The Great Hedge of India [Hardcover]

The Great Hedge of India is a book about an obsession. Roy Moxham, ex-tea planter, ex-gallery owner turned book conservator, was searching among the volumes in a second-hand bookshop on the corner of London's Charing Cross Road when he came across Rambles and Reflections of an Indian Official by Major-General Sir W.H. Sleeman KCB, first published in 1893. Twenty-five pounds secured the item and away he took it, little thinking it would be the beginning of an ongoing fascination with an object few people initially believed existed. Moxham was beguiled by a footnote in the Major-General's book which quoted Lytton Strachey's father, Sir John Strachey. The note said, "To secure the levy of a duty on salt ... there grew up gradually a monstrous system ... A Customs line was established which stretched across the whole of India, which in 1869 extended ... a distance of 2, 300 miles ... It consisted principally of an immense impenetrable hedge".

Moxham was incredulous: could there really have been a hedge that stretched half the length of one of the world's largest countries? None of the standard histories he had read had mentioned a customs hedge and surely someone would have noted something quite so bizarre? On searching out the source of the quote he found that Strachey had not been misquoted but other references to the customs line were few and far between. His search was on. The book explains Moxham's fascinating and ultimately successful search for (over three years, with three separate trips to India), and fascination with, the hedge. Every other chapter outlines, with an enviable clarity and an always easy, conversational style, the historical context in which the hedge arose. The Great Hedge of India is a gem: a joy to read, entertaining, informative and occasionally angry--Moxham's research led him to discover the reason behind the hedge, a salt tax, was punitive in the extreme. "I was deeply shocked by what I discovered about salt. When I first had the idea of finding the remnants of the Customs Hedge I had imagined the barrier as a piece of British whimsy ... It was a terrible discovery to find that it had been constructed ... so as to totally cut off an affordable supply of an absolute necessity of life". An excellent little book. --Mark Thwaite

"- 'The improbable story, despite its prickly appeal to nationalist historians, was practically unknown until Roy Moxham began his quest. It makes for a compelling read, simply told, and simply wonderful' - John Keay - 'It tells the story of one of the least-known wonders of Queen Victoria's India - a customs barrier 2,300 miles long....manned by 12,000 men and would have stretched from London to Constantinople, yet few historians mention it and most of us have never heard of it. Could anything be more astonishing? - Jan Morris --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

This is the story of the author's "ridiculous" quest for a legendary hedge planted across the Indian sub-continent and manned and cared for by 12,000 men. The hedge stood for over 50 years and at its greatest extent, formed part of a barrier 2500 miles long. Although it is one of the largest man-made constructions in human-history, the hedge appears in no history books and remains forgotten in both Britain and India. This inspired Roy Moxham to travel to India and investigate whether it had existed, what its purpose had been and whether any part of it had remained. After several years of travel and research, the author finally unravelled the story behind the hedge, its place within commercial enterprise on the part of the Raj and, after much searching, the remnants of this folie de grandeur of imperial Britain. This book provides a view into the motivations and administrations of British Imperial India and in part tells the story of one man's obsession.

Press reviews of The Great Hedge of India
'At first I thought this remarkable book must be a hoax, but it isn't . It tells the story of of one of the least- known wonders of Queen Victoria's India - a customs barrier 2,300 miles long, most of it made by hedge. It was manned by 12,000 men and would have stretched from London to Constantinople, yet few historians mention it and most have never heard of it. Could anything be more astonishing?' Jan Morris

'Little could Roy Moxham have imagined what was in store for him when he set off from the map room of the RGS in search of probably the longest hedge in the whole world, the very existence of which had been completely forgotten with the passing of the years. The result is a book about India, which is both scholarly and funny- a rare combination. It surprized me and I hugely enjoyed it.' Eric Newby

'Moxham has pulled out a jewel' The Times

Roy Moxham is the author of Tea - Addiction Exploitation and Empire (2003), The Great Hedge of India (2001) and The Freelander (1990). Born and brought up in Evesham, Worcestershire, he went out to Africa in 1961 as a tea planter in Nyasaland, later Malawi. He spent 13 years in Eastern Africa before returning to London to set up a gallery of African art. Subsequently, Roy Moxham qualified as a book and paper conservator. After working at Canterbury Cathedral Archives he became Senior Conservator of the University of London Library. Following retirement in 2005 he devotes his energies to writing and giving talks. He spends half his time in London and the other half travelling, principally in India. Reviews: The Great Hedge of India 'Both scholarly and funny - a rare combination. It surprised me and I hugely enjoyed it.' Eric Newby 'Moxham has written a parable at once light-handed and melancholy about the cruelty and folly of Empire.' Sunil Khilnani, Financial Times Tea - Addiction, Exploitation and Empire 'A very well-written book and enlightening on all aspects of the desirable shrub.' Financial Times 'A masterful historical study.' Good Book Guide --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.