A century ago, Bombay was a tinderbox, abuzz with all kinds of anti-colonial agitators. They all sought ways to end the British rule in India. The British establishment was pushed into a state of high vigil by numerous threats on different fronts from Nationalists, Bolsheviks, Khilafatists and other agitators of different ideologies. In our online talk #SpiesAndStrikes, Gautam Pemmaraju looks at a few intriguing stories of espionage, surveillance, and civil unrest that played out in Bombay in the 1920, that deeply troubled the British establishment. While Indian nationalists were out on the streets following Gandhi's call for satyagraha, there were others who were following a different, secret path.

About the speaker

Gautam Pemmaraju is a Mumbai-based writer and filmmaker focusing on history, literature, sound aesthetics and production, and art. He has a special interest in early 20th century anti-colonial figures and the cultural history of Hyderabad and the Deccan.