Events

Jointly organized by the Asia Research Institute, and Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore.

CHAIRPERSON

Prof Brian Farrell, Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

ABSTRACT

Nineteenth-century colonial armies were reliant on animal labor to supply forces in the field. In South Asia and parts of Africa, the premier pack animals were camels and mules. This talk introduces some of the preliminary findings and the research design for a study of militarized human-animal relations in colonial Asia. The topics to be discussed include reform of the Supply and Transport corps of the Indian Army from one based on the ad hoc impressment of camels into military service to the creation of permanent camel and mule units overseen by trained professionals. The second topic addressed deals with the development of a global market for the acquisition of donkey studs and mules from North and South America, southern Europe and north and southwest China by the end of the nineteenth century. Third, I discuss the role of veterinary medicine in creating a “rational” animal management schema and in identifying and treating animal diseases that appear to have been endemic in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and Africa.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

James Hevia’s research has focused on empire and imperialism in eastern and central Asia. Primarily dealing with the British Empire in India and Southeast Asia and the Qing Empire in China, the specific concerns have been with the causes and justifications for conflict; how empire in Asia became normalized within Europe through markets, exhibitions, and various forms of public media; and how the events of the nineteenth century are remembered in contemporary China. Both Cherishing Men from Afar (1995) and English Lessons (2003) focus on these issues. Subsequent research has centered on how the British in India developed and became dependent upon the production of useful knowledge about populations and geography to maintain their Asian empire. The first part of this project deals with military intelligence and appears in The Imperial Security State (2012). The second part of the project addresses military logistics, the uses of pack animals in warfare, and the physical transformation of the Punjab as a resource for supporting a security regime in Northwest India.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free. We would greatly appreciate if you RSVP to Dr Portia Reyes via email: hisrp@nus.edu.sg.