beloved wife, who departed at Deyrah on 25 April, 1864 in her 64th year. Templeton goes on to say that the church was in crumbling condition when he arrived. "It was falling apart; the revival work had to start in right earnest. Efforts made to restore the church bore fruit during 2002 -2003 when MN Manikandan of Thrissur, Kerala, assisted by a young team of artisans, took up the job. Mani was also a recipient of the Charles Wallace Trust Scholarship in 1997. The total cost of the restoration work was Rs 7,62,000. Funds were made available by INTACH UK Trust (Martand Singh, Chairman), by the 'Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass', London. The William Hill Organ The giant wooden structure right of the Altar immediately catches ones eyes in the church. It is nineteenth century William Hill Organ named after its manufacturer by the same name, who was born in 1789 and was active in his successful London based organ building business till the age of eighty. He may even have been involved in the specification and building of this one. This instrument retains the original casework, soundboard, wind system, mechanical key and stop action. The pipe work is also original. The Reverend, admiring the huge instrument, says, "This wonderful organ needs to be restored." The restoration of the instrument would cost around Rs 1 crore, a massive amount which cannot be raised by the church alone. He has appealed to all music lovers and heritage lovers to join in the movement to restore this work of art to its working condition. He promises that the "sound emanating will definitely be noteworthy". Sunil Raturi, who resides near the church, endorses Rev Templeton's views and says, "The Church used to be in a shambles and we as kids used to play hide and seek in the compound." A lot of hard work has gone into restoring the church. Restoration of the William Hill Organ would mean preserving the past and history of which Christchurch and Mussoorie have been a witness. It could also become a major tourist attraction. http://www.garhwalpost.com/centrenewsdetail.aspx?id=4710;&nt=Society --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India

Hello all For what it is worth and not entering into argument, I note from my Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, revised 1955, that Cutcha or Kutcha is a noun meaning sun-dried bricks and that Pukka is used only as an adjective - with the meaning (as regards buildings, and nearest to Sylvia's) of permanent. The dictionary naturally gives its best Hindi derivations, being rendered as "Kachcha" and "Pakka" respectively. Rupert Butler -----Original Message----- From: india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Sylvia Murphy Sent: 13 July 2008 13:24 To: INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ@rootsweb.com Subject: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Upper and Lower Roomed Houses (Pucka variety ofcourse!) Hi listers I am analysing the 1840 census* of Serampore for a University assignment, with respect to the European and Indo-European (my term) population of the town. Their residences are described variously as: Pucka Upper Roomed Building Pucka Lower Roomed Building (or similar terms) Now, from both Hobson-Jobson and from Ivor Lewis' 'Sahibs, Nabobs & Boxwallahs' - I get the understanding that Pucka or Pukka in this context means built of proper bricks (i.e. fired) and mortar as opposed to mud bricks (which would be Cutcha) - argument will be entered into! However, I would be pleased to have clarification of the "upper roomed" or "lower roomed". Do these terms simply imply that all the living quarters are upstairs, or in the case of lower roomed, maybe just a single story house? * for those readers who raised their eyebrows to doubt such a thing exists - the census was taken by the Danes on 9 November 1840 of the entire population, enumeration sheets do exist and are available on film through the LDS Family History Centres. The Danes sold Serampore (which they called Frederiksnagore) to the English at the end of 1845. The other Danish territory - Tranquebar - had a census taken in 1834 and the enumeration sheets for there have also been filmed, but I haven't looked at them yet. Looking forward to the experts thoughts. Sylvia (in Sydney) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.10/1549 - Release Date: 7/12/2008 4:31 PM

Hi Denise, I can recommend Karen Leonard's book - most of us AIs from Hyderabad are included. Also another e-book - downloadable is this one on Hyderabad by Omar Khalidi. I am not sur eif my post will hit the India list so you can pass it on. regards Kerry A* Guide to Architecture in Hyderabad* contains descriptive text, photographs and maps of nearly 200 existing and demolished buildings of Hyderabad, Deccan, India. The Guide covers built environment in the city since 1590s-1950s in one of the few planned cities of medieval Islamic India. The* Guide* can be viewed as pdf at http://libraries.mit.edu/rotch/HyderabadJune262008.pdf <http:///> The *Guide* is part of documentation done at The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT. Using the Hyderabad Guide as a model, similar documentation is planned for other Indian Islamic cities. Readers are invited to send comments and questions to the author Omar Khalidi. ---------------------------------------- Omar Khalidi, PhD Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA 1-617-258-5597 okhalidi@mit.edu <http:///> Kind Regards Kerry 2008/7/13 Denise Hughes <denise_hughes@terra.es>: > Those of you who emmigrated and those of us who are children of > emmigrated Anglo Indians will, I think find this book interesting > > It's about those who came from Hyderabad, but the things described > could be applicable to people who came from other areas of India too. > > http://books.google.com/books?id=HQCvgavbQjgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=L > ocating+Home:+India%27s+Hyderabadis+Abroad+By+Karen+Isaksen+Leonard&ei > =pKF5SNy-I6HQjgHFyNiMDA&sig=ACfU3U1nbUBYbCgOii7jFpOpqfsNE6sAig > > > Denise Hughes Weston > Researching in > India: CHAMARETTE, WESTON, ASH, COMBES, THOMPSON, JOHANNES (OR > JOHANESS) & MOORE > U.K.: HUGHES & NORRIS, BOYTON & KING, WESTON & SHORTER > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Kerry Edwards, a member of the list who "can't seem to be able to post any more" has forwarded the mention of this book to me for posting. Quote: Hi Denise, I can recommend Karen Leonard's book - most of us AIs from Hyderabad are included. Also another e-book - downloadable is this one on Hyderabad by Omar Khalidi. I am not sur if my post will hit the India list so you can pass it on. regards Kerry A Guide to Architecture in Hyderabad contains descriptive text, photographs and maps of nearly 200 existing and demolished buildings of Hyderabad, Deccan, India. The Guide covers built environment in the city since 1590s-1950s in one of the few planned cities of medieval Islamic India. The Guide can be viewed as pdf at http://libraries.mit.edu/rotch/HyderabadJune262008.pdf The Guide is part of documentation done at The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT. Using the Hyderabad Guide as a model, similar documentation is planned for other Indian Islamic cities. Readers are invited to send comments and questions to the author Omar Khalidi. ---------------------------------------- Omar Khalidi, PhD Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA 1-617-258-5597 okhalidi@mit.edu

Hi Sylvia: My guess is that: Upper roomed = double storey Lower roomed = single storey These terms must have been an English transliteration from the Danish Moira Breen USA Sylvia Murphy <sylcec@ihug.com.au> wrote: Hi listers I am analysing the 1840 census* of Serampore for a University assignment, with respect to the European and Indo-European (my term) population of the town. Their residences are described variously as: Pucka Upper Roomed Building Pucka Lower Roomed Building (or similar terms) Now, from both Hobson-Jobson and from Ivor Lewis' 'Sahibs, Nabobs & Boxwallahs' - I get the understanding that Pucka or Pukka in this context means built of proper bricks (i.e. fired) and mortar as opposed to mud bricks (which would be Cutcha) - argument will be entered into! However, I would be pleased to have clarification of the "upper roomed" or "lower roomed". Do these terms simply imply that all the living quarters are upstairs, or in the case of lower roomed, maybe just a single story house? * for those readers who raised their eyebrows to doubt such a thing exists - the census was taken by the Danes on 9 November 1840 of the entire population, enumeration sheets do exist and are available on film through the LDS Family History Centres. The Danes sold Serampore (which they called Frederiksnagore) to the English at the end of 1845. The other Danish territory - Tranquebar - had a census taken in 1834 and the enumeration sheets for there have also been filmed, but I haven't looked at them yet. Looking forward to the experts thoughts. Sylvia (in Sydney) -------------------------------

Those of you who emmigrated and those of us who are children of emmigrated Anglo Indians will, I think find this book interesting It's about those who came from Hyderabad, but the things described could be applicable to people who came from other areas of India too. http://books.google.com/books?id=HQCvgavbQjgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=L ocating+Home:+India%27s+Hyderabadis+Abroad+By+Karen+Isaksen+Leonard&ei =pKF5SNy-I6HQjgHFyNiMDA&sig=ACfU3U1nbUBYbCgOii7jFpOpqfsNE6sAig Denise Hughes Weston Researching in India: CHAMARETTE, WESTON, ASH, COMBES, THOMPSON, JOHANNES (OR JOHANESS) & MOORE U.K.: HUGHES & NORRIS, BOYTON & KING, WESTON & SHORTER

Nineteenth-Century Court Arts in India by Marika Sardar Institute of Fine Arts, New York University After 1858, there was a growing interest in Indian architecture as the British monarchy tried to present itself as successor to the Mughals. Focus shifted from Calcutta to Bombay, where the Victoria Terminus by Frederick W. Stevens (1878) and Prince of Wales Museum by George Wittet (1914) were built. Though essentially of classical design, these buildings incorporated a number of decorative elements from the Indian vernacular for the first time. The princes who chose to build in such a style often hired British architects. The work of Major Charles Mant at Kolhapur, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob at Bikaner, and Vincent Esch at Hyderabad is a curious mix of Palladian villa design (popular in England at the time) and Indian architectural ornament. At Lucknow, architecture was much influenced by the work of Claud Martin, the French general who settled in the city and was given charge of several regiments in the nawab's army. His residence, called "Constantia," was finished with a number of odd flourishes (such as statues waving from the roof), and this exuberant style was quoted in elements of "Kaiserbagh," the palace of Nawab Wajid cAli Shah (r. 1847-56) built in 1848-50. New to the arts scene in the nineteenth century was photography, which reached India soon after its invention in Europe. Maharaja Birchandra Manikya (r. 1862-96) of Tripura was among the many princes who took an interest in the medium, starting his career in daguerreotypes; his son Bara Thakur would become a critically acclaimed photographer. Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II of Jaipur (1835-1880) was another skilled practitioner, noted for his portraits of British notables and women from his court (normally only photographed by other women). It is Lala Deen Dayal (1844-1910), however, who is perhaps the era's most famous photographer. He worked for both British and Indian patrons, and among his subjects were Lord and Lady Curzon and the nizam of Hyderabad. Dayal was appointed court photographer to Curzon in 1884, where he took portraits and documented such important events as durbars and the construction of new palaces. In 1896, he moved to Bombay and opened a commercial studio there. http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/icrt/hd_icrt.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India

That reminds me of school dinners in England in the 1950s. Rice pudding almost every day and it was awful but not as bad as semolina pudding but at least semolina pudding was not as bad as sago pudding but worst of all was tapioca pudding. No wonder that we had a school dinner strike and refused to eat it! David -----Original Message----- From: india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:india-british-raj-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Wilfred Francis Sent: 11 July 2008 17:03 To: india-british-raj@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Soojee And a favourite of mine. My mother use to make it for our breakfast before packing us off to school. I also learnt to make it from here and now, every once in awhile I make it for myself. Couple of Christmases ago I made a return trip to Pakistan to meet up with my old school chums and was introduced to 'suji halwa'. Never came across it whilst growing up out there. We also had a porridge made of suji, again it was a favourite of ours. Mother always roasted the suji before turning it into porridge or halwa. Now I am drooling. Suji here, in Uk is semolina. Her semolina is made into a pudding, yuck, more like a white sticky gloop used to sticking up large advertising posters, not a patch on the suji halwa. Wilfred