Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-20T00:57:47.064Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Languages of Petitioning in Early Colonial India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2019

James A. Jaffe
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

With relatively few exceptions, personal petitions from individuals have received much less attention from historians than those from groups in the public political sphere. In one sense, personal petitions adopted many of the same rhetorical strategies as those delivered by a group. However, they also offer unique insights into the quotidian relationship between the people and their rulers. This article examines surviving personal petitions to various administrators at different levels of government in western India during the decades surrounding the East India Company’s conquests. The analysis of these petitions helps to refine our understanding of the place of the new judicial system in the social world of early-nineteenth-century India, especially by illuminating the discourse of justice that petitioners brought to the presentation of their cases to their new governors. The conclusion of this article seeks to place the rhetoric of personal petitioning within the larger context of mass political petitioning in India during the early nineteenth century.

Type
Special Issue Article
Information
Social Science History , Volume 43 , Issue 3: The Transformation of Petitioning , Fall 2019 , pp. 581 - 597
Copyright
© Social Science History Association, 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Many thanks to Henry Miller for his kind and gentle persistence that was necessary to see the project through to the end.

References

Archival Sources

Appajee, Dadjee (1825) “Petition of Dadjee Appajee, Severa Nisbut Chowdrey, January 25 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Petitions, Vol. 12/96.Google Scholar
Bhochund (1824) “Bhouchund and Khooshalchund, Heirs to the Estate of Reepchund Khemchund Deceased, appellants, v. Puntapchund Manuckchund, Respondent, January 7 1824.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 2/58.Google Scholar
Bramny, S. B. (1823) “Saobriah Bravund Bramny to Montstuart Elphinstone, March 22 1823.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 6/63.Google Scholar
Dhondew, B. (1824) “Bappoo Dhondew to Mountstuart Elphinstone, November 15 1824.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 6/63.Google Scholar
Dhumdherey, M. R. (1825) “Memorandum of Moro Ragoonath Dumdherey Aged 11 Years Soor-sun-Sit-Ushur-Myantyn-ouluf (A. D. 1825/26), November 1 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 5/106.Google Scholar
Doshawbhoy, P. (1825) “The humble Petition of Ponnjeabhaee Doshawbhoy,” 19 August 1825, Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 4/84.Google Scholar
Dumdarah, M. R. (1823) “Moroo Ragoonath Dumdarah to Mountstuart Elphinstone.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Civil Judicature, Diary 18D, Volume 23.Google Scholar
Krishnu, P. (1820) “Translation of a Petition from Panderong Krishnu and Lumkray Bullal Narsawey Koolkurnees of the Villages of Wajooray Boojoorg Khoord to the Honorable the Governor, Dahot the 7th Magsur Vud 1742 Lalbahan or December 26 1820.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 10/11.Google Scholar
Mulharjee, C. V. (1825) “Petition of Cassibah Valud Mulharjee, Boradah [Baroda], et al., January 17 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Petitions, Vol. 12/96.Google Scholar
Wilder, T. (1820) “Supt. T. Wilder to Francis Warden, August 20 1820.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Diary 18B, Volume 21, 1821.Google Scholar
n.a. (1819) “Circular of the Honble the Commissioner to the Collectors in the Newly Acquired Territories from the Late Paishwa, Dated October 25 1819.” British Library. IOR/P/398/71, Bombay Judicial Consultations, February 23–March 29, 1820.Google Scholar
Barja, W. (1790) “Barja Woman (Complainant) v. Duarcay Woman (Defendant), October 12 1790.” Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, 14 September 1790–21 December 1790. British Library, IOR P/418/1.Google Scholar
Josee, N. D. G. (1826) “Translation of a Petition from Narayen Damother Gupchoop Josee, Dated April 2 1826.” British Library. IOR/P/399/58, Bombay Judicial Consultations, April 5–26, 1826.Google Scholar
Rookey, Caun Bhutt (1791) “Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, November 1–December 29 1791, Caun Bhutt Rookey vs. Callian Bhutt admr of Foolboy, 8 November 1791.” British Library, IOR/P/418/7.Google Scholar
Row, D., et al. (1821) “Petition from Dawlut Row, Goupore Ressauldar and Peraujee Row Dated the 15th Ultimo, September 5 1821.” British Library, IOR/P/399/2. Bombay Judicial Consultations, August 22–September 12, 1821.Google Scholar
Rullonjeeshaw, Nozershaw (1793) “Nozershaw Rullonjeeshaw—Complt. v. Bomonjee Dhunjeeshaw—Defendt, January 29 1793.” British Library, IOR/P/418/21. Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, 8 January 1793–19 February 1793.Google Scholar
Seton, Daniel (1796) “Surat: Judicial Diary, March 15 1796.” British Library, IOR/G/36/81.Google Scholar
Vullud, S. H. (1822) “Substance of a Petition from Cazy Suyud Hullum Vullud, Cazy Suyud Ahmed a Dweller at Sungumned to the Honble Mountstuart Elphinstone Governor of Bombay, July 17 1822.” British Library IOR/P/399/14, Bombay Judicial Consultations, June 5–31 July 1822.Google Scholar
n.a. (1726) Charter Granted to the United Company of Merchants of England, Trading to the East-Indies.Google Scholar
n.a. (1831) Minutes of Evidence Taken before the Select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company. Parliamentary Papers (65), volume V.Google Scholar
n.a. (1852–53) “The Memorial of East Indians of the Presidencies of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, at Present Residing in London.” Reports from the Select Committee on Indian Territories: together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence, and appendix. Parliamentary Papers (1853).Google Scholar
n.a. (1853) The Opinions of the Natives of the Bombay Presidency, Respecting the Later Suddur Removals. Bombay: Native Community of Bombay.Google Scholar
n.a. (1855) “The Humble Petition of the Undersigned Members of the Managing Committee Appointed at a Public Meeting of the Parsee Inhabitants of Bombay.” First Report of Her Majesty’s Commissioners appointed to prepare a Body of Substantive Law for India. Parliamentary Papers (1863).Google Scholar
Dándekar, N. B. (1868) Key to Váchanmálá, with an Introd., Containing Remarks on the Current Marathi Character and on Forms Used in Petitions and in Official Correspondence. Poona: Government of Bombay.Google Scholar
Appajee, Dadjee (1825) “Petition of Dadjee Appajee, Severa Nisbut Chowdrey, January 25 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Petitions, Vol. 12/96.Google Scholar
Bhochund (1824) “Bhouchund and Khooshalchund, Heirs to the Estate of Reepchund Khemchund Deceased, appellants, v. Puntapchund Manuckchund, Respondent, January 7 1824.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 2/58.Google Scholar
Bramny, S. B. (1823) “Saobriah Bravund Bramny to Montstuart Elphinstone, March 22 1823.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 6/63.Google Scholar
Dhondew, B. (1824) “Bappoo Dhondew to Mountstuart Elphinstone, November 15 1824.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 6/63.Google Scholar
Dhumdherey, M. R. (1825) “Memorandum of Moro Ragoonath Dumdherey Aged 11 Years Soor-sun-Sit-Ushur-Myantyn-ouluf (A. D. 1825/26), November 1 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 5/106.Google Scholar
Doshawbhoy, P. (1825) “The humble Petition of Ponnjeabhaee Doshawbhoy,” 19 August 1825, Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Appeals, Vol. 4/84.Google Scholar
Dumdarah, M. R. (1823) “Moroo Ragoonath Dumdarah to Mountstuart Elphinstone.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Civil Judicature, Diary 18D, Volume 23.Google Scholar
Krishnu, P. (1820) “Translation of a Petition from Panderong Krishnu and Lumkray Bullal Narsawey Koolkurnees of the Villages of Wajooray Boojoorg Khoord to the Honorable the Governor, Dahot the 7th Magsur Vud 1742 Lalbahan or December 26 1820.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Vol. 10/11.Google Scholar
Mulharjee, C. V. (1825) “Petition of Cassibah Valud Mulharjee, Boradah [Baroda], et al., January 17 1825.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers, Judicial Department, Petitions, Vol. 12/96.Google Scholar
Wilder, T. (1820) “Supt. T. Wilder to Francis Warden, August 20 1820.” Maharashtra State Archives, East India Company Papers Judicial Department, Civil Judicature, Diary 18B, Volume 21, 1821.Google Scholar
n.a. (1819) “Circular of the Honble the Commissioner to the Collectors in the Newly Acquired Territories from the Late Paishwa, Dated October 25 1819.” British Library. IOR/P/398/71, Bombay Judicial Consultations, February 23–March 29, 1820.Google Scholar
Barja, W. (1790) “Barja Woman (Complainant) v. Duarcay Woman (Defendant), October 12 1790.” Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, 14 September 1790–21 December 1790. British Library, IOR P/418/1.Google Scholar
Josee, N. D. G. (1826) “Translation of a Petition from Narayen Damother Gupchoop Josee, Dated April 2 1826.” British Library. IOR/P/399/58, Bombay Judicial Consultations, April 5–26, 1826.Google Scholar
Rookey, Caun Bhutt (1791) “Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, November 1–December 29 1791, Caun Bhutt Rookey vs. Callian Bhutt admr of Foolboy, 8 November 1791.” British Library, IOR/P/418/7.Google Scholar
Row, D., et al. (1821) “Petition from Dawlut Row, Goupore Ressauldar and Peraujee Row Dated the 15th Ultimo, September 5 1821.” British Library, IOR/P/399/2. Bombay Judicial Consultations, August 22–September 12, 1821.Google Scholar
Rullonjeeshaw, Nozershaw (1793) “Nozershaw Rullonjeeshaw—Complt. v. Bomonjee Dhunjeeshaw—Defendt, January 29 1793.” British Library, IOR/P/418/21. Bombay Mayor’s Court Proceedings, 8 January 1793–19 February 1793.Google Scholar
Seton, Daniel (1796) “Surat: Judicial Diary, March 15 1796.” British Library, IOR/G/36/81.Google Scholar
Vullud, S. H. (1822) “Substance of a Petition from Cazy Suyud Hullum Vullud, Cazy Suyud Ahmed a Dweller at Sungumned to the Honble Mountstuart Elphinstone Governor of Bombay, July 17 1822.” British Library IOR/P/399/14, Bombay Judicial Consultations, June 5–31 July 1822.Google Scholar
n.a. (1726) Charter Granted to the United Company of Merchants of England, Trading to the East-Indies.Google Scholar
n.a. (1831) Minutes of Evidence Taken before the Select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company. Parliamentary Papers (65), volume V.Google Scholar
n.a. (1852–53) “The Memorial of East Indians of the Presidencies of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, at Present Residing in London.” Reports from the Select Committee on Indian Territories: together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence, and appendix. Parliamentary Papers (1853).Google Scholar
n.a. (1853) The Opinions of the Natives of the Bombay Presidency, Respecting the Later Suddur Removals. Bombay: Native Community of Bombay.Google Scholar
n.a. (1855) “The Humble Petition of the Undersigned Members of the Managing Committee Appointed at a Public Meeting of the Parsee Inhabitants of Bombay.” First Report of Her Majesty’s Commissioners appointed to prepare a Body of Substantive Law for India. Parliamentary Papers (1863).Google Scholar
Dándekar, N. B. (1868) Key to Váchanmálá, with an Introd., Containing Remarks on the Current Marathi Character and on Forms Used in Petitions and in Official Correspondence. Poona: Government of Bombay.Google Scholar

References

Bayly, C. A. (2008) Elphinstone, Mountstuart (1779–1859). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press. www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/8752 (accessed May 25, 2011).Google Scholar
Bear, Laura (2007) Lines of the Nation: Indian Railway Workers, Bureaucracy, and the Intimate Historical Self. New York: Columbia University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandavarkar, Rajnarayan (1994) The Origins of Industrial Capitalism in India: Business Strategies and the Working Classes in Bombay, 1900–1940. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choksey, R. D. (1950) The Aftermath: 1818–1826. Bombay: New Book Co.Google Scholar
Davis, Natalie Zemon (1987) Fiction in the Archives: Pardon Tales and Their Tellers in Sixteenth-Century France. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.Google Scholar
Gatrell, V. A. C. (1994) The Hanging Tree: Execution and the English People, 1770–1868. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Inagaki, H. (2016) “The Rule of Law and Emergency in Colonial India: The Conflict between the King’s Court and the Government in Bombay in the 1820 s.” PhD diss., King’s College London.Google Scholar
Jaffe, James (2015) Ironies of Colonial Governance: Law, Custom and Justice in Colonial India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jain, M. P. (2006 [1952]) Outlines of Indian Legal and Constitutional History, 6th ed. New Delhi: Wadhwa and Co. Nagpur.Google Scholar
Lumsden, N. J. (1953 [1819]) “Lumsden’s Report on the Judicial Administration of the Peshwas, September 6 1819,” in Gune, V. T. (ed.) The Judicial System of the Marathas. Poona: Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.Google Scholar
Mukherjee, Mithi (2010) India in the Shadows of Empire: A Legal and Political History, 1774–1950. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
O’Hanlon, R. (2019) “In the Presence of Witnesses: Petitioning and Judicial ‘Publics’ in Western India, c. 1600–1820.” Modern Asian Studies 53 (1): 52–88. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0026749X17000968 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharafi, M. (2010) “The Marital Patchwork of Colonial South Asia: Forum Shopping from Britain to Baroda.” Law and History Review 28 (4): 979–1009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siddiqi, Majid (2005) The British Historical Context and Petitioning in Colonial India. Delhi: Aakar Books.Google Scholar
van Voss, L. H., ed. (2002a) Petitions in Social History. Supplement 9, International Review of Social History 46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
van Voss, L. H., (2002b) “Introduction,” in van Voss, L. H. (ed.) Petitions in Social History. Supplement 9, International Review of Social History 46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar