India, March 8 -- After the Battle of Buxar in 1764, an uneasy truce prevailed between the Nawab of Awadh and the British East India Company for nearly a century. This fragile balance ultimately reached a critical juncture when the last 'king' of Awadh was abruptly deposed by the Company. The tumultuous events from 1857 to 1858 then enveloped the Indian subcontinent, with Delhi and Lucknow emerging as the epicentres of the freedom struggle. The British were aware that it was an impossible task to administer such a large territory on their own, despite having won decisive victories against the 'natives.' Moreover, unlike earlier invaders, who often chose to settle in the lands they conquered, the British remained focused on amassing wealth from India, only to eventually retreat to their European homeland. They regarded the indigenous populace with a sense of disdain and contempt - sentiments that were reciprocated with equal fervour by the 'natives.' The British Raj, often romanticised through print and visual art, was anything but idyllic. In this hostile scenario, it was also envisaged by the colonial administration that Indians, now a conquered race, should make efforts to assimilate themselves in European society, or at least be aware of European societal norms, being 'quite possible that tastes and habits that are approved in Indian, may be discountenanced in European society.' A manual, 'English Etiquette for Indian Gentleman', by WT Webb published by Thacker Spink, Bombay in 1890, sought to address many of these issues. It was observed in a supercilious manner that 'for India, an era of change has begun; gradually her time-bound customs are being modified, and her ancient landmarks removed. And there is danger that, with much that is not worth preserving, the simple dignity and refined courtesy that marked the 'fine old Indian gentleman' may be thrust aside by the new ideas and levelling theories which the first superficial contact with Western knowledge and civilisation brings in its train.' Among its long list of instructions, the manual hilariously noted that, 'an Indian gentleman should be careful in company to suppress those ebullitions which are considered amongst his own people to be indicative of his having enjoyed breakfast. Hiccupping etc, if tolerable in the home circle, is very unbecoming in public' and that 'an Indian gentleman, when talking to Englishmen, should not speak of other Englishmen, whether official or non-official, without giving them appropriate titles.' Thus, he should not say, 'Brown told me so-and-so, but Mr Brown, or Sir Richard Brown, or Lord Brown, as the case may be.' British etiquette dictated that one should 'avoid loud coughing or violent blowing of the nose (which should never be done with the fingers) in public and not to sniff or snuffle. All such noises were unpleasant to others, and therefore impolite. Indians were instructed to remember that 'it was impolite to whisper, hum, or whistle, or to break out into loud roars of laughter. Never to bite or pick nails or scratch oneself, and avoid the little nervous gestures in which some people indulge, such as fingering their noses, or laying hold of their ears during conversation.' In social interactions, especially when ladies were present, it was well to avoid topics of 'adultery, fornication, childbirth, miscarriage.' Indians were 'not to wander about the room on a tour of inspection, or finger ornaments and other articles.' They were advised 'never to think of attempting to dance, unless one knew the step and had learnt to dance properly' and 'to be very careful not to get in the way of those who were dancing as the object of a ball was dancing and not lounging about.' During dining, one was not supposed to 'eat quickly or ravenously; the mouth was to be opened just as the fork reached the lips and not before.' Rattling or clattering with cutlery was taboo, and making a noise while masticating food was a strict no-no. At the table, one should be 'beware of gaping; in case of a yawn, one should place the hand before the mouth and ask for pardon from the neighbouring person.' Some leeway was allowed in informal garden parties, but the tone was very formal during official receptions and balls, where dignitaries were present. A couple of decades later, perhaps realising late in the day that alienating the native population, particularly Indians who possessed some status and had a say in society could also be detrimental to British interests, the colonial administration now prepared an official 17-page 'Manual on Indian Etiquette' in 1910, published by F. Luker, Government Press, Nainital/Allahabad. The manual was 'to be sent to all European officers who joined the Indian Govt Service since January 1, 1908, and copies to be sent in future to all officers on their final arrival in India.' The manual noted that 'the customs and usages of Indian society differ in certain points from those of Europe, and the uninformed are therefore liable to commit unwittingly acts of discourtesy which alienate the sympathy and worsen the feelings of their Indian visitors...every officer of the government should realise the importance of cultivating friendly relations with Indian gentlemen.' However, despite half-hearted attempts to bring the ruling British and educated Indians socially closer through etiquette and societal norms, the schism between the rulers and the ruled continued to spiral uncontrollably. By 1905, the boycott of British goods had already started and 1916 was the year for starting the Home Rule Movement. The rest, as they say, is history. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...