2.4.3

Key Administrators - Curzon

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George Curzon

Curzon was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905.

Securing India's borders

Securing India's borders

  • Curzon created the North West Frontier Province, now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, in 1901.
  • He also dispatched a military expedition to Tibet due to fears over Russian aggression near India.
Moral duty

Moral duty

  • Curzon believed in his moral imperial duty.
    • "The hand of Divine Providence behind the creation and expansion of an empire which is a supreme force for good in the world”.
  • He took great pride in representing Britain and its imperial mission.
  • Curzon reportedly said "the best work in the world was always done by members of the aristocracy".
Administrative reform

Administrative reform

  • Curzon had direct responsibility for famine relief projects and agricultural projects involving irrigation.
  • He oversaw the construction of 10,000km of railway lines in India. However, this transport infrastructure probably helped to secure British control and advantage.
  • Curzon also encouraged scientific and medical education in India.
Reforms incorporating the indigenous population

Reforms incorporating the indigenous population

  • Curzon founded the Imperial Cadet Corps in an attempt to give the Indian nobility a military education.
  • Curzon was responsible for restoring the Taj Mahal and personally paid a £40,000 to the project.
  • Curzon promoted an Anglo-Indian nationality, not a native Indian one.
Limiting the power of the indigenous population

Limiting the power of the indigenous population

  • Despite Curzon's reforms, he didn’t want to give Indians too much power.
    • He had a low opinion of the abilities of Indians and was hostile to the Indian National Congress.
  • According to Kitchen (1996), "Lord Curzon regarded virtually all of humanity as inferior and put the Indians near the bottom of the scale".
  • In 1901, he informed a colleague that no Indian person existed who was able enough to work on the country's Executive Council.
Reaction to Curzon's policies

Reaction to Curzon's policies

  • Curzon's policies were very unpopular among educated Indians, especially the Partition of Bengal.
    • Curzon felt that by dividing Bengal in 1905 he would weaken the Raj’s internal enemies (wealthy Hindu elites).
    • Steil (2013) argues that Curzon divided Bengal "for reasons of administrative efficiency", but did not consult Indians, who viewed the move as contrary to Bengali nationalism.
  • Either way, the partition of Bengal backfired and he had to resign.
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1

High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914

1.1

Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890

1.1.1Empires over Time1.1.2Key Questions About Empires1.1.3Expansion into Africa1.1.4History of Egypt1.1.5Control of Egypt1.1.6Control of Sudan
1.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890

1.2.1The British Empire & India1.2.2The British Raj1.2.3International Relations with other Powers1.2.4Scramble for Africa1.2.5The Informal Empire
1.3

Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890

1.3.1Trade & Commerce in the Empire1.3.2Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce1.3.3Products of Trade & Commerce
1.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890

1.4.1Explorers1.4.2Missionaries1.4.3Traders & Colonial Administrators1.4.4Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism
1.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890

1.5.1Relations with India1.5.2Relations with South Africa1.5.3British-Boer Relations
2

Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914

2.1

Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914

2.1.1Consolidation & Expansion into Africa2.1.2Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa2.1.3Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa
2.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914

2.2.1Policy in India2.2.2Policy in Egypt2.2.3Native Policy in Colonies2.2.4International Relations with Other Powers
2.3

Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914

2.3.1The Benefits of Trade2.3.2Costs of the Empire2.3.3Debates Over Trade
2.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

2.4.1Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes2.4.2Key Administrators - Baring & Milner2.4.3Key Administrators - Curzon2.4.4Government Attitudes to the Empire2.4.5National Efficiency & the Boer War2.4.6Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism
2.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914

2.5.1Challenges in India2.5.2Challenges in Africa2.5.3Challenges in South Africa2.5.4Historical Interpretations of the Boer War2.5.5Relations & Business with Iran
3

Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967

3.1

Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947

3.1.1Impact of WW13.1.2Palestine3.1.3Ireland & WW13.1.4Impact of WW2 on the British Empire
3.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947

3.2.1Administration in India & Palestine3.2.2Administration in Iraq & the Dominions3.2.3Imperial Defence
3.3

Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War

3.3.1Economic Impact of WW13.3.2Inter-War Trade & Commerce3.3.3Economic Impact of WW2
3.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

3.4.1Colonial Administrators3.4.2Trusteeship3.4.3Gandhi3.4.4Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow3.4.5Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins3.4.6Imperialist Ideals
3.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947

3.5.1Ireland & India 1914-19473.5.2The Middle East and Africa
4

The Wind of Change, 1947-1967

4.1

Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967

4.1.1Reasons for Decolonisation4.1.2Decolonisation in East & West Africa4.1.3Decolonisation in Central & South Africa4.1.4Decolonisation in Asia
4.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967

4.2.1Relations & Business with Iran after WW24.2.2The 'Winds of Change'4.2.3The Suez Canal Crisis - 19564.2.4International Relations 1947-1967
4.3

Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967

4.3.1The Economic Impact of WW2
4.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967

4.4.1Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke4.4.2Local Leaders in the Independence Movement4.4.3Pan-Africanism in Nationalism
4.5

Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967

4.5.1Windrush & Immigration4.5.2Commonwealth Immigrants Act4.5.3Residual Impact of the Empire
4.6

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967

4.6.1Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 19474.6.2Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising4.6.3Nigeria & Rhodesia

Practice questions on Key Administrators - Curzon

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  1. 1
    What did Curzon do to secure India's borders?Fill in the list
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    Why did Curzon divide Bengal, according to Steil (2013)?Multiple choice
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Key Administrators - Baring & Milner

Government Attitudes to the Empire