My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills

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About the Book

"My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills' by Sir James Johnstone is a reflective memoir that offers an insightful glimpse into the British colonial administration in India during the late 19th century. The book encapsulates Johnstone's deep connection with the region, where he served as a political officer. It inter- twines personal anecdotes with broader political commentary, presenting an evocative narrative of his life and work in the remote and culturally rich areas of Manipur and the Naga Hills.

Johnstone's account is not just a recounting of events but a critique of the changing administrative policies under British rule. He contrasts the efficacy of the personal rule, which he favors, with the increasingly bureaucratic and impersonal system being imposed. Through his detailed observations, he highlights the adaptive and effective nature of traditional native governance, advocating for reforms built on existing foundations rather than imposing foreign systems.

The book also reflects on his wife's initial impressions of India, which reignited his own appreciation for the country's intricate social and political landscape. Johnstone's narrative-is infused with a sense of loss and nostalgia, lamenting the passing of an era while expressing hope for the future resilience of Manipur.

Preface

When I first brought my wife out to India in 1873, I was struck by the comments she made on things which had so long been part of my daily life. I had almost ceased to observe them. Every day she noted something new, and her diary was so interesting that I advised her to write a book on her "First Impressions of India," and she meant to do so, but never had time. Had she lived, this would have been a pleasure to her, but it was otherwise ordained. I feel now that I am in some way carrying out her wishes, by attempting a description of our life in India, though I am fully sensible that I cannot hope to achieve the pleasant chatty style in which she excelled.

Introduction

These experiences were written in brief intervals of leisure, T during the last few months of the author's busy life, which was brought to a sudden close before they were finally revised. Only last March when his nearest relations met at Fulford Hall to take leave of the eldest son of the house, before he sailed for India, the manuscript was still incomplete, and Sir James read some part of it aloud. His health had suffered greatly from over-fatigue in the unhealthy parts of India, in which his lot had been chiefly cast, but it was now quite restored and a prolonged period of usefulness seemed before him.