Imperial and Colonial Policy -India Flashcards
what was British rule in India in the 1890’s?
Concept of “Governance by Prestige”
=reliant on British reputation, presenting image of moral authority and “superior values” with underlying threat of force “steel fist in a silk glove” etc
=Divide and rule strategy through exploiting differences of race, language and religion, occupation and caste
gradual reform= some Indian involvement
However Baring symbolising British attitude “We shall not subvert the British Empire by allowing the Bengali Babu to discuss his own schools and drains”
What challenges were there to British rule?
Early origins if organised Nationalist movements in late 1800s
e.g Indian National Congress founded 1885
concerned with trade, taxation and restriction on Indian industry
campaigned for greater Indian participation in Government
Members drawn from the Indian elites
Loyal to the Crown
e.g “Servants of India Society”
sought reform of old laws and practises and campaigned against “Untouchability”
When was Lord Curzon viceroy of India?
1899-1905
How successful was challenges to British Rule?
No popular mass movement =British still in full control
What was Curzon’s reforms?
formed the imperial cadet corp in 1901
lowered taxes
stabilised the currency
-preservation of the taj Mahal
How did Curzon change India’s defences?
British gov increasingly concerned about Russian expansionism
=1901 Curzon merges provinces to form North West Frontier Province
=1903-1934 Curzon orders temp military occupation of Tibet
=Active defence Policy by Curzon is successful in restricting Russian opportunities and contributed to diplomatic agreement in 1907 - Triple Entente (GB, Russia and France) which increased British spere of influence
When was the partition of Bengal?
July 1905
Divided into two
Province of Eastern Bengal and Assam (with a muslim majority)
Province of West Bengal and Bihar and Orissa (with Hindu majority)
What was the reaction to the partition of Bengal?
Elites believed it was punishment for their increased political assertiveness and threatened their ownership of land in Eastern Bengal
-Made remaining Hindus in East Bengal a minority and weakened the power of the influential Bengali speaking community in the Western province
However, Muslim community very pleased
What was the result of the partition of Bengal?
=Increased politicisation of India challenging British rule
Growth in internal Indian divisions =
INC split between moderate and extreme
Moderates led by Banerjee who organised public protests and strikes and a boycott of British goods= cut British textile imports by 25%
Extremists led by Bal Tilak who used robbery to fund terrorist activities such as bombings and political assassinations
-Muslim support for partition sparked foundation of All India Muslim League in 1906 aimed at protecting Muslim rights and generally supportive of British rule until 1911
When was the All Muslim League founded?
1906
When the INC split in response to the partition of Bengal who were the leaders?
Moderate- Banerjee
Extremist- Bal Tilak
When did Curzon resign as viceroy?
1905
replaced by Earl of Minto
Who won the 1906 General election?
Liberals
Who was the new secretary of state for India after 1906 Liberal win?
John Morley
When were the Morley-Minto reforms?
1909
What did the Indian Council Act 1909 do?
27 Indians elected to Viceroy’s Executive council from the Provinces
Provincial councils also enlarged to allow for 135 seats for Indians
separate electorates for Muslims and Hindus
Two Indians join council of advisors for secretary of state in London
In 1910 who becomes the new viceroy?
Baron hardinge
(determined to enact reforms accompanied by projection of Power)
-1911 reunited Bengal during visit of King George V
-Held a grand Durbar to crown George as Emperor
-Moved capital from Calcutta to Delhi with new gov buildings to symbolise power of Raj
When was Bengal reunited?
1911
What was the administration of India by 1914?
British policy governing India so some change 1890-1914 with both administrators on the ground and in London adapting their approach
-Appearance of more concerns for views/ experiences of indigenous people
BUT Britain still in fundamental control
e.g August 1914 Viceroy Hardinge declares war on India’s behalf with no consultation of the Indian people
-in fact Indians overwhelmingly responded supportively of the war effort anyway however the level of their support and sacrifice increased expectations that more reforms would be made towards home rule after the war
