INDIA COLONIAL AND NATIVE POLICY

Question 1

what was the 1910 draconian press act

Answer 1

• provided the british with the power to imprison and sentence to death anyone who wrote radical news, against the raj
• fined for rebellious publications
• aimed to create a state of conformity and unanimous opinion

Question 2

describe the MORLEY MINTO reforms of 1909 - ie give stats and what was the motivation behind these

Answer 2

• one indian was appointed to the executive council (sinha)
• imperial legislative councils were expanded from 25 to 60
• a separate electorate was made for muslims
• on legislative councils, only 25/68 members were elected, and 12/68 were from provincial councils
• 27 indians were added to the viceroy’s council
• on provincial councils - 26/53 were elected members, proportional to different bodies (muslims elected 4 members, the university of calcutta elected one etc)

*note, sinha was only appointed because of his western education (was actually not as progressive as they hoped)

motivation:
- increase political participation, interest and activity of indians in government
- appease nationalist sentiment within India by providing more political opportunities and access points into government, which would expand its representation and promote co-operation between the two bodies
- to accomodate the demands of the INC to promote a functional society and collaboration with a younger generation of indian nationalists
- to devolve power from westminster to local indian areas
- to expand political avenues for indians and reconcile the british relationship with indians
- hoped to prevent the collaboration between nationalist groups, and instead of the british with these groups
- idea that “nothing else will” save the raj

Question 3

list the colonial administrators / govenor generals of india from 1880-1914

Answer 3

• Ripon 1880-1884
• Landsdowne 1884-1888
• Dufferin 1888-1894
• Elgin 1884-1899
• Curzon 1899-1905
• Minto 1905-1910
• Hardinge 1910-1916

Question 4

limitations and criticism toward MM reforms - in what ways was this policy not helpful for the raj

Answer 4

• level of class bias by the British in electing members (ie Sinha) in the executive council
• power was still very much centralised with westminster
• limited representation and political voice - candidates to be representatives were from upper classes
• whilst indians were in these political bodies, their advice for legislation was sidelined

Question 5

examples of press acts under the British raj which limited free speech and imposed censorship

Answer 5

• suppression and stopping of the publishing of the Indian Sociologist newspaper in 1909 (it accused the British of being hypocritical, given that they encouraged freedom of speech and press, yet were encouraging dominant classes to suppress lower classes
• 1910 vernecular press act
• 1908 newspapers act
• 1904 Official Secrets Act - prevent leaks and disclosure of information

Question 6

give examples of the british liking gokhale

Answer 6

1. islington commission
2. asked to consult on the morley minto reforms
3. advocated for india supporting the british in WWI

Question 7

list the development schemes under the British in this time period

Answer 7

1. railway expansion
   1859 = 432 miles
   1896 = 5000 miles
   - in 1900, Curzon introduced measures to double the railway in length to 25,000 miles (5,000 miles in 5 years)
2. canal schemes
   1887 - establishment of the Chenab canal scheme, worth 3 million pounds
   - indian’s are forced to pay 10 rupees a month to compensate for this programme
   - british are reliant on indian funding

Question 8

british educational policies in the raj working and failing

Answer 8

working:
- indian universities act 1904 - increased British controls over private colleges and university bodies - idea of appealing to the middle classes
- 1882 = punjab university established
- 1882 = 209 schools in bengal, by 1900, calcutta uni was the largest
- Indian Universities Commission (Raleigh Commission) in 1902, for more investment in indian universities
- calcultta university = 526 graduates into public service

not working:
- the literacy rate only increased from 3% to 5% from 1872-1911 (displays the british did not put adequate emphasis on literacy policies)
- in 1912, there were only 270 doctors in the central india agency, out of 9.3 million

Question 9

what was the delhi durbar, and what significant occurance was declared

Answer 9

• 1911
• a celebration which marked king george taking the throne - aimed to promote continuity and induce enthusiasm in empire

king george declared the movement of the indian capital from calcutta to delhi - aimed to appease nationalists
- wanted britain to have a constant government presence and oversight
- move location of power to weaken nationalism

Question 10

describe Curzon’s creation of a West Frontier province

Answer 10

• gave local warlords and maharajas increasing powers in districts, and devolved power away from the central westminster body
• occured in 1901

Question 11

what were princely states in India, and by 1900, how common were they

Answer 11

• states which were not directly governed by the British, but by Indian maharajahs (who were aligned with the British crown)
• introduction of a more federalist structure

in 1900, they included over 72 million people

Question 12

examples of LIBERAL positions, concessions and policies taken by the british government from 1882-1914 in policy, and catagorise these in terms of:
- social
- political
- technology / architcture
- media
- healthcare

Answer 12

social:
1. open to supporting the Ibert Bill
2. reunification of Bengal in 1911 - under Hardinge (appease religious divides and nationalist sentiment)
3. 1904 Universities Act - improving the quality of education (from 1902 raleigh commission)

political:
1. morley minto reforms of 1909 - increased local representation and political affiliation
2. co-operation and supporting the formation of the INC in 1885
3. indian councils act 1892 - would allow for policy to be criticised
4. creation of a West Frontier province by Curzon in 1901
5. 1906 Simla Delegation = a campaign to Minto to promote further muslim representation – amplified through the morley minto reforms

tech:
- Indian archaeological society - promoted the restoration of the Taj Mahal in 1909

media:
- repeal of the vernecular press act in 1882 - expanded political expression

healthcare:
- bengal famine 1899 - relief works, lower tax and irrigation schemes to feed over 3.5 million people

Question 13

difference between colonial and native policy

Answer 13

native:
- the experiences of those being ruled and how they were treated

colonial:
- actual government policy implemented in parliament

Question 14

what was the 1906 Simla Delegation

Answer 14

• a delegation of muslims who campaigned to minto for greater political representation
• formed the all india muslim league

Question 15

describe the partition of bengal 1905 and its reunification (cause, event, consequence)

Answer 15

causes:
- unrest and increasing administrative difficulties for the British, weakening their grip over their key colony, because of increasing famines
- wanted to streamline bureaucracy
- fracture the overarching power of the INC and prevent a rebellion that the british cannot control - claimed that they would force the British to concede unnecessary things
- curzon thought this would be suitable to suppress the demands and outcry of various workers and nationalists
- wanted to prevent a unity of religion, with the common ground being the dislike of the British - this would amplify anti-imperial sentiments - weaken nationalism

(letter from Curzon to Brodrick in 1905)

event:
- curzon does not consult the bodies when partitioning
- east bengal = muslim majority of 6 million more muslims (12m v 18m)
- west bengal = hindu majority (42 million hindu vs 9 million muslim)
- physically split people based on religion and their affiliation

consequence:
- curzon loses all credibility, as he attempted to divide the nation and induce more violence
- only accelerated the bad reputation of Curzon
- accelerates the nationalist movement - swadhesi movement
- key example of different religions uniting against the Raj (eroding their overarching influence)
- Bengal is reunified in 1911 under Hardringe
- led to the White Mutiny of indigo workers
- triggered the work of gokhale and tilak

Question 16

agricultural research institute

Answer 16

• formed in 1905
• helped to improve indian agriculture to revitalise indigo plantations

Question 17

what does hardinge’s attempted assassination display about indian attitudes to empire

Answer 17

• hardinge reunified bengal in 1911
• this displays that no matter what concessive policies he takes, he cannot please nationalists
• displays insecurity of british rule
• indian people are more willing to take radical measures to impose authority

Question 18

what event occured in 1905 todo with tilak and gokhale and the unity of the INC

also, describe the ideological divisions between gokhale and tilak

Answer 18

• there was stark polarization between moderates and radicals
• in 1905, tilak and his supporters formed the extremist party

divisions and differences:
- gokhale promoted more constitutional methods, which operated around political procedure
- tilak wanted swaraj and immediate self rule and complete removal of british policies

Question 19

when was tilak deported

Answer 19

1908
- deported to burma

Question 20

what was the Indian archeological society / the restoration of the taj mahal

Answer 20

a society promoted by CURZON which aimed to rebuild archaelogical sites in india
- curzon invests 50,000 of his own money into this investment
- ie the Taj Mahal in 1909

*displays desires for building up personal reputation, civilising misssion, investing in culture

Question 21

describe the indian civil service under the raj

Answer 21

• became a prominent elitist institution, which was extremely selective and lacked inclusivity
• the number of indians in the indian civil service only just doubled from 30-60 between 1890-1914, despite much more representative legislation being passed in that time frame

Question 22

describe the 1892 Indian Councils Act

Answer 22

the british government allowed for local comment and criticism of legislation
- it allowed for 16 Indians to be added to the imperial legislative council

Question 23

actions of British in burma

Answer 23

• british make a military expedition into burma in 1882 to counter french influence in the region
• the british establish a border commission

Question 24

give examples of colonial policy in india purely promoting elitism

Answer 24

1. imperial cadet corps established in 1901
2. the indian civil service (and the divide and rule policy)
3. could be argued that the morley-minto reforms did (ie sinha in the executive council)

Question 25

examples of colonial policy which did BENEFIT people in India from 1857-1890

Answer 25

- introduction of the Ibert Bill in 1883 - would attempt to address critical imbalances of power by allowing Indians to try Europeans - 1858 Government of India Act which attempts to make a more transparent government and promotes religious laissez faire

Question 26

when does burma become a part of india

Answer 26

1886 - rangoon = capital

Question 27

describe the 'divide and rule' policy under curzon

Answer 27

- a policy practiced through the indian civil service which aimed to increase local divisions between indian people to prevent a swell of nationalist support and amplification of nationalist demands - it amplified the divisions based on race, class, education etc - the intention was to keep the indian population divided to maintain British imperial power and influence

Question 28

describe what Brodnick said in 1905

Answer 28

- it is a recognition that calcutta was a political hotspot and was good in amplifying nationalist sentiment - encourages curzon with his partition plans - this is said by the secretary of state, displaying how the british were finding it difficult to administer these areas - he was bitter at the disruptive nature of indian nationalism, and that something needed to be done to limit nationalism (ie partition of bengal 1905)

Question 29

seditious meetings act

Answer 29

1911 - passed by minto - consistent with press censorship (think of arthur fletcher and the indian sociologist)

Question 30

what were the brussels and berlin conferences

Answer 30

1876 + 1884/1885 - representatives from countries negotiated their claims to specific territories within Africa - established the 'scramble for africa' and created competition among european powers about their dominance over the african region - asserted the idea of 'effective occupation' - led to the signing of the General Act - countries must mark out their dominance and ruling of an area

Question 31

describe curzon's program to offset the bengal famine of 1899-1900 (3)

Answer 31

- introduction of famine relief works which fed over 3.5 million people - reduced taxes for local individuals - increased irrigation work spending so the water could infiltrate crops and allow for a better harvest

Question 32

compare the unity of nationalism in india in 1880s vs 1910

Answer 32

1880s: - united - common goal and optimistic 1910: - there are so many factions of indian nationalism - this includes gokhale vs tilak

Question 33

describe the 1901 imperial cadet corps

Answer 33

- established by curzon - hoped to give military training to elite and wealthy indians - the result, would be a disparity in skill and military ability, which would widen the class divide and generate loyalty for the British - was disbanded in 1915

Question 34

describe the reunification of bengal

Answer 34

- reunified in 1911 - the aim was that it would allow for a coalition and unity of religion again - pursued under Hardinge - more liberal stance and need to appease local Indians - Hardinge adds Gokhale into the ISLINGTON COMMISSION - it symbolised the British formally recognising indian nationalism and conceding their level of power

Question 35

who was allan hume

Answer 35

- one of the founding members of the INC in 1885 - claimed that the INC was to secure greater freedom and a more impartial administration

Question 36

how did India's population change from 1871-1901

Answer 36

1871 - 255 million people 1901 - 285 million people *stark increase

Question 37

what was the White Mutiny

Answer 37

a response to the Ibert Bill and its lack of enforcement, it was a rebellion by white colonial subjects against the raj and its policies - felt that indians should not have this much say in judicial policy

Question 38

examples of colonial subjects being treated badly under the british in india 1890-1914 - native policy

Answer 38

- there were monssons in India in 1895 + 1896 - over 53 million Indians starved and in April 1897, 33 million entered government labour camps - in 1907, unrest occurs in the Punjab due to attempted British corruption and low pay of staff

Question 39

britain's policies to india's defence in the 1880s

Answer 39

- created an army of 70,000 british and 125,000 native troops by the late 1880s - british adopted a policy of training native troops, but leaving them separated from one another (in terms of religion, caste etc) to prevent unity - to prevent rebellion, the number of british officers increased - indian soliders were denied officer ranking and high positions ie 1882 - indian soliders are shipped to egypt from portsmouth dock yard

Question 40

examples of colonial policy which BENEFITTED people in india 1890-1914

Answer 40

- 1909 (Government of India Act) morley minto reforms (increase representation of Indians in gov) - 1904 Universities Act which allowed for the rebuilding of gov structures including the Taj Mahal - 1900 - Calcutta University is established (largest university in the world) - 1892 Indian Councils Act (increase representation + comments)

Question 41

examples of colonial policy which did not benefit people in india 1890-1914 hint of dates: 1910, 1905

Answer 41

- 1910 draconian press act - 1905 attempted partition of bengal which separated the population based on religious alignment (hindu and muslim)

Question 42

examples of CONSERVATIVE and REPRESSIVE positions and policies taken by the british government from 1882-1914 in policy, , and catagorise these in terms of: - social - political - media - healthcare

Answer 42

social: 1. partition of bengal 1905 - attempt to divide india - lacked consultation with the indian people, example of forced separation to prevent unity and political activity political: 2. morley minto reforms 1909 - power is still massively centralised with the British - lacks inclusivity, doing it because they need to draconian media policies: 1. draconian press act 1892 2. indian sociologist was suppressed in 1909 -- lack of media freedom 3. vernecular press act 1910 - threatens freedom of speech and expression powers, increasing an insular state healthcare: - bombay plague and cholera epidemic of 1896 -- use violence to exert authority and create a climate of fear - bengal famine of 1899 - over 1 million people died

Question 43

examples of colonial subjects being treated well under the british in india 1890-1914 - native policy

Answer 43

- the british launch a 68 million pound relief program from the epidemics caused by monsoons in 1895/1896 - curzon introduces measures to offset the impact of the bengal famine from 1899-1900 (in a later flashcard)

Question 44

what was the Ibert Bill 1883

Answer 44

- a bill passed in 1883 which allowed indian judges to try europeans - attempt by the British to offset the power imbalance which had been generated by the Raj and remove racial biases in impacting the quality of a judicial trial - the result was that the european community was outraged, displaying the overarching influence of racial superiority at the time and distrust of colonial subjects in positions of power - resultantly, in any case which involved a member of the european community, the jury had to consist of over 50% of europeans - displays how ripon was more inclusive to indians

Question 45

describe the 2 key healthcare problems within India and how they were dealt with

Answer 45

1. Bengal Famine 1899-1900 - curzon - curzon introduced famine relief works, which irrigated land and fed over 3.5 million people, despite affecting over 59 million people and reducing taxation schemes - over 1 million people died 2. Bombay Plague epidemic

Question 46

curzon attitude to india

Answer 46

1. that british work is carved in granite 1904 - british principles were firmly entrenched in india - pride in civilising mission 2. dismissive of india and being culturally insensitive - this idea of a "bengali babu" is dismissive of indian culture - further engrains the need for civilising mission

Question 47

give some statistics about the swadesh movement / nationalist movement triggered after the attempted partition of bengal in 1905

Answer 47

- 150,000 pieces of Lancashire cotton are burnt - production of cotton declines by 40%, and cloth production declines by 25% - attempted assassinations 1909 and 1912 of curzon wylie and hardinge - minto is also assassinated in 1909 too - establishment of Shivaji festivals - various political leagues are established (ie All India Muslim League in 1906, Indian Home Rule Society 1905 etc) swadeshi = boycotts / nonviolence swarajya = home rule

Question 48

describe the railway and irrigation projects continued under Curzon

Answer 48

- in 1881, there were 9800 miles of railway, by 1900 there were 24,000 miles - 30 million acres of land had been irrigated, out of 197 million acores - 37,000 miles of metalled roads - hardinge railway bridge is formed in 1910