Archive / Papers / Hyde, E.S. Papers: Box 8

Description

  1. File A: India Office Library
    • Letters etc. relating to the India Office project which resulted in collecting papers on district administration during 1930-47 and the eventual publication of the book. The District Officer in India edited by Roland Hunt and published 17pp.
    • Report of the A.G.M. of the I.C.S. (Retired) Assoc. on 12 October 1977 in which this was reported, 2pp.
    • 35 inscriptions on Tombstones in Ellichpur Cemetery, Berar taken June 1931 by ESH with note, 4pp.
    • Another copy, 3pp.
  2. File B: Miscellaneous
    • Correspondence relating to inquiry from R. Chakravati, Bhopal, to ESH about Elwin correspondence.
    • Memorandum on openings in the Home Civil Service and Foreign Service for… ex I.C.S. etc. (1946) 7pp.
    • Another copy.
    • Memorandum on Vacancies ins the Colonial Service …for ex I.C.S. etc. 4pp.
  3. File C: India Office
    • Letters, circulars, forms, pamphlets relating to retirement from I.C.S pensions, terms, compensation, income tax relating to ESH, 1946-1965.
  4. File D
    • Three letters from David Baxter of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, to ESH. Written from Western Australia, asking for comment, information for his forthcoming book on the Central Provinces and Berar. 7.12.75; 14.4.76; 19.6.76. Xerox copy of a paper on ‘The Art of Governing: Sir Montagu Butler, the Central Provinces and Berar, India 1925-33’, 23pp. Letter from Librarian of IOL., 26.5.76.
  5. Envelope containing press cuttings on Bastar, (post Independence).
  6. Undated newspaper cuttings on Naga rebellion 1956.
  7. Envelope containing miscellaneous, newspaper cuttings, most undated, but many 1947/8.
  8. Envelope containing:
    • TS of ESH’s speech as Administrator Bastar State at the Dasehra of 1937. 8pp.
    • Printed copy of Dasehra speech of 1938 (printed) 4pp.
    • Printed copy of Dasehra speech of 1939, 4pp.
    • TS Notes, on Medical work in Bastar State (1938) 4pp.
    • Printed speech at Opening of the Maharani Hospital, Jagdalpur, Bastar State (?1938).
    • Another copy with TS.
  9. Papers relating to the proposal to constitute a High Court for the Chhattisgarh States Agency:
    • Memorandum on the Proposal to constitute a High Court for the Chhattisgarh. States Agency by ESH (Administrator, Bastar State) to N. Mitchell (P.A.) 30 September, 1939, Jagdalpur, 10pp.
    • Note on proposal, 18pp.
    • Letter from J.P. Mills, 15.4.40 commenting, 2pp.
    • Appreciation of the effects of the present policy of the Bastar Administration on the primitive population, by Yerrier Elwin, 11 February, 1940, 5pp.
    • Letter from Norval Mitchell, 24 April, 1940, in Jagdalpur, (Administrator, Bastar State from April 1940) relating to Govt. of Bastar.
    • Another 26 June, 1940, to Major R.R. Burnett, P.A. Chhattisgarh States, Raipur, relating to financial and anthropological aspects of proposed Govt. reforms, 5pp.
    • TS note July 1940 from W.V. Grigson, (Aboriginal Enquiry Officer) at Chhindwara, C.P. on his opposition to the idea of imposing uniform institutions based on British India models on Indian States which contain aboriginal people. 15pp.
    • Letter from Norval Mitchell, 2.8.40, on Bastar Admin.
    • Another, 27.8.40 about criticisms by (J.P.) Mills and (W.V.) Grigson of Govt’s. proposals. Hyde’s reply, 3pp.
    • Copy of Mitchell’s letter to (R.R.) Burnett, 27.9.40 relating to criticisms, and memorandum from Mitchell to Burnett on the Proposal to constitute a High Court for the Chhattisgarh States Agency, 30.9.39., 6pp.
  10. Copy of Memorandum from ESH (Administrator) on the Proposed Agency Policy reserve force for the Bastar States, 28 July, 1939. Also a note on Kadam Larai.
  11. Report on rinderpest in Sihora Tahsil during the year 1945 by S.D. Shakla, 2pp, 2 copies.
  12. Note from Lt. Col. A.G. Stewart to the Adjutant General, G.H.Q. New Delhi on an allegation made by the D.C. Jubbulpore (ESH) that he had made an improper attempt to influence the Courts of Justice, 2pp.
  13. MS petition for a job to the Raja of Bastar, 11 April, 1937.
  14. Request for sanction to write-off buildings, 4 December, 1930.
  15. Statement from Grindlays Bank.
  16. Application by ESH for employment in Political Dept. 5 February 1935, 2pp.
  17. Account of the opening of the Maharani Hospital, Jagdalpur (25 February, 1938).
  18. Letter to architect 14 April, 1938.
  19. TS Article ‘The Indian Prince’ (by ESH.) and a comment, 4pp. n.d.
  20. Letters and addresses of farewell to ESH on leaving Bastar, 1940, 14pp.
  21. Letters from Indians, 1937-43.
  22. Letters from Sir Montagu Butler, 24.7.33 and E.C. Gibson, 12.3.33 on ESH’s transfer to Bastar and from Sir Henry Twynham on transfer to Assam, 28.5.42, 4pp.
  23. Letter from Eric Gill about his portrait of the Maharani of Bastar, for the hospital. 25 April, 1938.
  24. Various letters, 6pp.
  25. Letter from C. Gordon to ESH, Pachmarhi, C.P. on an examination failure, 23.10.30., 2pp.
  26. Printed rules for the regulation of procedure of officers appointed to administer justice in the Lushai Hills, 25 March, 1937, and rules…in the Balipara Frontier Tract, 26 March., 1937, 4pp.
  27. Letter from A.G. McCall, in Shillong, on the situation, and ESH’s retirement, 16.7.44., 6pp.
  28. Two reports from the India Branch Office of the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers: Progress Reports Nos. 7 and 11 Bombay, 26 November, 1947 and 15 July, 1947.
  29. File 7: Papers relating to the I.C.S. Pension and Retirement; leave; 1913-1947.
  30. File 8: Lushai and Chin Hills, 1942-47 War
    • MS notes, articles, letters, etc. written 1943-4, together with newspaper cuttings of 1966, all relating to the war in the Lushai and Chin Hills (including printed incitement to desert addressed to Gurkhas of the I.N.A.).
    • TS photographs relating.to 1943-44 Lushai Hills and McCall’s Total Defence Scheme.
    • E.S. Hyde’s Identity Card, Indian Civil, Govt. of Assam.
    • 6 Single news-sheets printed at Pastor Thankynga Press, Aijal for 1942 – June, 10, 11, July 2 (2), 8 November.
    • 8 Letters from F.W. Haswell (Area Commander Chin Hills in T.D.S.) about his levies, and the war situation from Falam in the Chin Hills; gives atmosphere of the Total Defence Scheme 17.6.42 15.12.42.
    • a. Letter from Ian Bowman about S. Lushai defence forces. 21.9.42. Includes TS poem on The Leech, by Ian Bowman.
    • TS statement by Lalsiamliana son of Thuama of Chengpui who joined the 3rd Battalion, Burma Rifles and was taken prisoner by the Japanese and released eventually after about 8 months. Describes conditions and Japanese treatment. Recorded by L.L. Peters, Subdivisional Officer, Lungleh, 2pp.
    • TS letter, from Norman Kelly (Asst. Sup. Chin Hills) at Tiddim, about Japanese arrest of friendly Chins, and organisation of food for his levies, 6.11.42., 2pp.
    • Circular from G.O.C. in C. Eastern Army on reasons for limited operations in the Arakan, 15 May, 1943.
    • TS: E.S.H’s. Note on Lushai Hills Defence Scheme; relations, between V Force, and Political Officers. 8pp. Note of acknowledgement on behalf of the Governor (by J.P. Mills) 4 August, 1943.
    • Letter from G.E. Turnbull in Bungtlang to E.S.H., about need for food supplies, and conditions in other tribal areas, 9.3.44., 2pp.
    • Letter about murder of Peter Bankes, and situation in general, 20 March, 1944.
    • Confidential report on S. Lushai Hills by the Addnl. Supt. Lushai Hills in the fortnight ending 10.12.43., 2pp.
    • Confidential report on the N. Lushai Hills in the first helf of March 1944 by the Suptdt. Lushai Hills, 16.3.44.
    • Two telegrams.
    • a. Letter of appreciation to the Indian Tea Association for the help given by Indian tea planters during the war from ES11 1.8.44. Includes reply.
    • Letter from Ian Bowman, in Liverpool, to ESH about his war service, 25.5.49.
    • Correspondence with the Society of Postal Historians, 1976, 6pp.
    • Pennant used by ESH, and two Lushai combs. (Presented to University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge).
    • Maps 1/4 inch of Aijal, Haka, Lungleh, Tiddim. 1″ = 32m of Burma.
  31. Autobiographical Memoir: ‘India, First Person Singular’. 66 ff.
    1. Beginnings in the Central Provinces: Jubbulpore
      • Arrived in Bombay on 30 November 1928. Reminiscences of the voyage, first encounter of anti-Muslim feeling.
      • Journey to Jubbulpore. First meetings with Austin Layard, Deputy Commissioner and C.J. Irwin, the Commissioner. Hyde takes over as Assistant Commissioner and becomes Third Class Magistrate.
      • Reasons for choosing the Central Provinces. Describes his time at Cambridge and preparation for I.C.S. entrance exams at ‘Scoone’s Crammer’, London.
      • Outline of the scenery and culture of Central Provinces. Explains structure of Provincial Government and its ‘Indianization’.
      • Governor, Sir Montague Butler.
      • Working for Departmental Examinations. Duties as mining officer. Asked to become Reserve Officer by 1st/17th Dogra Regiment, Indian Army, and accepts. Importance of ‘Land Revenue’ work in District Officer’s duties.
      • ‘Flowering of the Bamboos’ and the ensuing plague of rats. Visits ‘scarcity camps’ in North Eastern area following partial crop failure in 1928.
      • The ‘Famine Code’. Involved listing those entitled to ‘gratuitous relief’. Visited old and sick. Often shocked by these visits. Began to realise the extent of the poverty problem.
      • Posted as Famine Assistant to Damoh, a minor District adjoining the Budelkhand States. Severe distress. Visit to Government House at Pachmarhi. Played first game of golf in India. September 1929 in Damoh, had first attack of fever. Taken to British Military Hospital in Jubbulpore. After convalescence posted back to Jubbulpore. Describes social events of ‘cold weather’ period – torchlight tatoo, etc.
      • Start of Congress Committee’s Civil Disobedience Campaign and Gandhi’s arrest. Fear of riots. Posted to town of Katni to arrange protection of local Europeans but no trouble. Hyde’s thoughts on the situation.
    2. Berar and Places East
      • In ‘hot weather’ of 1930 transferred to Amraoti in Berar. New system of Land Revenue Law because Berar leased from Nizam of Hyderabad. ‘Berar Question’. Describes Amraoti water shortage. Many local officials moved to nearby hill station. District Superintendent of Police, Nelson, arrives. Hyde has great respect for him.
      • Much trouble from ‘civil disobedience’ in Maratha country. Expresses dislike for Congress Party ‘agitators’ and their ‘methods’. Gives two examples of women and cripples being used in demonstration.
      • Explains expansion of cotton growing and consequent destruction of accessible woodland. Creation of ‘babul bans’.
      • Hyde appointed Sub-Divisional Officer and Magistrate of Chandhur Morsi Sub-Division. Goes on tour with Sikh Divisional Forest Officer, Hira Singh. ‘Cawnpore Massacres’ – Singh’s comments.
      • Importance of cotton crop to European community.
      • Christmas leave in Bombay.
      • Describes celebrations for Nizam’s birthday.
      • Observations on the villages of Berar.
    3. Ellichpur
      • Hyde posted to Ellichpur – first independent charge, situated at foot of Melghat Hill, on northern fringe of Berar Plain. Substantial Muslim community. First involvement in Muslim culture. Impressed by their dignity.
      • Much work. Made an Additional District Magistrate – tries more important cases. Recounts interesting gang robbery case. Hyde involved in ‘Tawler case’. He recorded the key confession. Describes events leading up to the confession and recounts the story he heard. Trial held in Amraoti. Accused found guilty and sentenced to death by Judge C.R. Hemeon. Case went to appeal and men acquitted. Expresses opinion that witnesses were bribed and coerced into altering evidence by accused’s family who were very powerful locally. Future difficulty in convicting influential men. Very heavy monsoon in 1931. Attempts to establish a flood relief committee. Descriptions of Chikalda – a pleasant Hill Station in Melghat Talug. Invited to stay by D.C. While on night-time tiger shoot gets badly bitten by mosquitos. Develops sepsis in his knee and has to undergo surgery without anaesthetic.
      • New outbreak of civil disobedience. Hyde posted as Additional Under Secretary to Home Department of the Provincial Government in Nagpur.
    4. Nagpur and Home Leave
      • Worked under Sir Hyde Gowan, Chief Secretary at the Nagpur Secretariat.
      • Acted as Secretary to the ‘Defence Committee’, presided over by Raghavendra Rao, the Home Member. Hyde gets appendicitis. Applied for home leave. Gets married in June and returns to India with wife and motor car in November 1932.
      • Describes eventful car journey from Bombay to Raipur, Headquarters of Chattisgarh Division, most backward area of C.P. Inhabited by Chamar untouchables. Hyde in charge of Eastern Sub-division.
      • Early 1933 goes on tour. Visits Zamindaris. Then posted to Seoni.
    5. Seoni
      • Independent sub-division on Satpura plateau. High proportion of aboriginal Gonds in population. Brief description of lifestyle in Seoni. Visited by ‘Gandhiji’. Felt tremors from Bihar earthquake of 1934.
      • Partial crop failure. Again making precautions for famine relief. Visited by Gowan and invited to his Christmas camp.
      • Autumn – sits ‘Reserves’ promotion exams in Poona. Weekend in Nagpur watching Provincial XI play MCC touring side.
      • Imprisonment of Subas Chandra Bose. Hyde’s opinions.
      • Early 1934 visited by Mr Gibson of Indian Political Department, first Agent to the Governor General of the new Eastern States Agency. Shortly afterwards offered post of Administrator for Bastar State.
      • Notes and Glossary.
    6. Bastar State
      • Good descriptions of the State and its history and people. Hyde referred to as ‘the Diwan’ because administered State on behalf of the Maharani Prafulla Kumari Devi.
      • Much to learn. Mrs Hyde pregnant. Heavy monsoon. Crop damage and much flooding. Takes wife to Nagpur for medical consultation. Cholera epidemic occurs. Considers value of centralized power structure in such emergencies. Some deaths in the State jail from phynodema (vitamin A deficiency).
      • Many schemes initiated or developed e.g. road from Raipur to Madras.
      • Presidency metalled. Plans begun for a hospital in Jagdalpur. Working plan for Golapalli Reserve Forest completed.
      • Visits Madras to see Commissioner of Excise about opium smuggling.
      • Maharani returns from England. Much revered by local people. Describes first correspondence and meeting with her.
      • Hyde’s eldest son born in December. In January accompanies Maharani to Delhi. Attends all-India conference on wildlife. Maharani talks with Viceroy. Problem of her husband, Profulla Chandra Singh Bhanj Deo, being Hindu man yet lower in status than his wife. April 1935 Maharani left Bastar. Returned to England in July, seriously ill. In her absence Hyde led Silver Jubilee Celebrations for King George V and Queen Mary. Maharani died in February 1936. Six year old son, Pravin Chandra Deo, proclaimed Maharaja. Interesting descriptions of ceremony and traditions.
      • Describes a form of bond service existing in Bastar. Evasion of ‘Kabadi Rules’. Fascinating descriptions of the tribes of Bastar, chiefly the Muria and Maria. Also Halba people and their involvement in the local salt trade. No caste restrictions but belief in black magic was universal.
      • Some cases of human sacrifice in Bastar between 1927-1942. Recounts three cases. Opposed to black magic were seers, or sirahas. Emphasises importance of medical help to aboriginal people. Particular need to treat the disease ‘Yaws’. Also vaccination against smallpox.
      • Bastar very poor State – low land revenue. Some income from excise duty and forests. Travels with State Engineer. Learns to ‘divine water’. Sets up scheme to protect village nistar forests in Jagdalpur Tahsil.
      • Still in operation in 1975/76. Interesting descriptions of wildlife in the State. People and cattle killed by tigers and panthers. Recounts story of a large hunt in 1937/38 for a family of man-eating tigers.
      • Agricultural improvement difficult. Ran small experimental farm near Jagdalpur.
      • Very interesting descriptions of the celebration of. Desehra, the national festival of Bastar, which occurred in October.
      • Bastar quite rich in archaeological remains. Hyde begins plans to preserve certain temples.
      • Iron ore deposits found in Bailadila Hills.
      • Describes other varied duties, e.g. running the Court of Wards.
      • Hyde’s deputation to Bastar was to end in March 1940 but he felt so opposed to Congress Government, particularly with regard to minorities, that he refused to serve under them in British India. His request to stay in Bastar was refused and Hyde left, as directed, in March.
  32. Five letters from Eric Gill to E.S. Hyde discussing the commission of a memorial portrait stone of the Maharani of Bastar. 7 November 1936 – 20 December 1937. 5ff.
  33. Five letters from the Monotype Corporation Limited concerning a drawing of the proposed memorial. 10 April 1959 – 20 May 1960. 5ff
  34. Sketch of the design of the memorial. Initialled E.G. 25.4.38′. If.
  35. Undated note by Hyde on the Maharani of Bastar. Hyde explains that the Maharani Hospital in Bastar was called in her memory and when he returned to a posting in British India, he left Gill’s sculptured panel to be erected in the forecourt of the hospital. 2f.
  36. Undated note by Gill which covered a working drawing of the relief sculpture. Gill notes that the sculpture was delivered to Jadalpur, Bastar in 1939. 1f
  37. Folder:
    • 22 photographs of Hyde and various others in India.
    • 2 certificates awarding a medal to Hyde.
    • News article ‘An Indian Aboriginal Tribe’.
    • A table of results of the final examination of the one-year Indian Civil Service Probationers, August 1928.
    • Covenant Of E.S Hyde, member of the Civil Service of India.
    • ‘A visit to Pakistan, 40 years on’ 15th April-7th May 1986.
    • British business in India. What of the future?
    • The Indian Civil Service: Challenge and response between the two world wars by Ann Ewing.
    • Indian Civil Service (retired) association annual general meeting, 1980.
    • A case of human sacrifice in Antagarh Tahsil.
  38. Folder:
    • 2 Invitations to Hyde to visit the centre of South Asian studies.
    • 13 letters to Hyde from the director of the centre of South Asian studies, B.H Farmer.
    • A menu from the 5th of March 1975.
    • 4 letters to Hyde from the national film archive.
    • Letter from the Indian Office Library and records.
    • Letter from the British library.
    • South Asian studies in Cambridge.
    • News article about the Maharanee’s Jewels.
    • The government servants’ conduct rules 1935.
    • The Statesman India Overseas edition, 29/8/1947.
    • A paper on the prospects of the Indian Civil Service.
    • 2 news articles.
    • 8 letters from the Office of the Accountant General.
    • Statement of income tax deductions.
    • Pay bill for Hyde.
    • Details of recoveries.
    • Letters about the Indian Civil Service Family Pension Fund.