Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain

The expansion of the British Empire facilitated movement across the globe for both colonizers and colonized, including South Asian traveling ayahs (servants and nannies) who were often destitute in Britain. Arunima Datta's book "Waiting on Empire" explores the brave struggle of these ayahs to assert their rights and demand justice and humane treatment, challenging the stereotype of passive, inactive victims.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The British Empire's expansion opened up vast opportunities for movement and migration, impacting both the colonizers and the colonized. However, a significant group often overlooked in this narrative is South Asian traveling ayahs, who journeyed between India and Britain, often finding themselves destitute in Britain due to their struggles to return home to South Asia.

In her book, Waiting on Empire, Arunima Datta sheds light on the courageous struggles of these ayahs to assert their rights and secure fair treatment. Through the narratives of individual ayahs drawn from various sources, Datta reveals how they navigated precarious employment conditions, capitalized on social sympathy among certain segments of the British population, and engaged with British institutions and individuals to advocate for justice and humane treatment.

By re-imagining the experience of waiting, Datta challenges the prevalent notion that those who wait are passive, inactive victims. Instead, she highlights the resilience and agency of the traveling ayahs, who, despite their vulnerable position, defied stereotypes and fought for their rights.

This book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex dynamics of movement and migration within the British Empire and beyond. It sheds light on the experiences of marginalized groups and challenges the narratives that often overlook their struggles and contributions. Through the stories of the traveling ayahs, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human migration and the importance of recognizing and valuing the diverse voices and experiences that shape our world.

Weight: 686g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192848239