Reading Information

Bernard Cohn, Chapter 5: “Cloth, Clothes, and Colonialism: India in the Nineteenth Century,” Colonialism and its Forms of Knowledge

Overview

This chapter in Cohn’s book analyzed the significance of the clothing of the Indian people. The different garbs worn by the Indians all had a direct tie to their culture, ethics, and religion. According to Cohn, “clothes are not just coverings and matters of adornment, not can they be understood as only as metaphors of power and authority, nor as symbols; in many contexts, clothes literally are Authority” (Cohn, 114). The British realized that by stripping their individuality and traditional clothing they could conquer them. They forced the Indians to change their clothing and conform to what they wanted. By controlling their appearance in the public eye, the British had full control of how the world perceived Indians and how they perceived each other. The British presented the Indians with gifts to gain their trust and on the surface many Indians appeared to conform. However, on the inside they had resentment towards the British for changing their lifestyles. In order to distinguish between British soldiers and Indian soldiers, all Indian soldiers were required to wear turbans. This became an identifying element to the Indians. This grouped all the Indians into one category rather than identifying each person as an individual. The British justified this saying that the turban is to protect their heads from the sun. With the additional clothes and heat, many Indian soldiers contracted illnesses and diseases and did not have proper healthcare.

Keywords

1. Peshwa – a prime minister
2. Cosmography – study of map features
3. Zanana – a part of the house where women were not allowed in

Argument

Cohn makes the argument that by changing the garbs of the Indian people, they were able to make them conform to British rule.

Evidence

Cohn’s premises are supported by the success of this tactic. By changing the way the Indians dressed they were exposed to different diseases and illnesses that they weren’t exposed to before. Because of the overwhelming heat and lack of hygiene many Indian soldiers’ health hindered. This caused them to rely on the British for help.

Contribution to Our Understanding of Colonial Rule

This chapter helped me understand the significance of the smaller things that people take for granted. People typically associate colonialism with large-scale changes but even a change in clothing was able to help the British conquer India. Clothing is a basic part of everyday life that people do not pay much mind to. But understanding how different things can be when that part of your life is dictated it puts things into perspective of how little changes can have a huge impact.