India - Theme 1 Flashcards
What was the Indian National Congress initially like?
Did not want dominion status or independence
Co-existed alongside the Raj
Mainly compromised of higher caste Hindus/lawers/rich muslims
Rich debating club that frowned upon the methodology of Bal Tilak as borderline terrorism
When was the INC created?
1885
What was the Partition of Bengal?
Partition based on religion - undone due to conflict and resistance from Indians based on divide and conquer
Trialled and failed partition
What is the Indian Councils Act? (Morley-Minto)
1909
First transfer of power to India
Put 60 Indians in council
Seperate electorates for hindus and muslims - direct favouritism to muslims (divide and conquer - alliance)
Why did Britain assert India was not ready for DS or self-rule?
Highly volatile religious environment = British divide and conquer
How do Britain maintain power?
Illusion of power
Viceroy’s castle
Sepoys
India does not have a government or mass politicisation - kingdoms - politically inexperienced
How did the Princely states co-exist with the Raj?
Pay Britain to remain independent - loyal during the FWW by paying for Mortars
Why is it contextually a big question to ask India to contribute to the FWW?
Muslims were and enemy before due to war with the Ottoman empire - stayed loyal regardless
How many soldiers did India contribute to the FWW?
1.2 million
1/3 Sikh
Contributions alongside volunteers - more Indian volunteers than Scotland, Wales and Northern Island combined
How did India contribute to the FWW?
Major taxation and factory work in the country - whole nation contribution
170,000 animals
3.7 million tonnes of supper
Loan equivelent to £2 billion today
Princely states paid for Britain’s tanks and weapons
What is the Defence of Realm Act?
August 1914 - DORA
Entire empire
Propaganda
Imprisonment of any anti-war sentiment to stifle the growth of nationalism
Land and resources taken for the war effort
Biggest contribution from any colony - firm support - more Indian volunteers than Scotland, Wales and Northern Island combined
When did the first Indian troops arrive?
October 1914 at Ypres
Integral to holding Ypres
What was the Defence of India Act?
March 1915 DOIA
Caused widespread aggravation
Nationalist efforts would be imprisoned with no trial and for an indefinite amount of time to quell nationalist uprisings while the war was very rough
Insulting to the ML and INC considering India’s loyalty to the war effort
Caused Home Rule Leagues
When are the Home Rule Leagues created and by whom?
April 1916
Established by Annie Besant and Bal Tilak
What did the Home Rule Leagues push for?
Dominion status at the earliest convenience and were largely unsatisfied with the current British government
How popular were the Home Rule Leagues and why?
Increasingly popular
Grew to 60k in first year
Many members in the INC or positions of power
Accessible group - offered nonviolent approach through pamphlets (Annie Besant) and a radical terroristic approacj (Bal Tilak)
Why were the HRL taken seriously?
Midwar timing
Serious threat to the British during 1916 - integral year for supply (Somme) where Britain was reliant on overseas volunteers and support
What was the impact of the HRL?
Tilak arrested multiple occasions
Besant became head of the INC for a while in 1917 due to the popularity
Ultimately failed in gaining DS but laid the foundation for future nationalism as Tilak grew ill and old and Besant was appeased by the GOIRA
Heavy impact for if India had not remained loyal during the war - strong power - as big as the INC
Proto-nationalist type for Gandhi
Shows the power of nationalism and collectivism
Impossible for Britain to deal with the numbers they amassed and their methodology - Grassroots organisation of lower-castes and peasants - cant be negotiated with like the rich, student marches
Who/What is the impact of Bal Tilak?
‘The Father of Indian Unrest’
First figurehead of grassroots nationalism
When does Montagu become SoS and what his attitude?
Montagu becomes SoS for India in July 1916 and expresses a liberal attitude toward their affairs