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The Story of the Tattooed Lady: Scandal and the Colonial State in British Burma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 December 2018

Diana Kim
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Abstract

This article centers on Branded Woman v. Unknown, an unusual 1889 trial that gave birth to the “ordinarily accepted significance” of Burmese tattoos. What began as a snippet of gossip from a colonial village became a scandal involving the highest echelon of Britain's metropolis. I explain why this dynamic of escalation occurred and how colonial officials in Burma utilized a courtroom to transform tenuous fictions of tattooing into a seemingly coherent fact about Burma. My argument that this process—shaped through cues from a fragmented audience of peers (rather than a single audience of subordinates)—represents the production of an elite public transcript highlights how colonial scandals worked as eventful moments for an always precarious state to reconfigure its claim to power by prompting local agents to enact expressions of certainty. It further carries implications for scholarship on symbolic state power and the construction of legal facts and public knowledge.

Type
Articles
Information
Law & Social Inquiry , Volume 37 , Issue 4 , Fall 2012 , pp. 969 - 990
Copyright
Copyright © American Bar Foundation, 2012 

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References

References: Primary Sources

India Office Records, British Library (London, UK)

  1. Manuscript Collections

    1. Mss. Eur. F 98, File 1, 3: Private Papers of Temple, Richard.

    2. Mss. Eur. E 254: Private Papers of White, Herbert Thirkell.

  2. Public and Judicial Department Records 1795–1950 (L/P&J)

    1. L/P&J/6/255, File 1053: On House of Commons Question on Allegations of Abuse of Power by British Officers in Burma Being Published in Indian Newspapers.

      1. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 20, 1889).

      2. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 23, 1889).

    2. L/P&J/6/252, File 1830: On Recent Telegrams in the London “Times” (1889).

    3. L/P&J/6/265, File 2072: On Proceedings in the Matter of the Alleged Branding of a Burmese Woman on Her Forehead by Order of a Police Officer.

      1. Demi-Official letter from C. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner of Burma to Name Unknown, Inspector General of Police, Burma (May 31, 1889).

      2. Demi-Official Letter from M. J. Chisholm, District Superintendent of Police, Myingyan to Inspector General of Police, Burma (June 23, 1889).

      3. Demi-Official Letter from R. Martin Esq., District Superintendent of Police, Mandalay to Inspector General of Police, Burma (July 3, 1889).

      4. Demi-Official Letter from Z. M. D'silva, Proprietor of Mandalay Herald Press to R. Temple, Cantonment Magistrate, Mandalay (July 7, 1889).

      5. Brief by C. B. Cooke, Major, District Magistrate, Criminal Case Miscellaneous Case No. 49 (August 26, 1889).

      6. Annexure No. 9: Proceedings in the Court of the District Magistrate, Mandalay for Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 49.

        1. Testimony of Ma Nge, 1st Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889, Trial Testimony: August 2, 1889).

        2. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889).

        3. Testimony of G. Swewan, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

        4. Testimony of Maung Ny Lun, 3rd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

        5. Testimony of Maung An Gyi, 3rd Witness of Defense (August 13, 1889).

        6. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 4th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

        7. Testimony of Maung San Po, 5th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

        8. Testimony of Maung Sin, 6th Witness of Prosecution (August 19, 1889).

        9. Testimony of Po Ye, 7th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1989.

        10. Testimony of Nga Tha Han, 8th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1889).

        11. Testimony of Malcolm Chisholm (August 19, 1889).

        12. Testimony of H. N. Hirjee, Voluntary Witness (August 20, 1889).

      7. Letter from H. T. White, Officiating Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma to the Inspector General of Police, Burma (October 4, 1889).

      8. Resolution from Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner in the Judicial Department, No. 743P (October 2, 1889).

    4. L/P&J/6/216, File 2081: On the Burma Commission.

  3. Proceedings and Consultations, 1702–1945 (P)

    1. P/2720 Government of India, Home Department: Upper Burma Proceedings, 1886.

Manuscript Collections

  1. Mss. Eur. F 98, File 1, 3: Private Papers of Temple, Richard.

  2. Mss. Eur. E 254: Private Papers of White, Herbert Thirkell.

Mss. Eur. F 98, File 1, 3: Private Papers of Temple, Richard.

Mss. Eur. E 254: Private Papers of White, Herbert Thirkell.

Public and Judicial Department Records 1795–1950 (L/P&J)

  1. L/P&J/6/255, File 1053: On House of Commons Question on Allegations of Abuse of Power by British Officers in Burma Being Published in Indian Newspapers.

    1. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 20, 1889).

    2. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 23, 1889).

  2. L/P&J/6/252, File 1830: On Recent Telegrams in the London “Times” (1889).

  3. L/P&J/6/265, File 2072: On Proceedings in the Matter of the Alleged Branding of a Burmese Woman on Her Forehead by Order of a Police Officer.

    1. Demi-Official letter from C. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner of Burma to Name Unknown, Inspector General of Police, Burma (May 31, 1889).

    2. Demi-Official Letter from M. J. Chisholm, District Superintendent of Police, Myingyan to Inspector General of Police, Burma (June 23, 1889).

    3. Demi-Official Letter from R. Martin Esq., District Superintendent of Police, Mandalay to Inspector General of Police, Burma (July 3, 1889).

    4. Demi-Official Letter from Z. M. D'silva, Proprietor of Mandalay Herald Press to R. Temple, Cantonment Magistrate, Mandalay (July 7, 1889).

    5. Brief by C. B. Cooke, Major, District Magistrate, Criminal Case Miscellaneous Case No. 49 (August 26, 1889).

    6. Annexure No. 9: Proceedings in the Court of the District Magistrate, Mandalay for Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 49.

      1. Testimony of Ma Nge, 1st Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889, Trial Testimony: August 2, 1889).

      2. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889).

      3. Testimony of G. Swewan, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

      4. Testimony of Maung Ny Lun, 3rd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

      5. Testimony of Maung An Gyi, 3rd Witness of Defense (August 13, 1889).

      6. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 4th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

      7. Testimony of Maung San Po, 5th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

      8. Testimony of Maung Sin, 6th Witness of Prosecution (August 19, 1889).

      9. Testimony of Po Ye, 7th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1989.

      10. Testimony of Nga Tha Han, 8th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1889).

      11. Testimony of Malcolm Chisholm (August 19, 1889).

      12. Testimony of H. N. Hirjee, Voluntary Witness (August 20, 1889).

    7. Letter from H. T. White, Officiating Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma to the Inspector General of Police, Burma (October 4, 1889).

    8. Resolution from Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner in the Judicial Department, No. 743P (October 2, 1889).

  4. L/P&J/6/216, File 2081: On the Burma Commission.

L/P&J/6/255, File 1053: On House of Commons Question on Allegations of Abuse of Power by British Officers in Burma Being Published in Indian Newspapers.

  1. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 20, 1889).

  2. Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 23, 1889).

Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 20, 1889).

Question by Charles Bradlaugh (June 23, 1889).

L/P&J/6/252, File 1830: On Recent Telegrams in the London “Times” (1889).

L/P&J/6/265, File 2072: On Proceedings in the Matter of the Alleged Branding of a Burmese Woman on Her Forehead by Order of a Police Officer.

  1. Demi-Official letter from C. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner of Burma to Name Unknown, Inspector General of Police, Burma (May 31, 1889).

  2. Demi-Official Letter from M. J. Chisholm, District Superintendent of Police, Myingyan to Inspector General of Police, Burma (June 23, 1889).

  3. Demi-Official Letter from R. Martin Esq., District Superintendent of Police, Mandalay to Inspector General of Police, Burma (July 3, 1889).

  4. Demi-Official Letter from Z. M. D'silva, Proprietor of Mandalay Herald Press to R. Temple, Cantonment Magistrate, Mandalay (July 7, 1889).

  5. Brief by C. B. Cooke, Major, District Magistrate, Criminal Case Miscellaneous Case No. 49 (August 26, 1889).

  6. Annexure No. 9: Proceedings in the Court of the District Magistrate, Mandalay for Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 49.

    1. Testimony of Ma Nge, 1st Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889, Trial Testimony: August 2, 1889).

    2. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889).

    3. Testimony of G. Swewan, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

    4. Testimony of Maung Ny Lun, 3rd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

    5. Testimony of Maung An Gyi, 3rd Witness of Defense (August 13, 1889).

    6. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 4th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

    7. Testimony of Maung San Po, 5th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

    8. Testimony of Maung Sin, 6th Witness of Prosecution (August 19, 1889).

    9. Testimony of Po Ye, 7th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1989.

    10. Testimony of Nga Tha Han, 8th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1889).

    11. Testimony of Malcolm Chisholm (August 19, 1889).

    12. Testimony of H. N. Hirjee, Voluntary Witness (August 20, 1889).

  7. Letter from H. T. White, Officiating Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma to the Inspector General of Police, Burma (October 4, 1889).

  8. Resolution from Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner in the Judicial Department, No. 743P (October 2, 1889).

Demi-Official letter from C. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner of Burma to Name Unknown, Inspector General of Police, Burma (May 31, 1889).

Demi-Official Letter from M. J. Chisholm, District Superintendent of Police, Myingyan to Inspector General of Police, Burma (June 23, 1889).

Demi-Official Letter from R. Martin Esq., District Superintendent of Police, Mandalay to Inspector General of Police, Burma (July 3, 1889).

Demi-Official Letter from Z. M. D'silva, Proprietor of Mandalay Herald Press to R. Temple, Cantonment Magistrate, Mandalay (July 7, 1889).

Brief by C. B. Cooke, Major, District Magistrate, Criminal Case Miscellaneous Case No. 49 (August 26, 1889).

Annexure No. 9: Proceedings in the Court of the District Magistrate, Mandalay for Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 49.

  1. Testimony of Ma Nge, 1st Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889, Trial Testimony: August 2, 1889).

  2. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889).

  3. Testimony of G. Swewan, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

  4. Testimony of Maung Ny Lun, 3rd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

  5. Testimony of Maung An Gyi, 3rd Witness of Defense (August 13, 1889).

  6. Testimony of Maung Nyo, 4th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

  7. Testimony of Maung San Po, 5th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

  8. Testimony of Maung Sin, 6th Witness of Prosecution (August 19, 1889).

  9. Testimony of Po Ye, 7th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1989.

  10. Testimony of Nga Tha Han, 8th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1889).

  11. Testimony of Malcolm Chisholm (August 19, 1889).

  12. Testimony of H. N. Hirjee, Voluntary Witness (August 20, 1889).

Testimony of Ma Nge, 1st Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889, Trial Testimony: August 2, 1889).

Testimony of Maung Nyo, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (Preliminary Deposition: July 8, 1889).

Testimony of G. Swewan, 2nd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

Testimony of Maung Ny Lun, 3rd Witness of Prosecution (August 2, 1889).

Testimony of Maung An Gyi, 3rd Witness of Defense (August 13, 1889).

Testimony of Maung Nyo, 4th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

Testimony of Maung San Po, 5th Witness of Prosecution (August 13, 1889).

Testimony of Maung Sin, 6th Witness of Prosecution (August 19, 1889).

Testimony of Po Ye, 7th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1989.

Testimony of Nga Tha Han, 8th Witness of Defense (August 19, 1889).

Testimony of Malcolm Chisholm (August 19, 1889).

Testimony of H. N. Hirjee, Voluntary Witness (August 20, 1889).

Letter from H. T. White, Officiating Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma to the Inspector General of Police, Burma (October 4, 1889).

Resolution from Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner in the Judicial Department, No. 743P (October 2, 1889).

L/P&J/6/216, File 2081: On the Burma Commission.

Proceedings and Consultations, 1702–1945 (P)

  1. P/2720 Government of India, Home Department: Upper Burma Proceedings, 1886.

P/2720 Government of India, Home Department: Upper Burma Proceedings, 1886.

Newspapers and Magazines

  1. The Times

  2. Mandalay Herald

  3. Rangoon Gazette

  4. Quarterly Civil List for Burma (1908–1930)

The Times

Mandalay Herald

Rangoon Gazette

Quarterly Civil List for Burma (1908–1930)

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