Invisible Hands

Stanley discusses that the ayah is a familiar figure of the Raj. While new research shows they were much less common than once thought, it has also shed fresh light on their lives and experiences. Caroline Pereira was a frequent business traveler. For a woman and a low-status native this was unusual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:History today 2022-01, Vol.72 (1), p.19
Main Author: Stanley, Jo
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Children
Families & family life
Female employees
Native peoples
Womens history
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Stanley discusses that the ayah is a familiar figure of the Raj. While new research shows they were much less common than once thought, it has also shed fresh light on their lives and experiences. Caroline Pereira was a frequent business traveler. For a woman and a low-status native this was unusual. Pereira was an ayah. As a nanny and maid for British families coming 'home' on furlough or for good, she had unusual access to travel. Ayahs took charge of every aspect of raising white children. They were 'indispensable' to memsahibs, upper-class women unused to hands-on mothering: from dawn to dusk ayahs nurtured, protected and entertained.
ISSN:0018-2753