Unish Shataker Keranikatha by Sumit Chakrabarty [Hardcover]

"Two works from the latter half of the 19th century, Kerani-Darpan and Kerani Puran. These writings vividly portray the then-social status, daily life, personal, familial, and professional moments of clerks, an integral part of the colonial administration. Through close reading and annotation, more complex topics emerge. This annotated edition begins its discussion by touching on the similarities and differences between the clerks of the Company period and the British colonial era with their native predecessors. It discusses, one by one, the evolution of the nature and character of their work, the social status of the clerks in Calcutta in relation to the Bengali gentry, the health, salaries, and ups and downs of their careers, along with their historical roles parallel to the larger political and social changes of the colonial era. Through various moments of the daily life of Bengali clerks in 19th-century Calcutta, in offices, at home, and on the streets, this book identifies several important aspects of colonial modernity. This annotated edition, including the original writings, detailed annotations, and introduction, will significantly fill the gap in detailed discussions about the character of clerks in the 19th century."