Stories written by

John O’Brien

Why a letter from an orphan to Queen Victoria upset the British India Office

Aine wrote to the queen with no demands, but a wish for the welfare of the royal family.

John O’Brien
· Mar 12, 2023 · 07:30 pm
Cries for help: Letters to the British India Office in the 19th century

The department would frequently field pleas for help from members of the public.

John O’Brien
· Dec 05, 2022 · 09:30 pm
Getting an Indian passport has always involved red tape, as files from the archives show

Leafing through the British Library’s Kashmir Residency Records.

John O’Brien
· Oct 02, 2022 · 07:30 pm

When the British asked the French to jail Madame Cama, the ‘mother of Indian revolution’

For decades, the British government surveilled the Parsi freedom fighter.

John O’Brien
· Apr 09, 2022 · 09:30 pm
In images: The anger in India against the Raj-appointed Simon Commission

The exclusion of Indian members from the panel prompted outrage in the country, with both Congress and the Muslim League boycotting it.

John O’Brien
· Jan 15, 2022 · 07:30 pm
Bhicoo Batlivala: The forgotten freedom fighter whose US tour made the British government anxious

She was an active member of the India League and at one point Jawaharlal Nehru’s secretary.

John O’Brien
· Sep 25, 2021 · 09:30 pm

Video

See all

Eco India: How climate resilient fox nuts are helping Bihar's farmers tackle crop losses

Nov 17, 2024 · 08:55 am
Eco India, Episode 274: How worsening environmental conditions call for action and innovation

Nov 16, 2024 · 03:25 pm
Eco India: Kanpur's tanneries adopt sustainable practices to cut environmental impact

Nov 10, 2024 · 08:55 am
Eco India, Episode 273: How cleaner alternatives pave way for a sustainable future

Nov 09, 2024 · 03:25 pm
Watch: Crises of belonging and citizenship in Assam

Nov 07, 2024 · 03:30 pm

The British were met with fire and fury when they tried to conduct a census in 1870s Bengal

The resistance by Santals spread fear and panic among the British and other local groups.

John O’Brien
· Nov 26, 2019 · 01:30 pm
When a desperate British government called on Indian Army officers to take up civilian jobs

In 1926, when thousands of bus drivers, dock workers and workers in electricity and building industries went on strike, the government came up with an idea.

John O’Brien
· Nov 03, 2019 · 01:30 pm

John O’Brien

Why a letter from an orphan to Queen Victoria upset the British India Office

Aine wrote to the queen with no demands, but a wish for the welfare of the royal family.

John O’Brien · Mar 12, 2023 · 07:30 pm

Cries for help: Letters to the British India Office in the 19th century

The department would frequently field pleas for help from members of the public.

John O’Brien · Dec 05, 2022 · 09:30 pm

Getting an Indian passport has always involved red tape, as files from the archives show

Leafing through the British Library’s Kashmir Residency Records.

John O’Brien · Oct 02, 2022 · 07:30 pm

Trending

Gautam Adani met ex Andhra CM Jagan Reddy to offer $200 million bribe, alleges US securities panel

2 hours ago

Not stubble burning, cars are the main villain in Delhi's apocalyptic air pollution

15 hours ago

Why the Adani indictment matters for India

3 hours ago

How a British suffragist brought Ajanta’s ancient paintings into the light of modernity

Nov 19, 2024 · 11:30 am

Why the US has accused Adani of hiding its alleged bribes in India from American investors

7 hours ago

When the British asked the French to jail Madame Cama, the ‘mother of Indian revolution’

For decades, the British government surveilled the Parsi freedom fighter.

John O’Brien · Apr 09, 2022 · 09:30 pm

In images: The anger in India against the Raj-appointed Simon Commission

The exclusion of Indian members from the panel prompted outrage in the country, with both Congress and the Muslim League boycotting it.

John O’Brien · Jan 15, 2022 · 07:30 pm

Bhicoo Batlivala: The forgotten freedom fighter whose US tour made the British government anxious

She was an active member of the India League and at one point Jawaharlal Nehru’s secretary.

John O’Brien · Sep 25, 2021 · 09:30 pm

Video

Eco India: How climate resilient fox nuts are helping Bihar's farmers tackle crop losses

Nov 17, 2024 · 08:55 am

Eco India, Episode 274: How worsening environmental conditions call for action and innovation

Nov 16, 2024 · 03:25 pm

Eco India: Kanpur's tanneries adopt sustainable practices to cut environmental impact

Nov 10, 2024 · 08:55 am

Eco India, Episode 273: How cleaner alternatives pave way for a sustainable future

Nov 09, 2024 · 03:25 pm

Watch: Crises of belonging and citizenship in Assam

Nov 07, 2024 · 03:30 pm

The British were met with fire and fury when they tried to conduct a census in 1870s Bengal

The resistance by Santals spread fear and panic among the British and other local groups.

John O’Brien · Nov 26, 2019 · 01:30 pm

When a desperate British government called on Indian Army officers to take up civilian jobs

In 1926, when thousands of bus drivers, dock workers and workers in electricity and building industries went on strike, the government came up with an idea.

John O’Brien · Nov 03, 2019 · 01:30 pm

Take Scroll With You

John O’Brien
· Mar 12, 2023 · 07:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Dec 05, 2022 · 09:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Oct 02, 2022 · 07:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Apr 09, 2022 · 09:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Jan 15, 2022 · 07:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Sep 25, 2021 · 09:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Nov 26, 2019 · 01:30 pm

John O’Brien
· Nov 03, 2019 · 01:30 pm