On Time: Encounters between India and Europe in Early Calcutta

The author navigates the complex temporal landscape of early colonial Calcutta, where European clock-based standardisation encountered and co-existed with indigenous temporal frameworks. The analysis illuminates how time manifested across diverse contexts—from distance perception and collective memory to religious festivals, scientific endeavours, financial transactions and labour relations. It assesses extensions of law, imperfections of policy and both European and Indian reactions.

Drawing upon a rich tapestry of sources, including the collection of Richard Blechynden's diaries and papers, this study offers unprecedented insight into daily temporal experiences of both Europeans and Indians which (it is argued) foreshadowed major changes to come. It will be significant reading for scholars and researchers of colonialism, South Asian history, India-England relations, temporal studies and modern Indian history.