Percival Spear
Encyclopedia
Thomas George Percival Spear (1901–1982) was an English
historian who spent much of his life living and teaching in India
. An accomplished historian of modern Indian social history, he taught at both Cambridge University and St. Stephen's College
with great distinction.
In 1943 he became deputy secretary to the government of India
in the department of information and broadcasting. He also served for a time in 1944 as government whip in the Federal Assembly, the precursor to independent India's Parliament
. He was awarded the OBE
in 1946.
and his India
, Percival Spear wrote, "The dominion of Bengal
was not desired in itself, but only as a safeguard
for peaceful commercial operations ... Rule
by legal fiction
and by deputy was both safer and cheaper in the conditions of the time."
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
historian who spent much of his life living and teaching in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. An accomplished historian of modern Indian social history, he taught at both Cambridge University and St. Stephen's College
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
with great distinction.
In 1943 he became deputy secretary to the government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in the department of information and broadcasting. He also served for a time in 1944 as government whip in the Federal Assembly, the precursor to independent India's Parliament
Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India. Founded in 1919, the Parliament alone possesses legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all political bodies in India. The Parliament of India comprises the President and the two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha...
. He was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1946.
Books
In his book Master of Bengal: CliveRobert Clive, 1st Baron Clive
Major-General Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, KB , also known as Clive of India, was a British officer who established the military and political supremacy of the East India Company in Bengal. He is credited with securing India, and the wealth that followed, for the British crown...
and his India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Percival Spear wrote, "The dominion of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
was not desired in itself, but only as a safeguard
Safeguard
In the technical language of the World Trade Organization system, a safeguard is used to restrain international trade in order to protect a certain home industry from foreign competition. A member may take a “safeguard” action In the technical language of the World Trade Organization (WTO)...
for peaceful commercial operations ... Rule
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
by legal fiction
Legal fiction
A legal fiction is a fact assumed or created by courts which is then used in order to apply a legal rule which was not necessarily designed to be used in that way...
and by deputy was both safer and cheaper in the conditions of the time."