The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History

@jich.bsky.social

A peer-reviewed Taylor & Francis academic journal exploring the British Empire, the Commonwealth, and wider colonialism. EIC @andrekosvarnava.bsky.social AE @yiannicart.bsky.social BRE @evansmithhist.bsky.social CDE @jonasgjerso.bsky.social

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The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press! Read 'Practically White: Syrian/Lebanese and Australia's Immigration Restriction Act' by Anne Monsour: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgPractically White: Syrian/Lebanese and Australia's Immigration Restriction ActAlthough little attention is paid to Syrian/Lebanese in studies of the Immigration Restriction Act, its passing in 1901 was a seminal moment in the history of their migration to Australia. The most...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

New article! Check out 'Beyond Indirect Rule: Punitive Pacification and the Administrative Reconstitution of Benin, 1897–1935' by John Agbonifo: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgBeyond Indirect Rule: Punitive Pacification and the Administrative Reconstitution of Benin, 1897–1935This article re-examines British rule in Benin between 1897 and 1935. It argues that cannot adequately understand the colonial administration through the familiar distinction between direct and ind...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

New article! Read 'Visiting Chiefs of Empire: Aristocratic Personage and Colonial Indignities in Britain' by Oluwatoyin Oduntan: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgVisiting Chiefs of Empire: Aristocratic Personage and Colonial Indignities in BritainAfrican paramount chiefs visiting Britain provide a context to colonial itineraries that is markedly different from imperial travels to colonies. Far from being pawns and exhibits of empire who are...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Check out the recent article 'Muddied Waters: Crofter Colonisation and the Contingency of ‘British’ and ‘Scottish’ Whiteness in 1880s New Zealand' by Timothy S. Forest: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgMuddied Waters: Crofter Colonisation and the Contingency of ‘British’ and ‘Scottish’ Whiteness in 1880s New ZealandThe British and the Aotearoa New Zealand governments in the mid-1880s proposed a trial colonisation of Scottish Hebridean crofter fishing families in the southernmost Otago province. These settlers...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

Olivia Mitchell
@livsmitch.bsky.social

Very happy to say that my new article is now published in the Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History @jich.bsky.social This has a been a long time coming based on one of my favourite sections of my PhD thesis. Please give it a read! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

tandfonline.com‘The Smallest Monarch in the World’: Othering, Indirect Rule and Depictions of the Heights of the Begums of Bhopal in the Imperial Press, 1872–1914This article examines how the imperial press promoted othering in its documentation of the Nawab Begums of Bhopal. While stereotyping was largely based on the racial and gendered categorisation of ...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Read the latest article 'Preserving the Empire: Arthur Berriedale Keith and the Indian Constitutional Crisis, 1919–1939' by Alok Oak: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgPreserving the Empire: Arthur Berriedale Keith and the Indian Constitutional Crisis, 1919–1939Responding to a shift in global narrative favouring nation’s right to self-determination, Britain became overly protective of its empire during the interwar years (1919–1939). Consequently, in Brit...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press! Check out 'Between Bandung, Suez, and Nehru's Feet: Singapore and Global South Solidarities in the Commonwealth' by Muhammad Suhail Mohamed Yazid: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgBetween Bandung, Suez, and Nehru's Feet: Singapore and Global South Solidarities in the CommonwealthAs part of his voyage to London in December 1955, David Marshall, chief minister of the British colony of Singapore, toured the newly independent Commonwealth countries of Ceylon, India, and Pakist...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

Jonas Fossli Gjersø
@jonasgjerso.bsky.social

In our latest Current Debates discussion piece in @jich.bsky.social entitled "Migration, Integration and Riot in Britain: An Historical Perspective" Panikos Panayi reflects upon the history of British anti-migrant discourse. #OpenAccess doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgMigration, Integration and Riot in Britain: An Historical PerspectiveMigrants have created Britain despite the current hostility which has surfaced and manifested itself most disturbingly in rioting against a variety of groups, including those seeking refugee status...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor John MacKenzie, a giant in the field of imperialism studies. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him. manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/09...

manchesteruniversitypress.co.ukCelebrating the life and contribution of John M MacKenzie - Manchester University PressManchester University Press remembers Professor John M. MacKenzie, founding editor of Studies in Imperialism, with tributes from colleagues reflecting on his scholarship, generosity and lasting legacy...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

Jay Roszman
@jayroszman.bsky.social

Wow, this is an absolutely fascinating article and does what all good history should do - complicated simplistic narratives to reveal a more holistic understanding of the past. Kudos @brian-hanley.bsky.social!

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History@jich.bsky.social

Check out the latest debate essay '‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical Context' by Brian Hanley: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.org‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical ContextThe belief in a ‘natural’ Irish sympathy with the Palestinian people, based on a shared history of colonisation, is a very widespread one. Indeed, many suggest that the legacy of resistance to Brit...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

Jonas Fossli Gjersø
@jonasgjerso.bsky.social

In our latest Current Debates essay entitled "The Marine Origins of Contemporary Warfare", Rahul Govind discusses how imperial practices couched in international law and Western notions of the 'right of conquest' derives from prize law. doi.org/10.1080/0308... @jich.bsky.social

doi.orgThe Marine Origins of Contemporary WarfareI would like to draw a genealogy of Donald Trump's rhetoric and military action in Venezuela and Iran, in particular, of how the acquisition of the resources of another country through a military o...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor John MacKenzie, a giant in the field of imperialism studies. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him. manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/09...

manchesteruniversitypress.co.ukCelebrating the life and contribution of John M MacKenzie - Manchester University PressManchester University Press remembers Professor John M. MacKenzie, founding editor of Studies in Imperialism, with tributes from colleagues reflecting on his scholarship, generosity and lasting legacy...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press! Read 'Living Archives of Colonial Resistance: Martyrdom, Memory, and Muslim Hagiographies in South India' by Muhammed Niyas Ashraf: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgLiving Archives of Colonial Resistance: Martyrdom, Memory, and Muslim Hagiographies in South IndiaThis article reframes the Arabic-Malayalam martyrdom hagiographies (Kissappāṭṭ) of the Mappila Muslims as a crucial site of intellectual and historiographical resistance within British Malabar. It ...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Just released and #OpenAccess, read 'A ‘Boy’s Own’ Adventure: Australian War Writings from the Boxer Rebellion, 1900–1901' by Simon Antony Merry: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgA ‘Boy’s Own’ Adventure: Australian War Writings from the Boxer Rebellion, 1900–1901This article examines the experiences of Australian sailors and marines who travelled to China to fight in the Boxer Rebellion between 1900 and 1901. It analyses their diaries and correspondence to...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Check out the latest debate essay '‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical Context' by Brian Hanley: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.org‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical ContextThe belief in a ‘natural’ Irish sympathy with the Palestinian people, based on a shared history of colonisation, is a very widespread one. Indeed, many suggest that the legacy of resistance to Brit...

The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History reposted

Jonas Fossli Gjersø
@jonasgjerso.bsky.social

Our latest Current Debates essay in @jich.bsky.social is now out! In his piece entitled "‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical Context" @brian-hanley.bsky.social explores the evolution of Zionist sympathies in Ireland. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

tandfonline.com‘Muscle Memory’? Irish Republican Attitudes to Zionism and Palestine in Historical ContextThe belief in a ‘natural’ Irish sympathy with the Palestinian people, based on a shared history of colonisation, is a very widespread one. Indeed, many suggest that the legacy of resistance to Brit...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press & #OpenAccess, check out the latest article 'Bank Nationalisation in India and Its Effect on British Interests, 1969–1970' by Rakesh Ankit: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgBank Nationalisation in India and Its Effect on British Interests, 1969–1970During the 1960s, a tidal wave of nationalisation washed over newly independent Afro-Asian countries as these postcolonial states sought to mobilise their resources for development. The Indira Gand...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Read the latest article 'An Uneasy Microcosm: Incendiarism and Colonialism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, 1865–1986' by Catherine L. Evans: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgAn Uneasy Microcosm: Incendiarism and Colonialism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, 1865–1986This article explores challenges of scale for British imperial governance and criminal investigation through the lens of incendiary fires on the island of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press and #OpenAccess, check out '‘God-fearing citizens and Empire builders’: The Emigration of Belfast’s Workhouse Boys to Canada 1903–1917' by Olwen Purdue: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.org‘God-fearing citizens and Empire builders’: The Emigration of Belfast’s Workhouse Boys to Canada 1903–1917This article examines the emigration of children from Belfast workhouse in the opening years of the twentieth century. Belfast, a thriving industrial city at the heart of empire and itself a produc...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Fresh and #OpenAccess, have a read of '‘Atom-Minded Australia’: Britain’s Atomic Empire and the Postwar Geopolitics of Australian Uranium, 1944–1954' by Jessica Urwin: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.org‘Atom-Minded Australia’: Britain’s Atomic Empire and the Postwar Geopolitics of Australian Uranium, 1944–1954This article considers how seemingly peripheral actors’ policies, actions and imperial ambitions shaped global uranium supply in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. It does so with a p...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Just published and #OpenAccess, check out: '‘The Paths of Glory Lead but to the Grave’: Imperial Self-Sacrifice and the Commemoration of James Wolfe, 1900–1940' by Alfie Banks: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.org‘The Paths of Glory Lead but to the Grave’: Imperial Self-Sacrifice and the Commemoration of James Wolfe, 1900–1940This article explores the remarkable transformation of Major-General James Wolfe’s posthumous reputation during the early twentieth century. Drawing on a wide range of British and Canadian sources,...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

Hot off the press and #OpenAccess, read 'Collective Punishment in Mandatory Palestine: Custom, Law and the Practice of British Imperial Rule' by Havatzelet Yahel: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgCollective Punishment in Mandatory Palestine: Custom, Law and the Practice of British Imperial RuleCollective punishment policy in Mandatory Palestine evolved through two distinct phases, shaped by the social and political environments in which it was applied. Drawing on archival correspondence,...
The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
@jich.bsky.social

New article out - read 'Gulf Pragmatism at a Crossroads: Al-Sabah Political Conduct and Kuwait Town's Foreign Policy toward Four Powers during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries' by Mohammed Rashed Kharshan: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

doi.orgGulf Pragmatism at a Crossroads: Al-Sabah Political Conduct and Kuwait Town's Foreign Policy toward Four Powers during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth CenturiesThis manuscript investigates pragmatism as an analytical lens for understanding the foreign policy of Kuwait Town during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with particular attention to the po...