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.
- ISBN10 8175960655
- ISBN13 9788175960657
- Publish Date 30 May 2005 (first published 30 January 1997)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 18 November 2021
- Publish Country IN
- Imprint Foundation Books
- Format Paperback
- Pages 426
- Language English