The Missionary and the Maharajas: Cecil Tyndale-Biscoe and the Making of Modern Kashmir

Cecil Tyndale-Biscoe polarised opinion in early 20th century India through his unconventional methods of “educating” Kashmiris and, through them, changing the social order of a society steeped in what he saw as old superstitions. He was a man of contradictions: an ordained Priest and a violent boxer; a supposed educator who supported imperialism; a missionary who made very few converts and a friend of Kashmir's political reformers. He made enemies of the Hindu Establishment, who described him as an 'exceedingly a bad man' but earned the respect of two successive Hindu Maharajas, as well as the Muslim leader who succeeded them.

Written by Hugh Tyndale-Biscoe, grandson of Cecil Tindale-Biscoe, The Missionary and the Maharajas explores Cecil Tindale-Biscoe's trip to India and attempts to convert Hindu and Muslims to Christianity, as well as his medical missions, which his grandson finds had little success. The result is an insight into British imperialism from the perspective of someone who benefitted from it.