Nobodies to Somebodies: The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri LankaNobodies to Somebodies examines the origins and growth of the bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka during British rule - an important but neglected aspect of the country's modern history. It traces its evolution from a 'feudal' society and mercantilist economy, to the age of plantations. In the course of this evolution local merchants accumulated capital through arrack and toll renting, subsequently diversifying into plantation cultivation and graphite mining, thereby making dents in the old caste-based division of labour.This study assigns primacy to class over caste, and details the rise of the new-rich 'Nobodies' of many different castes, ethnicities and religions into the ranks of the 'Somebodies'. It discusses the links between capital accumulation, religious revivalism, ethnic identity and political movements, and the marriage 'cartels' which led to further concentration of wealth.The book focuses on the rentier nature of the bourgeoisie and how they adopted Western culture and lifestyles and were basically collaborative with the colonial rulers. It highlights the constraints on further capitalist development, the obsession of the bourgeoisie with land acquisition and social status, and its consciousness as a class, especially on issues of political reform. |
Contents
MAINLY NOBODIES IN A COLONIAL BACKWATER | 1 |
Taking Off Through the Arrack Trade | 37 |
MultiCaste Class Formation | 52 |
Copyright | |
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Other editions - View all
Nobodies to Somebodies: The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka Kumari Jayawardena No preview available - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
19th century acres active areas arrack farms arrack rents arrack trade Arunachalam Bastian became bourgeoisie British rule Buddhist Burghers capital capitalists caste Central Province Ceylon Ceylon National Congress Charles de Soysa Christian cinnamon coconut coffee Colombo Colombo Chetties colonial daughter distillers district Dutch early economic English estates ethnic export Fernando Government Agent Governor goyigama graphite graphite mines Hindu ibid important India industry investment island Jaffna Tamils James Peiris Jeronis Pieris Jeronis Soysa Kalutara Kandy Kandyan karava Korale labour land Legislative Council liquor trade Lorenz Maha Mudaliyar Marikar marriage married merchant missionaries Moratuwa Mudaliyar Muslim Negombo new-rich Obeyesekere officials owners Panadura Perera period plantation sector planters political Ponnambalam profits Province rents Ramanathan reforms renters retail Roberts rubber S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike salagama schools Senanayake Silva Sinhala Sinhalese SLNA social society Sri Lanka Susew Soysa tavern wealth Western Province women workers Wright