Episode March 22, 2025 25 min 57s

From Little London to Little Bengal: Religion, Print, and Modernity in Early British India

"From Little London to Little Bengal" explores the intricate cultural, religious, and social interactions between Britain and Bengal during the early 19th century. The text examines how the concept of a miniature "Little London" in Calcutta shaped and was challenged by the burgeoning print culture, the arrival of missionaries, and the emergence of Indian intellectuals like Rammohun Roy and the Derozians. It analyzes the impact of evangelicalism and the debates surrounding idolatry, alongside the rise of English-language education and the formation of new public spheres. The book further investigates the phenomenon of "returned exiles" in London's "Little Bengal" and Rammohun Roy's engagement with British society. Through the lens of phenomena like panoramas, annual literary publications, and social clubs, the study reveals the complex negotiations of identity and authority within the imperial context. Ultimately, the work demonstrates a dynamic and contested landscape of cultural exchange rather than a simple imposition of British norms.

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