lord curzon of kedlestone, viceroy 1899-1905:

• attempted to give India best government

  • pushed reforms for commerce, communication, agriculture, education, defence, security, etc - ‘labouring with indefatigable zeal’

  • convinced he knew best n unwilling to delegate - he believed in his ‘sacred mission’ to rule India as only he could

  • the pro-Indian aspect of his policies infuriated many many Brits in India

  • he did not go far enough, however, to meet the Congress’ wishes & resisted including more Indians in gov

  • convinced both of Britain’s ‘duty’ to India n also aware of the weaknesses of Britain’s Empire

    • his lofty views far from ‘grubby commercialism’ but still problematic

the partition of Bengal, 1905:

• Curzon unilaterally partitions Bengal between Muslim-dominated east and Hindu-dominated west without consultation.

• Piers Brendon views it as "administratively convenient but politically provocative" and a successful instance of divide and rule.

• Short-term success leads to the creation of the Muslim League in 1906, Tilak’s campaigns, Gokhale’s swadeshi advocacy, nationwide protests, and violence in Bengal.

• Partition abandoned in 1911.

the morley-minto reforms of 1908-1909:

• John Morley, Gladstonian Liberal, becomes Secretary of State for India in 1906.

• Collaborates with Viceroy Lord Minto to implement reforms addressing Congress demands.

• Introduces the idea of involving politically active Indians in government via the Indian Councils.

• Aims to address the Hindu-Muslim issue by reserving seats for Muslims.

• Positive reactions, but "extremists" find reforms inadequate, while some British think they go too far.

india: WWI eve

• Growing loyalty to the British.

• Increasing demands for more government involvement or 'home rule' in the Empire.

• 'Communal India' relatively unaffected by the Raj, except for taxes and alleged famine (controversial).

• British attitudes: a mix of confidence, insecurity, service, and exploitation.

• 1911 Delhi Durbar: A statement of British power and permanence, or something else?