Week-2
Monday—Gadgil and Guha, Review by Richards of Gadgil and Guha’s This Fissured Land
(saved online as “Richards-2”)
Today we will discuss a short extract from one of the first books on Indian Environmental History by
the well-known ecologis Madhav Gadgil and the sociologist Ramchandgra Guha. With a PhD from
Harvard, Gadgil is a founding member of the Center for Ecological Sciences in India and has a special
interest in theoretical ecology. Ramachandra Guha, trained as a sociologist in Delhi has authored
numerous books on historical sociology and ecology. Both authors were among the first to attempt a
single survey of South Asian environmental history—but they do it primarily from the perspective of
the modern period. Groundbreaking when it was published, it has recently come under a number of
critiques by newer studies by historians and ecologists.
We will read this piece and the review of the work by Richards for two main ideas: 1) to understand
the changes that take place in S. Asian ecology during the colonial period and 2) to understand how
disciplinary methodology effects arguments. That is, how does Richards, trained as an early-modern
historian think about environmental history vs. Gadgil (a theoretical ecologist) v. Guha (a sociologist).
Vocabulary/Terms:
Marathas—A warrior group in the southwest of India around the modern city of Mumbai (formerly
Bombay). The Marathas, originally a peasant group, conquered much of central and southern India
during the 18th c. Organized as a confederacy under five chiefs, the Marathas proved to be formidable
opponents of the East India Company’s troops. It would take a series of three long wars extending into
the early 19th c. for the Company to take over Maratha lands.
1857: The first major rebellion by soldiers and peasants against the East India Company rule in North
India. Described as India’s first “War of Independence” by India Historians and the “Indian Mutiny”
by Colonial historians. At the end of this war, the British crown and parliament dissolved the
government of the East India. Co. and made India a crown colony.
Deodar—an Indian variety of Cedar
Baden-Powell, Baden Henry—a prolific colonial author of influential texts on Indian land holding,
law, and agrarian customs. Not to be confused with the founder of the scouting movement, Sir Robert
Baden-Powell who was also a colonial official in Indian and Africa.
Tipu (p. 125)—Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the post-mughal state of Mysore in the 18th C
1. What changes occurred in land and resource use in S. Asia during the colonial period?
2. In what ways does the account of Gadgil and Guha about the pre-colonial past differ from that
of John F. Richards (which we read last week)? Note the differences both in facts, but also in
methodology.
3. What were the major arguments about colonial forestry policy during the late 19th C? In what
ways did Baden-Powell and Brandis disagree with each other and why?
4. Explain how this chapter details the way in which colonial officials viewed forests. According
to Gadgil and Guha how did the colonial view compare with indigenous Indian beliefs?
5. Read Richard’s review of This Fissured Land—are his comments on Gadgil and Guha’s work
justified? Why are the perspectives of these authors so different?
Wednesday—John M. Mackenzie, extracts from The Empire of Nature
Mackenzie is a historian of the British Empire and is particularly interested in its social and cultural
history. In the section we read Mackenzie discusses the place of hunting in Victorian England, noting
in particular its association with status, gender, and the self-image of a new Empire. As your read
think both about the larger argument that Mackenzie is making as well as the tone and style of his
writing.
Vocabulary/Terms:
Nimrod—a sarcastic reference to the great Babylonian warrior and hunter, not used in the American
slang sense
Landseer—a well known Victorian painter known for his romanticized paintings of Scotland and
hunting
Public schools—the elite preparatory schools of England such as Eton
Residents—British officials posted at the courts of Indian rulers who had considerable influence on the
politics and administration of the state.
Howdah—a canopied platform mounted on an elephant to allow someone to ride it.
ICS—Indian Civil Service, the administrative wing of colonial government
1. According to Mackenzie why did the new sensibilities of the artists and intellectuals of the
Romantic movement in 19th century England towards the natural world not lead to a any
change in attitudes towards hunting?
2. In what ways did the culture of hunting and hunting trophies symbolize gender and class
status?
3. How were young boys encouraged towards an engagement with natural science, sports, and
hunting? Why were these considered important subjects for schoolboys in this era?
4. Why did hunting hold a special place in colonial society in India? Why were certain animals—
tigers, elephants, and pigs prized as prey?
5. How did hunting produce a range of relationships, some conflicted, some not, between officials
and local communities?
6. How does Mackenzie’s writing style relate to his argument? Does he succeed in affirming his
point?