Description
The story of Bidrohi Captain Pouch [Rebel Captain Pouch] is based on academic sources and research which were discussed with the artists before they began composing the narrative poem and pattern for the scroll. The conversations about the famine took place over several days at Naya and Jadavpur University.
Creator
Chitrakar, Dukhushyam
Chitrakar, Rahim
Source
“The Diggers of Warwickshire to all other Diggers” (1607), British Library, MS. Harley 787: f9v.
James I. A Proclamation for suppressing of persons riotously assembled for the laying open of enclosures. (Westminster, 30 May 1607).
James I. A Proclamation signifying his Majesty's pleasure as well for suppressing of riotous Assemblies about enclosures, as for reformation of Depopulations. (Greenwich, 28 June 1607).
James I. A Proclamation signifying his Majesty's gracious pardon for the Offenders about enclosures. (Windsor Castle, 24 July 1607).
Wilkinson, Robert. A sermon preached at North-Hampton the 21. of Iune last past, before the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and the rest of the commissioners there assembled vpon occasion of the late rebellion and riots in those parts committed (1607).
Bacon, Francis. “Of Seditions and Troubles” in Essays (1625).
Shakespeare, William. Coriolanus (1605-8).
Publisher
University of Exeter
Date
2020-01
Contributor
Dutta, Shrutakirti
Halder, Bhagirath
Holding, Richard
Long, Lily
Mondal, Sujit
Mukherjee, Ayesha
Spence, Connor
Rights
CC BY-NC
Language
Bengali
Coverage
Midlands and London, 1605-8
Interviewer
Mondal, Sujit
Mukherjee, Ayesha
Interviewee
Chitrakar, Dukhushyam
Chitrakar, Rahim
Summary
In this discussion, Dukhushyam Chitrakar was taken through the historical context behind the Midlands Rising of 1607, including the reign of James I and the growing burdens of poverty, relaxation of laws protecting common land, depopulation, and loss of livelihoods for the poor in England. He was told about the “tumultuous rabble” of “diggers” (or “levellers,” as they called themselves) who were digging in enclosures at Newton in Northamptonshire, destroying hedges and fences built by local landlords, to convert these from enclosed pasture to common arable land. He was told about the provenance of the name "Captain Pouch" which was given to rebel leader John Reynolds, for carrying an enigmatic “pouch” or leather bag which, Reynolds insisted, contained “sufficient matter to defend them [the levellers] against all”; except that when he was captured, it was found to contain nothing more than a mouldy piece of cheese. Dukhushyam was shown illustrations depicting the scene of the revolt, woodcuts of an early modern scaffold and maps, and told about Shakespeare's Coriolanus which engages with questions of fair administration.
Location
Naya, West Bengal, India
Original Format
Photograph
Video