TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND BUILDING THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN MADRAS: COMMUNICAION AND SPEECH 1732-1898

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND BUILDING THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN MADRAS: COMMUNICATION AND SPEED, 1732-1898

This book explores the bleaching and dyeing of textiles technology, production of iron and steel technology, local building construction technology and knowledge transferred from Madras to England. The British in return introduced the technology of telegraph and railways into Madras besides reorganizing the institution of the post after the sepoy mutiny of Vellore. These tools helped immensely in building the British Empire. The impact of western technology on colonial Madras society was more heterogeneous and complex. The study examines how the postal system, telegraph and railway functioned as social spaces and served as means of colonial control, domination and power.

Jeyaseela Stephen is former directeur, Institut pour études Indo-Européennes (2013-2023). He was Professor of Maritime History (2001-2013) at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan. He has authored numerous books on the maritime history of early modern India. His books have been translated into Chinese, Danish, German and Tamil. He is the recipient of the Best Book Prize of the Year 1999 from the Government of Tamil Nadu. He received the Thiru Vi. Ka Award of 2023 by the Government of Tamil Nadu.