Bharata’s bibhatsa-rasa, Shudraka’s Mrcchakatika and Christian missionaries’ disgust

The ancient Indian aesthetic theory identifies bībhatsa, “disgust / aversion”, as one of the nine sensory states that determine the mood of dramatic and poetic works and by means of visual / verbal techniques affect a spectator/a reader. This term from Bharata’s Nāṭyaśāstra was adopted by Christian missions in India and used as an argument against the cultural traditions of the conquered subcontinent. The translation into Marathi (1864) of The Little Clay Cart, a Sanskrit drama by Shudraka, became the object of violent public controversy initiated by Rev. Henry Ballantine who found the image of the protagonist Vasantasena, a hereditary courtesan, “disgusting” and the play “shameful”. The final subjugation ofIndia after the defeat of the Sepoy Mutiny (1857–1858), and its transition under the British crown rule intensified the process of emotional indoctrination of subjects by resort to the notion of “disgusting” understood as anything not compatible with the Christian morality norms.

Constructing the Index of Arabs

This chapter elaborates the gradual dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War contributed to the nationalization of the Arab diaspora in the British and Dutch colonial imagination. It highlights a phenomenon which linked the diaspora to an Arab nation instead of the colonies in Southeast Asia where they had established themselves. As much as the surveillance was focused on Southeast Asia, the chapter reveals that the British interests in the Middle East, in the wake of the demise of the major imperial power in the region (the Ottomans), dictated the direction of surveillance policies. It outlines how the First World War formed a watershed moment in the history of British–Arab relations in Southeast Asia. The chapter also looks at how the strained wartime resources caused colonial officials to feel more vulnerable and isolated, leading them to cement their alliance with the Arab community. Ultimately, the chapter examines the constant attempts of the members of the Arab diaspora who continually tried to prove their utility and legitimacy to colonial authorities, culminating in 1915, in the wake of the Sepoy Mutiny in Singapore, in an alliance with the British of Muslims loyal to the king of England.

Conclusion

This chapter recounts how the members of the Arab diaspora attempted legal arbitrage under colonial rule. It analyses the members' expansion and modification of Islamic law, while at other times they policed the boundaries of Islamic law even as mere translators. The chapter tells the story of the surprising involvement of the outsider — the Arab diaspora — in aiding colonialists to accumulate legislative power. The pace of change from the mid-nineteenth century onward was brisk, and the Arab diaspora capitalized on it while attempting to navigate uncertainty and risk. This chapter also investigates how Arab diaspora in Southeast Asia were able to influence the shape of law to a great extent. It takes a look on how concessions to Arabs in the Straits Settlements, in the form of the Mohamedan Marriage Ordinance, and their appointments as members of the Mohamedan Advisory Board after the Sepoy Mutiny subsequently tied them more closely to the British colonial government, along with the rest of the Muslim population in the colony.

The Treasures of Asia

This chapter chronicles Celso Cesare Moreno's exploits in Asia, beginning with his decision to take to the sea like other Italian missionaries, explorers, and traders before him, such as Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama. Moreno's initial zone of activity was the Mediterranean, but he later made his way to the Cape of Good Hope, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and finally, India. Arriving in Calcutta in June 1859, Moreno became entangled in a bitter dispute with Giovanni Casella, a successful merchant, and Father Vincenzo Bruno, a missionary. The chapter also considers Moreno's role in the Sepoy Mutiny during his time in India; his “discovery” of Sumatra; his sojourn in China, where he became involved in the Taiping Rebellion; his failed attempt to convince the Italian government to establish a colony in Sumatra; his efforts to sell Sumatra to Napoleon III; and his travel to Indochina to explore scantly known regions, among other objectives.

Establishing Identity from the Skeletal Remains: In Reference of Alum Bheg a Martyr from 1857 Indian Freedom Struggle

Introduction: We undertook the present study to analyze morphological features of a skull supposed to be that of Alum Bheg, a martyr from 1857 Indian Freedom Struggle (also called Sepoy Mutiny), using established methods to validate identity with regards to age and height as available in the note found with the skull (about 32 year and 5 feet 7½ inch). Methods: Identification of sex of the skull was done based on established criteria. Analysis for closure of skull sutures (cranial and facial) and measurement of orbitomedial (OM) & maxillomedial (MM) facial anthropometric lines were undertaken to provide an estimated age against each examined suture as well as group of sutures through established scoring systems. Further, approximate height of individual was estimated from skull length using regression equations from a reference adult Indian male population. Results: Established criteria confirmed that the skull was of a male individual and skull sutures and age related morphological changes in bones indicate that it belonged to an individual in age range 20 -50 years with an average of 30 years and approximate height between 5 feet 8.2 inch to 6 feet 1 inch. Discussion: Based on our observations we suggest that the skull belonged to a male individual around 30 years of age and height 5 feet 8.2 inch to 6 feet 1 inch. The observed values are in approximation with that mentioned in the historical note and slight differences may be attributed either to gross reporting of original values or limitations of anthropometric analysis.