Chapter BISNAGAR to BLACK of B by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

Present be made him of Six hundred Rupees to buy a Horse, that it may encourage him to act in like manner.”—Ft. St. David Cons., Feb. 6. (MS. Record, in India Office).

1750.—“Having received information that some Blacks residing in this town were dealing with the French for goods proper for the Europe market, we told them if we found any proof against any residing under your Honors’ protection, that such should suffer our utmost displeasure.”—Ft. Wm. Cons., Feb. 4, in Long, 24.

1753.—“John Wood, a free merchant, applies for a pass which, if refused him, he says ‘it will reduce a free merchant to the condition of a foreigner, or indeed of the meanest black fellow.’”—Ft. Wm. Cons., in Long, p. 41.

1761.—“You will also receive several private letters from Hastings and Sykes, which must convince me as Circumstances did me at the time, that the Dutch forces were not sent with a View only of defending their own Settlements, but absolutely with a Design of disputing our Influence and Possessions; certain Ruin must have been the Consequence to the East India Company. They were raising black Forces at Patna, Cossimbazar, Chinsura, &c., and were working Night and day to compleat a Field Artillery…all these preparations previous to the commencement of Hostilities plainly prove the Dutch meant to act offensively not defensively.”—Holograph Letter from Clive (unpublished) in the India Office Records. Dated Berkeley Square, and indorsed “27th Decr. 1761.”

1762.—“The Black inhabitants send in a petition setting forth the great hardship they labour under in being required to sit as arbitrators in the Court of Cutcherry.”—Ft. Wm. Cons., in Long, 277.

1782.—See quotation under Sepoy, from Price.

“…the 35th Regiment, commanded by Major Popham, which had lately behaved in a mutinous manner…was broke with infamy.…The black officers with halters about their necks, and the sepoys stript of their coats and turbands were drummed out of the Cantonments.”—India Gazette, March 30.

1787.—“As to yesterday’s particular charge, the thing that has made me most inveterate and unrelenting in it is only that it related to cruelty or oppression inflicted on two black ladies.…”—Lord Minto, in Life, &c., i. 128.

1789.—“I have just learned from a Friend at the India House, y^t the object of Treves’ ambition at present is to be appointed to the Adaulet of Benares, w^h is now held by a Black named Alii Caun. Understanding that most of the Adaulets are now held by Europeans, and as I am informed y^t it is the intention y^t the Europeans are to be so placed in future, I s^hd be vastly happy if without committing any injustice you c^d place young Treves in y^t situation.”—George P. of Wales, to Lord Cornwallis, in C.’s Corresp. ii. 29.

1832-3.—“And be it further enacted that …in all captures which shall be made by H. M.’s Army, Royal Artillery, provincial, black, or other troops.…”—Act 2 & 3 Will. IV., ch. 53, sec. 2.

The phrase is in use among natives, we know not whether originating with them, or adopted from the usage of the foreigner. But Kala admi ‘black man,’ is often used b y them in speaking to Europeans of other natives. A case in point is perhaps worth recording. A statue of Lord William Bentinck, on foot, and in bronze, stands in front of the Calcutta Town Hall. Many years ago a native officer, returning from duty at Calcutta to Barrackpore, where his regiment was, reported himself to his adjutant (from whom we had the story in later days). ‘Anything new, Subadar, Sahib?’ said the Adjutant. ‘Yes,’ said the Subadar, ‘there is a figure of the former Lord Sahib arrived.’ ‘And what do you think of it?’ ‘Sahib,’ said the Subadar, ‘abhi hai kala admi ka sa, jab pota ho jaega jab achchha hoga!’ (‘It is now just like a native—‘a black man’); when the whitewash is applied it will be excellent.’

In some few phrases the term has become crystallised and semi-official. Thus the native dressers in a hospital were, and possibly still are, called Black Doctors.

1787.—“The Surgeon’s assistant and Black Doctor take their station 100 paces in the rear, or in any place of security to which the Doolies may readily carry the wounded.”—Regulations for the H. C.’s Troops on the Coast of Coromandel.


In the following the meaning is special: 1788.—“For Sale. That small upper- roomed Garden House, with about 5 biggahs (see BEEGAH) of ground, on the road leading from Cheringhee to the Burying Ground, which formerly belonged to the

Moravians; it is very private, from the number of trees on the ground, and having lately received considerable additions and repairs, is well adapted for a Black Family. Apply to Mr. Camae.”—In Seton-Karr, i. 282.