European University Institute Library

Empire and information, intelligence gathering and social communication in India, 1780-1870, C.A. Bayly

eng

index present

non fiction

Empire and information

electronic resource

dictionaries

1030121529

C.A. Bayly

Cambridge studies in Indian history and society, 1Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

intelligence gathering and social communication in India, 1780-1870

In a penetrating account of the evolution of British intelligence gathering in India, C. A. Bayly shows how networks of Indian spies were recruited by the British to secure military, political and social information about their subjects. He also examines the social and intellectual origins of these 'native informants', and considers how the colonial authorities interpreted and often misinterpreted the information they supplied. It was such misunderstandings which ultimately contributed to the failure of the British to anticipate the rebellions of 1857. The author argues, however, that even before this, complex systems of debate and communication were challenging the political and intellectual dominance of the European rulers.--, Provided by publisher

Empire & Information