Welsh missionaries and British imperialism

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the life and work of Thomas Jones, the first Welsh missionary sent to evangelize the Khasi Hills of northeast India in 1841. It meticulously traces Jones's journey from the serene rural landscapes of Wales to Cherrapunji, the wettest place on earth, which has since become one of the most Christianized regions of India. The narrative delves into the complex role played by the Welsh missionaries, who, as a colonized people themselves, acted both as evangelizers and as agents of colonial influence. Their arrival in the Khasi Hills brought profound changes to the culture, beliefs, and social structures of the Khasi people.

Beyond the personal story of Thomas Jones, the book examines the broader context of British imperialism, exploring how political, scientific, racial, and military ideologies were deployed to integrate the Khasi Hills into the British Empire's vast network of control. The work addresses universal themes such as crises of authority, the profound isolation experienced in distant lands, and the moral dilemmas involving sexual scandal, greed, and exploitation. These issues are framed within the broader tension between personal beliefs and institutional dogma, highlighting the complexities of individual and collective morality in the colonial context.

Written by a direct descendant of Thomas Jones, this book offers a unique and personal perspective on the legacy of British imperialism in this often-overlooked region of India. It makes a significant contribution to the scholarship on British colonial history, missionary work, and the cultural transformations wrought by imperial encounters. This book will be invaluable to students, scholars, and anyone interested in the history of British imperialism, the spread of Christianity in India, and the nuanced interactions between colonizers and the colonized.