LONDON: The view that the widespread use of some [headgear] in India and other parts in the East was merely another attempt to bolster the white man’s prestige is put forward by Mr. George Orwell, writes the “Hindu” correspondent from London. That the “topi” is needed to ward off the deadly tropical heat is just bunkum, says Mr. Orwell. In support of this contention he points out that European sailors work

on deck habitually bareheaded. Cases of sunstroke happened among Asiatics as well as Europeans.

Endless emphasis on the difference between the whites and the “natives” is necessary for imperialism, argues Mr. Orwell. “You can only rule over a subject race, especially when you are in a small minority, if you honestly believe yourself to be racially superior and it helps if you can believe the subject race to be biologically different. There are a number of ways wherein Europeans in India used to believe [the Indians were different]. But this nonsense about Europeans being subject to sunstroke and Orientals not being so, is the most cherished superstition of all. The thin skull was a mark of racial superiority and the “topi” was a sort of emblem of imperialism. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2014