
BY EDWARD F. ELWIN - OF THE SOCIETY OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, COWLEY - AUTHOR OF "INDIAN JOTTINGS," "THIRTY-FOUR YEARS IN POONA CITY," "STORIES OF INDIAN BOYS," ETC.
PREFACE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
INDIA AND THE INDIANS
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTORY
CHAPTER II - INDIAN HOSPITALITY
CHAPTER III - THE INDIAN VIEW OF NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE
CHAPTER IV - INDIAN EMPLOYERS OF LABOUR
CHAPTER V - THE INDIAN POSTAL SERVICE
CHAPTER VI - INDIANS AND ENGLISH CUSTOMS
Through the eyes of a long‑time resident, this vivid account captures daily life across the Indian subcontinent at the turn of the twentieth century. The author weaves personal anecdotes—from the gentle routine of a village boy named Felix to bustling market scenes—into a broader portrait of a nation in transition. Warm humor and careful observation reveal how customs, religion, and everyday chores intersect in the lives of ordinary people. Readers are invited to feel the texture of Indian hospitality, the cadence of its music, and the rhythm of its work.
The book moves beyond mere description, offering thoughtful commentary on the challenges and hopes that face a society awakening to new ideas while rooted in ancient traditions. Topics range from architecture and agriculture to the complexities of the postal service and the spirited world of local games. Illustrated with period photographs, each chapter presents a distinct facet—whether the vibrant festivals, the quiet discipline of monks, or the pragmatic concerns of merchants. It provides a sympathetic, if sometimes colonial, lens that encourages listeners to reflect on cultural exchange and responsibility.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (476K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-01-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
These books come from an Anglican missionary writer who spent years in western India and wrote closely observed accounts of life in Poona and Bombay. His work mixes travel writing, social description, and mission history, offering a distinctly early-20th-century view of India under British rule.
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