Colonial Masculinity: The 'Manly Englishman' and the' Effeminate Bengali' in the Late Nineteenth Century

by Mrinalini Sinha

Colonial masculinity places masculinity at the centre of colonial and nationalist politics in the late 19th century in India. Mrinalini Sinha situates the analysis very specifically in the context of an imperial social formation, examining colonial masculinity not only in the context of social forces within India, but also as framed by and framing political, economic, and ideological shifts in Britain.

Genres: History, India, Nonfiction, Academic, Gender, Queer, Queer Studies

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jessica Fure · Rating 3 out of 5]

A discussion of colonial "ideal" masculine identity performed at the expense and counter of the masculinity of the indigenous, particularly the Bengali and the babu. Unmanning the colonized serves to underscore the masculine identity of colonizers.
Covers a selection of particular cases in chronological order:
The Ilbert Bill (1883-84) - would have allowed native judges and magistrates to preside over trials of British and Anglo-Indians. Objected to on the basis of supposed mistreatment of Indian women and projected prejudices supposing treatment of Anglo women. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilbert_Bill)
The Native Volunteer Movement (1885-1886) - Native volunteers rejected due to a supposed languid, "unsportsmanlike" temperament. One prospective changes his name specifically to enjoy tiger hunt, is discovered and rejected. Some echoes of anti-Irish movement.
The Public Service Commission (1886-1887)- testing policies and ages adjusted. Originally testing in London only, age lowered to gear towards Oxbridge and cramming school policy. Native and lower-economic class candidates often excluded via "gentlemanly" qualifications, such as the riding test. "Bengali-phobia" and prejudices against Western-educated Bengali. Ghose's testimony undercut and criticized by "lack of manners" - a burp.
Age of Consent 1891 - Attempt to change/criminalize martial consummation age, raising from ten to twelve, without restricting child marriage. Meant to curtail male sexuality, not to preserve female rights. Accusations of "debasement" inherent in indigenous character.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, unique perspective on gender, perception, and its influence in all spheres of the colonial/colonized experience, including political economy.

[Marsha Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for graduate school.

[noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of scholarship/history/background but good overview

[Cath Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of scholarship but also very interesting.