Robb, Peter (2013) 'Mr Upjohn’s Debts: Money and Friendship in Early Colonial Calcutta.' Modern Asian Studies, 47 (4). pp. 1185-1217.
|
Text (Author's version)
- Draft Version
Download (115kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The paper discusses the effective operation of money and credit among Europeans in Calcutta around 1800, arguing for the importance of informal processes and ties of friendship that facilitated, regulated and enforced agreements, helping both to tide over individuals in times of economic stress and to underwrite the provision and transfer of capital. The argument is advanced by a detailed case study in regard to debts owed by one resident, Aaron Upjohn, to another, Richard Blechynden, amidst a web of acquaintance, officialdom and law that variously ensured that the debts were honoured. It is defined as ‘a support system among acquaintances, necessitated in part by shortage of money and abundance of risk’.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Calcutta, friendship, money, debt |
| SOAS Departments & Centres: | Legacy Departments > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Department of History |
| ISSN: | 0026749X |
| Copyright Statement: | © Peter Robb 2011 |
| DOI (Digital Object Identifier): | https://doi.org/10.1017/S0026749X12000625 |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2012 11:49 |
| URI: | https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/13392 |
Altmetric Data
Statistics
Accesses by country - last 12 months | Accesses by referrer - last 12 months |
Repository staff only
 |
Edit Item |