Working-Class Raj: Colonialism and the Making of Class in British India

Working-Class Raj explores the experiences of working-class men and women in India during the 19th century, using a diverse collection of letters and diaries to hear their voices for the first time. It reveals how they were part of a globalized population, shaped by their experiences in India and other parts of the empire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Working-Class Raj delves into the lives of the military men, railway workers, and wives and children of the British working class who traveled to India following the Rebellion of 1857. By utilizing a diverse collection of previously unseen letters and diaries, the book offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from these individuals, providing a firsthand account of their experiences.

Despite enjoying immense privilege in India, these working-class Brits remained part of the working class within the Army and railway hierarchies. They were a potentially disruptive population that required containment. Their lives involved working in India, emigrating to settler colonies, and frequently returning to Britain, all while striving to maintain family ties across imperial distances. The British working class in the nineteenth century was a globalized population, with individuals interconnected through their work and experiences across the empire.

Working-Class Raj emphasizes that working-class men and women were not isolated individuals but rather integral members of communities that spanned the empire. These communities were profoundly shaped by the imperial context, influencing their identities, relationships, and experiences. The book sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by these individuals as they navigated the vast and diverse landscapes of the British Empire.

This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme, aimed at making academic research more accessible and affordable. Additionally, it may be available Open Access on the Cambridge Core website. For further details, please visit the Cambridge Core website.

ISBN-13: 9781009356589