A Judge in Madras: Sir Sidney Wadsworth and the Indian Civil Service, 1913-47

by Caroline Keen

Overview

The memoirs of Sidney Wadsworth are a vital source on Britain's colonial history during the first half of the twentieth century. Recounting his long and distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service, Wadsworth paints an entertaining picture of the many places in Madras province where he served, with illuminating portraits of the important British and Indian figures with whom he associated. Here we see through his eyes the growth of Indian nationalism and the rise of Gandhi, and the impact of the Second World War on Madras.
Reliving his journey from junior member of the ICS to High Court judge, Wadsworth displays a shrewd acumen and a keen eye for the ridiculous. By no means uncritical of British rule, he emerges from these pages as a conscientious, humane and reasonable official—unlike some of his contemporaries—and one able to accept the huge changes overtaking India. The physical and moral demands of his daily routine reveal the commitment of an administration that, for all its failings, steadily pursued the goal of good and impartial government. Also featuring excerpts from the memoirs of other civil servants then in the province, A Judge in Madras will fascinate anyone interested in the colonial encounter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787383241
Publisher:	Hurst
Publication date:	06/01/2020
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 5.50(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Caroline Keen is a historian, holding a PhD from SOAS University of London. Her previous books include Princely India and the British: Political Development and the Operation of Empire; and An Imperial Crisis in British India: The Manipur Uprising of 1891.

Table of Contents

Author's Preface vii

Map viii

Introduction ix

Sir Sidney Wadsworth Timeline xv

List of Illustrations xvii

1 The History of Madras 1

2 Madras 1913 11

3 Vellore 1913-14 25

4 Gudur 1916-17 35

5 The Secretariat 1918-19 53

6 Two Interludes 1920-21 61

7 Madanapalle 1921-24 69

8 Political Warfare: Godaveri 1921 87

9 The Board 1924 97

10 Below the Lighthouse 1925 107

11 Chingleput 1926-28 121

12 Scouting 135

13 Madura 1929-33 143

14 Some Criminals 155

15 Thieves, Usurers and Snake-Catchers 163

16 Kodaikanal 175

17 Chittoor and Bangalore 1934-35 187

18 The Honourable Mr justice 1935-47 195

19 Gardening in South India 211

20 Madras at War 221

21 Envoi 235

Notes 245

Bibliography 271

Index 277

Editorial Reviews

"A vivid account of official life in late British India. Ad hoc solutions and eccentrics abound, and we even learn about the darker side of tigers and elephants. If only there were more books on the Raj like this." — Roderick Matthews, historian and author of Jinnah vs. Gandhi

"Caroline Keen adds a historian's eye to the rich and entertaining memoirs of Sir Sidney Wadsworth, presenting readers with an intimate portrait of South India in the early twentieth century. As vibrant as the tropical climes of the Coromandel Coast, this splendidly detailed book is a pleasure to read and an important contribution to the historiography of the Raj."—John Zubrzycki, journalist, researcher and author of Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic

"A timely reminder, among all the postcolonial polemics, that The Indian Civil Service gave India the world's finest administrative service, who did their very best for the subjects they ruled. This book, based on memoirs by a British judge, demonstrates the incorruptible dedication of thousands of officials of the Raj." — Zareer Masani, historian, broadcaster and author of Macaulay: Britain's Liberal Imperialist

"While colonialism these days stands rightly condemned, it is easy to forget that many of those caught up in its history were human too —
and, in the case of Sidney Wadsworth, remarkably humane."— David Washbrook, Fellow, University of Cambridge

From the Publisher