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Under the Raj: Prostitution in Colonial Bengal
Like other pre-colonial socio-economic formations, the profession of prostitution underwent a dramatic change in Bengal soon after the British take-over. Under the Raj explores the world of the prostitute in nineteenth century Bengal. It traces how, from the peripheries of pre-colonial Bengali rural society, they came to dominate the center-stage in Calcutta, the capital of British India--thanks to the emergence of a new clientele brought forth by the colonial order.
Sumanta Banerjee examines the policies the British administration implemented to revamp the profession to suit its needs, as well as to screen its practitioners in a bid to protect its minions in the army from venereal diseases. He also analyzes the class structure within the prostitute community in nineteenth century Bengal, its complex relationship with the Bengali bhadralok society--and, what is more important and fascinating for modern researchers in popular culture--the voices of the prostitutes themselves, which we hear from their songs, letters, and writings, collected and reproduced from both oral tradition and printed sources.
Sumanta Banerjee examines the policies the British administration implemented to revamp the profession to suit its needs, as well as to screen its practitioners in a bid to protect its minions in the army from venereal diseases. He also analyzes the class structure within the prostitute community in nineteenth century Bengal, its complex relationship with the Bengali bhadralok society--and, what is more important and fascinating for modern researchers in popular culture--the voices of the prostitutes themselves, which we hear from their songs, letters, and writings, collected and reproduced from both oral tradition and printed sources.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2000
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May 20, 2021Brilliantly researched, fascinating book!
August 1, 2021
The research methodology seemed very fascinating to me since it included oral history and memory, hitherto unexplored written documents, books, reports and letters. The arguments challenged the conventional archival documentation of prostitution in a well-thought manner. Though I did not always agree with the author in all his arguments and opinions, the logical conclusions were very pertinent. The journey of prostituion from pre-colonial to colonial period with the nuances of social composition, cultural space, proactive and reactive measures of administration, Bengali bhadrasamaj and prostitutes, their symbiotic relationship and the intersecting patriarchal and colonial ideology and politics are displayed in an efficient way.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews