“The letters and orders that confidently confirm Mr. Mishra’s relief from his existing position are typewritten. In contrast to this, the letters that are possibly hinting at his resistance to join, or when asking for an experienced Senior Accounts Clerk are handwritten by various people, often struck through for using different terminologies, showing the number of people involved in an administrative procedure. These letters, written by officials from different divisions and subdivisions showcase the hierarchies which are present.”

This research explores how the clerks, who tend to be associated with the lower strata of the PWD establishment exercise their voices and concerns within the administrative hierarchy during 20th Century India. It explores the position of PWD clerks and employees from the lower ranks in the post-
independence era.  After the shift from British to Indian power, were they and their paperwork still considered essential in the bureaucracy? The project looks at the fact that provided they followed the correct procedures and scribal practices, they had the possibility of asking for more requests and
demands.




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