Roy Moxham: Tea Planter Who Wrote The Great Hedge of India 2026

Roy Moxham, the former tea plantation supervisor who became an acclaimed author on tea and Indian history, has died aged 86. His most famous work, The Great Hedge of India (2001), brought to light a forgotten 2,500-mile customs barrier that once stretched across British India.

Born in Evesham, Worcestershire, to Marie (known as Min, née Bland) and Wilson Moxham, Roy led a life that bridged the worlds of commerce and scholarship. His journey from the tea estates of India to the libraries of London is a remarkable story of curiosity and determination.

From Tea Plantation to Literary Pursuits

Roy's early career as a tea plantation supervisor gave him firsthand experience of the industry that would later become a major focus of his writing. He spent years in India, developing a deep connection with the country and its people.

After returning to Britain, Roy transitioned into writing, but his love for India never faded. He made numerous extended trips back, often searching for remnants of the past that had captured his imagination.

The Discovery of the Great Hedge

The Great Hedge of India was a four-metre-high, 2.5-metre-wide barrier of thorny shrubs that stretched 2,500 miles across British India. It was built as a customs line to enforce the salt tax and was guarded by 12,000 men on behalf of the East India Company.

Following independence in 1947, the hedge all but disappeared. Roy spent many visits searching for vestiges, eventually finding a small surviving section. He cut a branch from it, which is now kept safely in the study of his brother John (the author's father). Context on how this played out before sits in Roy Moxham: Tea Planter Who Wrote The Great Hedge of India.

Key Books and Literary Contributions

Roy authored several books that showcased his deep knowledge of tea and Indian history. His most successful, The Great Hedge of India, was published not just in English but in multiple Indian languages, cementing his reputation as a historian of the overlooked. The background to this story is set out in Business: latest articles. A related thread runs through MPs Urge Write-Off of British Council's £197m Debt.

• The Great Hedge of India (2001) – Uncovered the forgotten customs barrier of British India.
• A Brief History of Tea (2003) – An authoritative account of tea's political and horticultural history.
• Outlaw (2010) – A biography of Phoolan Devi, India's "bandit queen", drawing on Roy's friendship with her.
• The Theft of India (2015) – Documented European colonial rivalry and its impact on Indians.

Comparative Overview of Roy Moxham's Books

The Legacy of Roy Moxham

Roy's work has left an indelible mark on the understanding of colonial India and the tea industry. His ability to uncover forgotten histories and present them with clarity and passion has inspired both scholars and general readers. Earlier coverage in British Library Reading Rooms as Co-Working Spaces: What Is a National shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in UK Public Financial Institutions: Corrections and Clarifications.

His friendship with Phoolan Devi, which led to the book Outlaw, is a testament to his deep engagement with the people and stories of India. Roy's writing was not just about facts; it was about human connections and the complexities of history. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Bob Davenport: Folk Singer and British Folk Revival Icon Dies at 94. The same theme surfaces in Jane Brown Obituary: Garden Historian Who Redefined the Field, which takes a different angle.

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