India 1890-1914 Flashcards
How was india governed 1890-1914? : Head of govt?
Head of government was Viceroy backed by Indian Civil Service, which was almost entirely white British and recruited from Oxford and Cambridge. Ensured regime was secure, profitable and content for natives. Strict restrictions on size of service because pay and pensions were costly → no more than 3-4 per district.
How was India governed 1890-1914? : collaboration British/Indian?
Rule required collaboration with natives and rulers. Education and expansion of railways enabled Indians to learn English and modernisation. Economic and social development meant Britain had to interfere economically and physically → tax collection and city/urban growth.
How was India governed 1890-1914?: Indian Civil Service
Indian Civil Service often relied on ‘divide and rule’ to hold British rule in India, emphasising divisions between race, language, religion, caste, occupation and region.
How was India governed?: Indian representation/ “Anglo-Indian” administratives?
Some degree of Indian representation in provincial councils in reforms of 1892 and 1909 acknowledged but British executive influence prevailed and exploited division between educated Indians and illiterate rural masses to create ‘Anglo-Indian’ administrative elite. Many Indian elite accepted British rule as route for future and accepted British values.
Who was lord Curzon?
Viceroy from 1899-1905. Very responsive towards Indian demands.
what were Lord Curzon reasons for being weary of criticisms?
he was mindful of growing criticisms which emanated from professional ‘middle class’ Indians and their representative body, the Indian National Congress, which was established in 1885 to campaign for home rule.
where did this criticism to British rule come from?
Members of Congress were often cautious (they sung British national anthem in proceedings), they criticised British trading arrangements, restraints on industry and heavy taxation to Indians to pay for high-earning British civil servants.
Other groups came from social and humanitarian groups such as ‘The Servants of India Society’ which was active among ‘Untouchable’ community at bottom of caste system and wanted reforms for old restrictive laws and practices.
What changes did Curzon make in the Civil Service?
Curzon made changes in civil service to improve efficiency and founded Imperial Cadet Corps in 1901, giving native princes and elite figures military training and ‘special’ officer commissions. Reformed universities and police, lowered taxes and adopted gold standard to ensure stable currency.
What was the Commerce and Industry Department?
Set up by Curzon, promoted industry and an Agricultural Department, sponsoring research and overseeing establishment of agricultural banks. Projects ranged from preservation of ancient monuments to railway expansion and irrigation.
Example of Curzons focus on defence against Russia?
In 1901, the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) was created to protect border from Russia fears. Merged with north-western areas of Pashtun of Afghans with Punjab with Chief Commissioner put in place. Mounted temporary invasion of Tibet in 1903-4 to counter Russia’s perceived ambitions in area and two counties also clashed over influence in Persia.
What was Curzon’s decision about the partition of Bengal?
Curzon decided Bengal should be divided into 2 separate provinces: Muslim-majority province of East Bengal and Assam and Hindu-majority province of West Bengal.
What was the reaction of the Hindu elite to the Partition of Bengal?
Uproar occurred amongst Hindu elite of West Bengal, many of whom owned land in East Bengal that they leased to Muslim peasants. Hindus saw partition as payback for criticisms of British rule and there were strikes, protests and boycotts of British-made goods. Surendranath Banerjee, who had twice been president of the INC, led campaigns and nationalism began to develop further. Curzon resigned as a result in July 1905.
What was the reaction of the Hindu elite to the Partition of Bengal?
Consequently, the Muslim elite, which supported partition, formed the All India Muslim League in 1906 to safeguard rights of Indian Muslims & self-rule. Generally favourable to British rule however Hindu/Muslim division used to justify British control as only means of avoiding serious religious conflict. Bengal was ultimately reunited in 1911.
What were the Morley-Minto reforms?
Viceroy Minto (1905-11) left to deal with fall-out of Curzon’s plans. Encouragement of Liberal government from 1906 and John Morley, Secretary of State of India, he introduced limited programme of reforms in 1909 in attempt to appease Bengalis.
What democratic reforms came from the morley-minto reforms?
- Indian Councils Act of 1909 enabled 27 Indians to be elected from provincial constituencies to Viceroy’s council, which advised Viceroy and assisted in making of laws. Though elections were held on a narrow franchise and, in some cases, representatives were chosen by the British, reform provided for greater Indian participation in government.
- Further democratic reform in 1910 meant elections in enlarged provincial councils 135 Indians were able to secure seats across the subcontinent and play a greater part in government at a provincial level.
