Old Jail Road, a link with the past Chennai/Madras August 29, 2010 The Old Jail Road that stretches from Bharati Women's College till the Mint Street Clock tower in George Town now, got its name from the Civil Debtors prison established in 1692 by the British. According to Chennai city historian, a protective wall was constructed at the northern end of Black Town (later named George Town) in the 1760's and the prison was initially housed under a section of the wall. In the early 1800s the prison was moved to the location where the woman's college stands now. [snip] http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/article600997.ece --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Long before the British forces came there, the Sikhs had attacked the Red Fort in Delhi on March 11,1783, and hoisted the ''Nishan Sahib''. The Emperor offered a treaty, and accepted their terms, says this story, dated Sunday, August 29, 2010. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100829/spectrum/main4.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Dear Listers, The biography of Sayajirao Gaekwad, referred to in the Times of India's news item, has yet to be published and critically reviewed but, but I would say the following about the story in it regarding Tilak and Gaekwad's alleged 'elaborate plans' to rise in revolt against the British rule in 1914. Several reasons lead me to believe that it is more kite-flying than anything else. 1) Both Tilak and Sayajirao have been eminent public figures for more than a hundred years by now. Both were known to resent the British rule yet both were also pragmatic and would have known the limits of possibilities of action against the British. Both were surrounded at all times by colleagues (in the case of Tilak) and subordinate court officials (in the case of Gaekwad). Baroda also had a British Resident whose job it was to keep a close watch on everything that happened in Baroda. I doubt whether it could have been possible for either of them to plot for a violent action against the British, keeping everybody else, even their own people, in the dark. Cloak-and -dagger work appears impossible in their cases. 2) The public works of both of them have been well studied and documented. Several well-researched biographies of both of them are available. A late uncle of mine, S.V.Bapat, was Tilak's personal secretary for many years and, after Tilak's death, compiled a compendium in several volumes whose Marathi title may be translated as 'Memories of Tilak'. In it he painstakingly gathered accounts and anecdotes about Tilak from hundreds of persons who had interacted with Tilak and thus compiled what has come to be recognized as a priceless collection of source material about Tilak in particular and Tilak's period in general. Yet, there is not a whisper in it or anywhere else about any 'revolt' being plotted by Tilak and Gaekwad against the British rule . 3) If they ever plotted any such revolt, it would have been natural to keep in under wraps while the British were still in India till 1947. There would have been no need to keep it a secret after 1947. Indeed, had there been even a hint of any such plot, it would have acquired the status of a legend in post-independence India. Yet we have never heard of any such 'plot' though 90 years have passed after Tilak's death. 4) The alleged revolt was apparently planned to take place in 1914. It is worthwhile to note that Tilak was imprisoned by the British at Mandalay from 1908 till 1914. Sitting in a British prison for six years far away from his normal domain, would it have been possible for him to plot a 'revolt' with Gaekwad, who was in Baroda? (Tilak put this enforced period of political inactivity to good use. He wrote his celebrated commentary on Bhagavad Gita, entitled' Geeta Rahasya' during this period.) 5) Lastly, why would they plot such an uprising to take place in far-away Amritsar, abandoning the obvious advantages of their own home grounds? Given all these facts, I would think that the piece in the Times of India is a publicity ploy to drum up interest in the new biography before it comes to the market. It is probably based on sketchy and tenuous evidence and what little may be available by way of facts has been given a life of its own and blown out of proportion. Arvind Kolhatkar, Toronto, August 26, 2010.

Dear Harsh Its very intriguing these discoveries, the present population of India I believe are not aware that India was never ONE country, but consisted of many sovereign states, the British in their wisdom, found it convenient to foster these independent states as long as they were given access, however, I believe your reference to a plot for independence would probably be for the state of Baroda, and not all of India. I dare say due to the British influence generally over most of India that you do have today one Nation called India, and of course the action Of Pandit Nehru driving the Portuguese out of Goa, following that other European countries whom held little bits of India all handed back without a single shot being fired. Yours... Neville ________________________________ From: Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, 24 August, 2010 7:11:25 Subject: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Plans for India's Independence in 1914 When Tilak planned India's Independence with Baroda Maharaja Aug 23, 2010 VADODARA: While 1857's first revolt against the British empire is documented in history, few know that a similar revolt against the colonial rule was planned in 1914. And fewer are aware that Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad, erstwhile ruler of Baroda state, was a part of it. Gaekwad and freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had drawn elaborate plans to initiate war for complete independence against the British. [snip] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/When-Tilak-planned-Indias-Independence-with-Sayajirao-/articleshow/6423044.cms --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I have an interest in the life of David Vanderheyden born 1759. He was appointed by HEIC as a writer in 1777 and retired from India in 1801. He then became a Member of Parliament. He died in 1828. Details of his career with HEIC and in politics can be found from the records. My particular query, however, is about his father also named David. David, the father, had been born in Albany, New York in about 1728. There are records of him trading in America in the 1750s and 1760s although son, David, was born in England. David, the father, died in England in 1805. A report of his death in the Gentleman's Magazine states that he was 'formerly of the East India Company's civil service'. References to his son as 'David Vandeheyden Jnr' also suggest that HEIC had dealings with both of them. Other than the Gentleman's Magazine I can find no reference to the father being employed by HEIC. His extensive trading activities in America, at least up to his early thirties, also makes me wonder when he might have been in India. Does anyone have any knowledge of David Vanderheyden senior being employed by HEIC or know of any possible sources of information? David Railton

When Tilak planned India's Independence with Baroda Maharaja Aug 23, 2010 VADODARA: While 1857's first revolt against the British empire is documented in history, few know that a similar revolt against the colonial rule was planned in 1914. And fewer are aware that Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad, erstwhile ruler of Baroda state, was a part of it. Gaekwad and freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had drawn elaborate plans to initiate war for complete independence against the British. [snip] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/When-Tilak-planned-Indias-Independence-with-Sayajirao-/articleshow/6423044.cms --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

While extracting "Indians" for FIBIS from the Kelly's Handbook of 1892 I found the entry below. Do these papers still exist somewhere, if so they may be very helpful...... Peter Rogers ""Maj-Gen. John Chas.Hay In charge of pensioners and holders of family certificates at *Chicacole 187X-86. Ret. 1886. M.S.C."" * now Srikakulam

August 22, 2010 Chennai's Company shrines The East India Company gave Chennai's temples a lot of importance. With gifts of pagodas and land, the Company played a major role in their growth. Could it have been an early example of corporate sponsorship? As Madras that is Chennai steps into its 372nd year, a quaint reminder of its colonial origins are several monuments and buildings. Among these are a few so-called Company temples, for these were built thanks to support from the East India Company. They belong to a very early period in the history of the city, a time when the differences between the British and the Indians had not become too sharply defined. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/article587051.ece --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

What a sad story about poor Caroline - I suspect that the word "Either" probably should have been quote " Neither of the reasons was an excuse at that time for a formal burial in the graveyard.<end quote> I remember a friend of my mother's coming to stay with us after being in hospital in Christchurch NZ back in the late 1950s. The lady had been a patient in a Sanatorium for some time as she suffered from TB. We were given strict instructions that her cutlery, dinner plates, and drinking vessels had to be sterilised after use and then set aside for her use only. Switch that to a previous age in Asia and that lady would have been considered 'unclean' and no doubt shunned because of her illness. Given the other sad event in her life - the inability to give her husband an heir - I can see how the poor Caroline would have been devastated - and felt there was no other way out but to take her own life. I also recall that not too many years ago a person committing suicide would have had an unmarked grave as it was a sin in the eyes of the church to take this action. Thankfully we are now a lot more enlightened. Cheers Ainslie.

Hi again Rupert, I tried to get onto the regiment site but it is temporarily unavailable. I will try again later. Cheers for now Ainslie.

Friday, January 30, 2009 A forgotten grave in Mussoorie The grave, amidst the thick oak forest of Landour cantonment, belongs to Caroline Moore, who could not find a place in the graveyard due to taboos associated with medieval English beliefs. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090130/dplus1.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

First time I have ever heard of anyone being refused a Christian burial because they had tuberculosis. Surely the reason for the site of her burial must have been suicide. David A forgotten grave in Mussoorie The grave, amidst the thick oak forest of Landour cantonment, belongs to Caroline Moore, who could not find a place in the graveyard due to taboos associated with medieval English beliefs. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090130/dplus1.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Dear Ainslie I might declare an interest. My grandfather left a British line regiment as a 1st class sergeant instructor to join the Allahabad Light Horse in 1903 and stayed with his "Weekend soldiers" until his death from cholera in 1911. I would say that your forbear and mine were part of a really significant slice of the Empire; they ran the depot Indian Army in the same way as our Anglo-Indians famously ran the Empire's railways. They would first prove themselves in their British regiments (my Sgt Dunne played a marginal part in the Punjab and Tirah campaigns of 1897-8, I bet your Staff Stroud did ten years or so in a fighting unit) before being offered "cushy billets" in the Indian Army. These men did not rest in their new posts - my widowed grandmother eventually married another of these stalwarts when he retired with the rank of major and an MBE - but they could reasonably expect no longer to be shot at ! My grandfather also married a Lady's Companion. Her employers stood as witnesses to the marriage in Allahabad in 1905 - I am sorry that, with the minister's wife standing in, perhaps your bride's employers looked less kindly upon the union. This is likely if (with the bride "belonging" in Bombay and Staff Stroud "belonging" in Delhi) there was a whirlwind romance in the hothouse social environment of Simla. Still, you might hope to discover that J W Burbridge was a senior merchant or administrator in Bombay. I have been plodding through the London Gazette in search of J W B, hoping to find him joining the lists of commissioned "Conductors" as they were called in the commissary world. I have run out of steam, but only after finding 5487 RQMS J W Burbridge of 1st Bn Ox and Bucks Light infantry being awarded the DCM (LG of 23 Oct 1919 page 12981). I note, From Mr Mills' www.regiments.org that this battalion was in India from 1903 to 1914, initially at Subathu wherever that is/was. I also note that the 2nd Bn was in India (and took part in the Tirah campaign) from 1886 and was probably deliberately sent home when the 1st Bn came out. One possibility for you. Rupert -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Ainslie Pyne Sent: 20 August 2010 06:41 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Looking for connections of Ryder Smith andBurbridge +/- 1906 Hi Rupert, Che kindly arranged for a friend to drop by the Wesleyan Church in Colaba and take photos of the outside and interior for my family records. He took a picture of the Honour Board of past ministers and the Rev. Charles Ryder Smith was the 4th minister for the church since its foundation - so that's proof enough of his being the incumbent minister at the time of the wedding of Staff Sergeant James J. Stroud to Sarah Gatley from Stockport. The fact that Charles' wife Ella was one of the witnesses to the marriage may indicate Charles was also a chaplain for the Military - and a friend of Stroud's. Cheers Ainslie. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Rupert, Che kindly arranged for a friend to drop by the Wesleyan Church in Colaba and take photos of the outside and interior for my family records. He took a picture of the Honour Board of past ministers and the Rev. Charles Ryder Smith was the 4th minister for the church since its foundation - so that's proof enough of his being the incumbent minister at the time of the wedding of Staff Sergeant James J. Stroud to Sarah Gatley from Stockport. The fact that Charles' wife Ella was one of the witnesses to the marriage may indicate Charles was also a chaplain for the Military - and a friend of Stroud's. Cheers Ainslie.

Not sure if these have done the rounds... nevertheless........for all you old Cal folk....enjoy! http://www.flickr.com/photos/udayms/sets/72157594177409787/show/ Kind Regards Kerry No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.439 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2988 - Release Date: 07/07/10 18:38:00

Does anybody know anything about these French Comic books on the Raj? Google translates the ''Amazon'' information for Volume 1 as follows: << The British Empire, on which the sun never sets, is expanding. Alexander Martin, a young political officer idealistic and sure of himself, landed at Bombay, the "golden city", where a handful of white men, the "sahibs" control population came from all provinces of India. But soon, many of the "sahibs" the richest colony disappear one by one. There is no trace, no explanation. The all-powerful "India Company" decided to find a leader to calm the spirits. When Alexander refused to blame an innocent he himself becomes a man annoying ...>> Raj, Volume 1: Les Disparus de la Ville dorée Vol 2 - Un gentilhomme oriental Vol 3 - Ayesha By Wilbur, Gonrad, Julien Loïs Publisher: Dargaud (January 18, 2007) Language: French -------- --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Now this is an interesting book by one Henderson, entitled ''Raj Rhapsodies: Tourism, Heritage and the Seduction of History (New Directions in Tourism Analysis). The description says = ** Heritage is a prized cultural commodity in the marketing of tourism destinations, with particular views of a place being promoted while others are downplayed. The representation of heritage in tourism as something that is static and timeless, derived since time immemorial from a distant past, is seductive. In Asia, a major part of the tourism market lies in the sale and consumption of highly orientalized images and versions of culture and history. This is particularly seen in India, where its northern state of Rajasthan has been successfully marketed as the nation's most heritage-laden, traditional and authentic. This draws heavily on the late nineteenth and early twentieth century years of British rule in India - the Raj. While in one sense, this neocolonial vision of Rajasthan is ennobling, highlighting moments of cultural pride, it also demeans by omiting and obscuring salient features of contemporary life. This book explores the cultural politics of tourism in this region through interdisciplinary perspectives. It questions what the locals think about tourism and how tourism impacts on local groups, and how the hegemonic images of India which attract tourists are confirmed by the tourist industry. It also examines issues of town planning, gender, domestic economic reform, religious pilgrimage, Muslim identity within a Hindu dominated polity and elite/non-elite politics. These tightly-woven essays suggest that toursim heritage narratives obscure economic and social fracture lines and that tourism silences diversity, privileges certain historic and contemporary discourses, recapitulates colonialism, and compels members of marginalized groups to collude in the representation of relationships of subordination. ** Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Number Of Pages: 236 Publication Date: 2007-05-30 ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0754670678 ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780754670674 --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

Hi folks, I am avidly searching for more information regarding my grandparents - James Jesse Stroud and his wife the former Sarah Gatley, daughter of William Gatley. of Stockport, England. Witnesses to their wedding at the Colaba Wesleyan Church, Bombay in 1906 were: J.W. Burbridge Charlotte Burbridge D.Ella Smith and the celebrant was Charles Ryder Smith (signature has him as C..Ryder Smith) I understand that my grandmother was employed as a Lady's Companion, my grandfather a Staff Sergeant in the Viceroy's Band. Stroud's residence at time of marriage states "West End Hotel, Simla" and Sarah's as 4 Heavily Grove, Buxton Rd, Stockport, England. I'd love to know if the descendants of the witnesses to the marriage are on this list and if they can throw further light onto the life and times of the era - I am assuming Ryder Smith was a military padre and that Burbridge was also a member of the military. Every now and again I strike it lucky and get another snippet of information that brings history to life! Cheers Ainslie.

It may save others' time if I report that I have swept the London Gazette from February 1879 to December 1906 without finding anyone with the name Ryder Smith. I wonder anyway if a Wesleyan minister would likely be a military padre. Rupert Butler -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Ainslie Pyne Sent: 19 August 2010 09:10 To: [email protected] Subject: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] Looking for connections of Ryder Smith andBurbridge +/- 1906 Hi folks, I am avidly searching for more information regarding my grandparents - James Jesse Stroud and his wife the former Sarah Gatley, daughter of William Gatley. of Stockport, England. Witnesses to their wedding at the Colaba Wesleyan Church, Bombay in 1906 were: J.W. Burbridge Charlotte Burbridge D.Ella Smith and the celebrant was Charles Ryder Smith (signature has him as C..Ryder Smith) I understand that my grandmother was employed as a Lady's Companion, my grandfather a Staff Sergeant in the Viceroy's Band. Stroud's residence at time of marriage states "West End Hotel, Simla" and Sarah's as 4 Heavily Grove, Buxton Rd, Stockport, England. I'd love to know if the descendants of the witnesses to the marriage are on this list and if they can throw further light onto the life and times of the era - I am assuming Ryder Smith was a military padre and that Burbridge was also a member of the military. Every now and again I strike it lucky and get another snippet of information that brings history to life! Cheers Ainslie. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

The Indians were sent to Rabaul mainly in connection with the improvement of the airfield there. The mistreatment of the Indians by the Japanese was second to the mistreatment meted out by them to the Chinese. Cheers On 18 August 2010 17:20, karoo <[email protected]> wrote: > Thank you for your offering Mandeep. It answers two questions (a) why was > my uncle Lt. Keith Corbet not with his RIASC troops (b) what were Indian > troops doing in Rabaul. > Good wishes > Sally Stewart > > >projects mainly in Papua New Guinea in the interregnum between the > dissolution of the First INA (Mohan Singh's) and the formation of the > Second > INA (Netaji's). Earlier they had been protected by the INA troops but the > Japanese took advantage of the uncertain situation. > > These Indian POWs were very badly treated by the Japanese and were > liberated > by Australian troops. British officers were in any case separated from > their > Indian troops from the beginning. > > Mandeep Bajwa < > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >