Keeping the master cool, every day, all day: Punkah-pulling in colonial India (Record no. 522189)
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| 000 -LEADER | |
|---|---|
| fixed length control field | 03638nam a22001577a 4500 |
| 008 - FIXED-LENGTH DATA ELEMENTS--GENERAL INFORMATION | |
| fixed length control field | 230314b ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d |
| 100 ## - MAIN ENTRY--PERSONAL NAME | |
| Personal name | Sengupta, Ritam |
| 245 ## - TITLE STATEMENT | |
| Title | Keeping the master cool, every day, all day: Punkah-pulling in colonial India |
| 260 ## - PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC. (IMPRINT) | |
| Place of publication, distribution, etc | The Indian Economic and Social History Review |
| 300 ## - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION | |
| Extent | 69(1), Jan-Mar, 2022: p.37-74 |
| 520 ## - SUMMARY, ETC. | |
| Summary, etc | This article examines the dynamics of punkah-pulling, a laborious task performed by native servants in European households and barracks during colonial India. The study investigates the evolving distribution of labor and the increasing demands made by European masters on their servants' working time. It also explores how these demands were negotiated and implemented in practice. Native servants often resisted punkah-pulling due to factors such as caste, custom, or sheer exhaustion. Against the backdrop of these conflicts, the article analyzes the role of the colonial state, its legal framework, and regulatory functions in mediating the contested realm of domestic and service work throughout the nineteenth century. During the latter half of the century, punkah-pulling emerged as a distinct occupation, although it progressively declined in status within the hierarchy of service work. It also became a frequent target of racial violence. Within this context, the article addresses the material limitations encountered by the labor regimes associated with the continuous, labor-intensive nature of punkah-pulling, which ultimately led to the adoption of mechanized alternatives. By studying the historical development of punkah-pulling and its socio-economic implications, this article sheds light on the complex dynamics of power, labor relations, and colonial governance. It explores how the colonial state's legal and regulatory apparatus shaped the interactions between European masters and native servants, influencing the distribution of labor and the contested boundaries of domestic and service work. Furthermore, the article delves into the racial dimensions that emerged as punkah-pulling transitioned into a separate occupation and the increased violence directed towards those performing it. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of colonial labor practices and their socio-cultural implications. By examining the challenges and constraints faced by the labor regimes associated with punkah-pulling, the article highlights the material realities that influenced the eventual acceptance of mechanized alternatives. This research offers valuable insights into the intersection of power, labor, and technology in colonial settings, providing a nuanced perspective on the transformations within the domestic and service work sectors during the nineteenth century. In conclusion, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving dynamics of punkah-pulling in European households and barracks in colonial India. It explores the contested nature of labor relations, the role of the colonial state in regulating work, and the material constraints that ultimately led to the mechanization of punkah-pulling. This study contributes to our understanding of the broader socio-economic and racial dynamics of colonial societies, shedding light on the complexities of power, labor, and technology during this period. – Reproduced |
| 650 ## - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM | |
| Topical term or geographic name as entry element | Punkah, Domestic servant, Regulation, Violence, law de-domestication, Working time, Labour intermediaries, Fan, Caste, Colonial army, Followers. |
| 9 (RLIN) | 36897 |
| 773 ## - HOST ITEM ENTRY | |
| Main entry heading | The Indian Economic and Social History Review |
| 906 ## - LOCAL DATA ELEMENT F, LDF (RLIN) | |
| Subject DIP | DOMESTIC LABOUR |
| 942 ## - ADDED ENTRY ELEMENTS (KOHA) | |
| Item type | Articles |
| Withdrawn status | Lost status | Source of classification or shelving scheme | Damaged status | Not for loan | Permanent location | Current location | Date acquired | Serial Enumeration / chronology | Barcode | Date last seen | Koha item type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Public Administration | Indian Institute of Public Administration | 2023-03-14 | 69(1), Jan-Mar, 2022: p.37-74 | AR128431 | 2023-03-14 | Articles |