Empire and Information: Intelligence Gathering and Social Communication in India, 1780–1870(Series Number 1 Cambridge Studies in Indian History and Society)

In a penetrating account of the evolution of British intelligence gathering in India, C. A. Bayly shows how networks of Indian spies were recruited by the British to secure military, political and social information about their subjects. He also examines the social and intellectual origins of these 'native informants', and considers how the colonial authorities interpreted and often misinterpreted the information they supplied. It was such misunderstandings which ultimately contributed to the failure of the British to anticipate the rebellions of 1857. The author argues, however, that even before this, complex systems of debate and communication were challenging the political and intellectual dominance of the European rulers.

Table of Contents:
List of maps; Preface; Glossary; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Prologue: surveillance and communication in early modern India; 2. Political intelligence and indigenous informants during the conquest of India, c. 1785–1815; 3. Misinformation and failure on the fringes of empire; 4. Between human intelligence and colonial knowledge; 5. The Indian ecumene: an indigenous public sphere; 6. Useful knowledge and godly society, c. 1830–50; 7. Colonial controversies: astronomers and physicians; 8. Colonial controversies: language and land; 9. The information order, the Rebellion of 1857–9 and pacification; 10. Epilogue: information, surveillance and the public arena after the Rebellion; Conclusion: 'knowing the country'; Bibliography; Index.

Review :
'... a work so rich in historical observation and so full of critical insight deserves to be read and reflected upon well beyond the community of South Asia scholars and imperial historians'. David Arnold, The Times Higher Education Supplement 'Empire and Information is one of the most important books on Indian history to appear in the past fifty years.' Clive Dewey, The Times Literary Supplement 'Empire and Information secures its place not only as the best and most enjoyable, but also the most radical reflection on Anglo-Indian history that I encountered throughout the long and historiographically conservative summer of the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the Raj.' Historical Journal 'This absorbing and persuasive study of a vital but neglected area of historical enquiry offers valuable insights into the complex interaction of East and West during the nineteenth century and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the shaping of modern India.' Economic History Review