Policy in India

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Imperial Policy in India

Britain's policy in India was shaken after the Indian Mutiny. Between 1890 and 1914, the British focussed on keeping the regime secure but were also pressured to implement some reforms.

British policy in India

The overall aims in India were to keep the British Raj secure and make sure that the native population was acquiescent.
The extension of education became important as India's economy developed. However, in 1872, 3.5% of India's population was literate. In 1911, 5.9% of India's population was literate.
Indian workers and Indian troops were sent to other British colonies, like Uganda, to help with security and the construction of British-funded railways.

'Divide and rule'

The Indian Civil Service adopted a policy of ‘divide and rule’, accentuating divisions in caste, religion, and location.
There was a growing divide between the Anglo-Indian elite and illiterate rural masses.
There were growing criticisms of British rule.
The educated elite formed the Indian National Congress in 1885 to campaign for Home Rule.
Those in the lower castes formed the ‘Servants of India Society’ and agitated for reform in Indian legislation. The caste system in India divides people into 4 groups based on their position in society on birth. Some castes were discriminated against based on their birth. This continues today.

Viceroy Curzon & The Partition of Bengal

Viceroy Curzon was an energetic reformer in his role from 1899-1905. He was forced to resign after the unsuccessful Partition of Bengal in 1905.

Viceroy Curzon's reforms

In the year 1901, Viceroy Curzon set up the Imperial Cadet Corps. The Imperial Cadet Corps gave Indian elites a military training. The ICC was disbanded in 1915 after limited success.
He created the North-West Frontier Province in 1901 to defend India from Russia’s growing incursions into Afghanistan.
He reformed universities and the police.
He adopted the gold standard (which was a fixed exchange rate currency policy).
He lowered taxes for local Indian populations.

Viceroy Curzon cont.

Curzon was forced to resign after the unsuccessful Partition of Bengal in 1905.
During his time as Viceroy, Lord Curzon referred to the 'extraordinary inferiority' of the local people over whom he ruled, despite some 'positive' reforms.

The Partition of Bengal

The partition was intended to divide India into a Muslim-majority East and a Hindu-majority West.
This move caused an uproar as many wealthy Hindus had owned land in the East.
- They perceived this as an attempt by the British to challenge their economic strength.
As a result, there was a boycott of British goods.
The division was supported by the Muslim Elite, who set up the All India Muslim League in 1906.
Political protests led to the two provinces being reunited in 1911.

Morley-Minto reforms

Viceroy Minto and John Morley (Secretary of State of India) introduced a limited reform programme.
- In 1909, an element of representative government was introduced.
- 27 Indians were elected to the Viceroy’s council, providing representation for India's regional populations.
- In the 1910 elections, 135 Indian people were elected to sit on new, larger provincial councils. But the local representation of Indian people remained very poor by democratic standards. The influence of these elected officials was questionable relative to the power of the viceroy.

Viceroy Hardinge

Viceroy Hardinge moved India’s capital to Delhi to undermine Hindu revolutionaries.
Hardinge declared war on the British side of World War 1 on India’s behalf in 1914.