CONTENTS: List of Abbreviations, List of Illustrations, Acknowledgements, Introduction, 1. Tracing Identities: Subarnabaniks in Myths, Urban Legends and History, 2. From Banians to Bonedis: Locating the Seals and the Laws in the Mercantile and Social Map of Colonial Calcutta, 3. Deciphering the Deafening Silence: Women in the Seal and Law Families, Conclusion, Plates, Appendix I: Assam Tea Company Shareholders, Appendix II: Recipients of the Certificate of Honour (Calcutta and 24-Parganas), Appendix III: Family Deities of Mutty Lall Seal and Prawn Kissen Law, Glossary, Bibliography, Index.