Page 38 - Bulletin, Vol.78 No.2, June 2019

The British in India were markedly different from previous conquerors: they were
transient and went ‘home’; the Mughals dug roots and stayed. Among the Brits who
stayed only a while were Sir David Ochterlony who had 13 native bibis, and Col. James
Skinner of Skinner’s Horse, who had 14 native wives. Easy and friendly contact with
Indians quickly disappeared. Christian missionaries arrived, ‘white only’ clubs and
gymkhanas – even hotels and railways, appeared.

The titles given by the author to his chapters give—happily—easy clues to subsequent
buildings and happenings of note. Thus you have: The Raj and Segregation: Symbols of
British Pomp and Power; Palaces of the Raj; Indian Railways; Esplanades, Malls and
Markets; People, Customs and Costumes.

So the next chapter in our Author’s book is: English Theatre and Actors. During the
Edwardian and Victorian eras, plays and musical comedies were popular in Bombay
and Calcutta. A large number of theatres grew up rather quickly, from 1753 to 1839.
Local amateur English actors produced such plays as the Road to Ruin, Miss in her
Teens. Shakespeare of course, could never be forgotten, and Othello, Hamlet, Richard
III were among plays that were popular as well.

Esther Leach made a name for herself through her acting ability. She made a significant
contribution to the theatre in India, bringing over several actors and actresses from
London. She died a tragic death though a fire by an oil lamp, in 1843, at the age of 34.

Colonial English theatres opened in many towns such as Allahabad and Lucknow. In
1887, the Gaiety was built in Simla and maintained its popularity for many a year. The
Gaiety in London after which it was built was badly damaged and later demolished in
1956.

Mr Bhalla devotes a lively chapter to London and to the influence that it and its activities
had on Indian affairs. The reproductions of several London scenes from early 1900s
make it an attractive closing chapter.

A.S. Bhalla, Imperial India: A Pictorial History

(London: Austin Macauley; Chennai: Notion Press), 2018. Price: £23.99, 28.99 euros

THE SECOND PROFESSIONAL LIFE

OF A UNITED NATIONS RETIREE

By Marcel Mikala, UNOCHA retiree

After taking early retirement on 30 November 2014, I made a professional conversion
as a consultant. In order to optimize my second career, I created a small bureau, the
MM International Consulting (2MMIC/www.2mic.net/) with headquarters in Libreville,
Gabon, my home country, and a branch in France.

36 AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 78 No. 2, 2019-06