A Fly on the Wheel: How I helped to Govern India

The Narrative

This memoir is a thrilling document of governing the remote frontiers of 19th-century British India. Captain Thomas Herbert Lewin presents his administrative experiences in the deep forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Lushai Hills. It is not merely a military expedition; rather, it is an intimate observation of indigenous culture, mountain lifestyles, and the complex realities of British rule. The author very fluently describes the challenges of administering a judicial system in a hostile environment and building friendly relations with tribal communities. For those interested in India’s colonial history and anthropology, Lewin’s unique experience will provide excellent food for thought.