English Rule in India and India's Unrest Author(s): S. Bharmachari Source: The Journal of Race Development, Vol. 1, No.

2 (Oct., 1910), pp. 209-220 Published by: Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/29737858 . Accessed: 04/10/2013 02:06
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ENGLISH RULE IN INDIA AND INDIA'S UNREST.

By S. Bharmachari, Assistant Secretary of the Social Journal. during the Conference upon Demo*

cratic Party of India,

tar, an Indian An Address delivered

and recently Editor of Jugan

Natiotialist

at Clark University
the Far East.

Mr.

President,

Ladies

and

Gentlemen:?I

thank

you for the privilege of addressing this American audience, and through it the whole American people, in regard to a
country whose past contributed much to human progress

and civilization and the solution of whose present problems would bring peace and prosperity tomany millions. The present political problem of India is unique. To a
seem strange it may foreigner arms of and arts, the nursery now be converted student not into an that a country which has been and the cradle of civilization,

well reputed for its fabulous wealth

abode the Fifteen of plague. a To India

and splendor, should

constant famine of years and

are

of history, unknown.

achievements hundred

ancient before

London was heard of, India was noted for its ship-building industry. A thousand years and more before the birth of
was aerial understood Christ, navigation by were and balloons used in warfare. commonly astronomy progress and medical long before science, civilization head the nation dawned the Hindoos, In chemistry,

made stupendous in Greece; and in metaphysi? by Sir of the world, into

religion and philosophy

as the undisputed cal and spiritual In John the

it is still unsurpassed and is regarded

of all psychical, was

fountain

knowledge. seventeenth India century Shore to be the most prosperous "Had they sanctioned

deemed

and Frederick List says in his

Economy":

country " National System of Political free importation

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210

S. BHARMACHARI

England
ha ve ve come

of Indian goods, the English manufactories

to an end." an How is it, then, country, that

would

in the one hun

dr ed and fifty years

rted into

of British

rule India has been con

and over eighty mil

agricultural

lio ns of people, more than double the population ha ve died in starvation?

The answer is not far to seek. It has been

of England,
calculated by

th e British economists that between Plassey and Waterloo th ere was an influx of money to England from India of from $2 ,500,000,000 to $5,000,000,000 and in the closing twenty fiv e years of the nineteenth century $2,500,000,000 (West mi nster Gazette, April 24, 1908). Can any nation with sta nd this heavy drainage without feeling exhaustion in all spheres of her national life? More than this, India is to pay to England annually a sum of $150,000,000, for which
she gets no return.

A n unrepresented
of E ngland. administration who be that have ruled India It no voice for her has ruined can has

nation is thus sacrificed to the interest

not been be otherwise, thrust upon when a bureaucratic people, country whether an unwilling of their

whatsoever and

in the affairs uses

and in the control of its finance.

benefit, been and

England wishes India to

every her means,

fair or foul, to bring

industry

it about.
so undermined, her people

This explains why

commerce impoverished.

it is
and

England's

best

interest lies in India; loss of India, Lord Curzon truly said, would be the setting sun of British glory. India has given England unbounded wealth; it is this which has made
she she is today. India supplies uses in her manufacturing. science England and to in civil her the raw materials India affords her At own Trans? coer? to the

her what which trained the cost territorial

vaal.

the golden opportunity

in military of India,

to send forth her children to be

administration. for her and this sends expeditions Sudan, interests, to

aggrandizement the point of view has

Tibet,

From half

of British been

cive administration might

a century England

be justified, but the fact is, for

trying convey

civilized world the impression that it is in the best interest

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ENGLISH

RULE

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211

of India and of humanity that she has condescended to take up the huge responsibility of Indian administration; that
she has withdraw fusion one sect restored her peace and power today, tomorrow. India would and order; there would then, Russia late, that be she if she chaos should con? be and

represents, come

again deluged in blood, brother would fight against brother,

conquer If peace against another, the country when, means the silent until too and would the Hindoos of death, and would then

realize what a blessing had been the British rule.

slow process

England has given plenty of it to India. Hyderman has shown that more than eighty millions of people have died in the course of British rule in India andWilliam Digby has proved by statistics that "more than half the population do not know what it is to get a full meal from one year's end
to another. more than More a meal than a day." nine millions The of people annual average do not income get of

an Indian is only $12, out of which he has to pay $5.50 in

the shape of various taxes, such as land tax, water tax, police even salt tax tax, income tax, road tax and many others,

not being omitted.

land is not is not productive:

All this is not due to the fact that the

on the contrary, one year's crop is

sufficient to feed the whole nation for six years, provided it

If in one district the crops have exported. failed, in others have been abundant. In the years they always when there are partial are starved failures of crops, millions ? to death. is not to due the of grain This, however, scarcity

but of money, of which the people have been robbed to their last farthing by the British administration.
In all countries, are as a rule, the government encourages

and fosters home industry, but in India it is different.

obstacles made with

All

in the way of its progress. thrust All home? so that they may not compete goods are taxed heavily on which the imports the duty is almost nominal. servants, not do engineers and contractors the are ad?

Government if they do Those who the country

vised by their higher officials to use English manufactures;

take from so, they are dropped any active part in the industrial are harrassed the government by service. of progress in their

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212

S. BHARMACHARI

every step. This iswhy capitalists do not often dare to invest their money in any industrial speculation since they may It is thereby incur the displeasure of the ruliug power. a that industry supports and enriches nation; but in India has been killed in the selfish interest of Britain. industry The next thing that England boasts of is the order she has brought into India. Of course, railways and telegraphs have been introduced; but this has been due to the influence of the civilization of the twentieth century, not to that of
and tele? government. particular Moreover, railways are for the of the Brit? necessary graphs military operations any

ish administration.
government could

Without
possibly exist

their introduction
today in such

no alien
coun?

a vast

try as India. No doubt the people derive a great benefit from them, but their primary use ismilitary and political.
Schools and colleges indeed have been opened where oc?

cidental education is imparted; but taking into consideration the vastness of the country and the immensity of the popu?
few and limited. lation, they are very does not spend more than a cent per head The annually while government on edu?

cation.
more 000 are

Out of the annual revenue of $360,000,000

spent $4,500,000are for military the universities spent for education There purposes.

not

than

$115,000, is not a single to

college for any technical training, or for any higher branch

of science; manufacture the stereotyped national uni? and spread of higher education schools, colleges versities have been started of by the zeal and enthusiasm but the is trying to throw young men, patriotic government as many as possible, obstacles in their way the being under are merely and lawyers huge machines clerks. For

impression that these institutions are hotbeds of sedition.

Almost lishmen. annually all offices One $3334 of responsibility are occupied by Eng? hundred and five positions, each paying or over, are held by Englishmen. Among

the officers who are paid from $1667 to $3334 there are 441 natives in the civil departments against 1207 British and
96 Eurasians. employed the dark In against of days the military 1699 British 25 department and 22 Eurasians. rule the natives Even chief are in offices

the Mohammedan

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ENGLISH

RULE

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213

were almost entirely occupied by the Hindoos. In the time of Akbar, almost all theministers of state were Hindoos,
and the commander-in-chief was a Hindoo Prince. Without

going further into details it is not too much to say that British rule is no better than the Russian. In Russia there
is a bureaucratic wealth is not to be sure, but the national government, drained off to foreign it is accumu? countries:

lated and utilized

progress

for the social, industrial and military

and the children of the country are

of the nation,

the rulers of the land. The last of England's

withdraw or grant her power

arguments is that in case she should

India, the country would be no

from

better off than it is today.

complete

But can England really withdraw

to India? Is there any

self-government

Englishman who dares to make this proposal before the British Cabinet? There may be a few who have been struggling to induce the British Parliament to democratise the autocracy in India, not because India ought to be free, but because if substantial reforms should be granted agita? tion might cease, discontent be appeased and England be permitted to rule India longer and enrich herself further
thereby. It is claimed that there are so many languages, castes and

creeds in India that they are opposed to the realization of the political unity of the country. But is this really so?
Religious portant in every where, land, religious and sober judgment has taken India religion, has fought scarcely while for centuries caste and creed fanaticism, in the destiny part shaping longer play an im? of a nation. Every? fanaticism has cooled down its place. In India, espec? for the of supremacy and again again It is a common a united color, or the broad rivers into no

ially, toleration has been the foundation of its religious life.

any wars Europe in religious contests. interest that make people their caste, or their their creed barrier of high mountains and them. of India, whether Hindoo, or illiterate, literate feels Mohammedan, the string equally has been

with blood deluged aim and a common nation, not

geographical which surround Every or Jain, native

whether

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214

S. BHARMACHARI

of slavery, the arrogance of John BulPs race, feels that his country is tramped underfoot in the interest of England. It is this which makes all India one and united.
The mixed instinct British evil. and rule The acute in India, however, has not been an un? the commercial great organizing capacity, business the undaunted courage ability,

and persevering zeal of the sturdy race of Britain has taught India a great deal and infused a new impulse into her national
movements. The network of railways and telegraph lines

has brought into close contact the far distant districts of this vast country. The English language has fulfilled a
great ferent with mission. It has to meet been the lingua franca of the cul? the

tured society and has made

provinces the western

it possible for the people of dif?

platform has to discuss

on the same

events of the day.

enthusiastic of Europe,

It has brought India into closer union

world. the Young systems and the India with learned, of political institutions success. secret of their

eagerness, of America,

Hundreds of young men go abroad annually to study; they come back to their country inspired by a new vision of life,
new hopes the were and aspirations; but when they return to their

native
After classes

soil they find that political

proclamation under the of Britain of Queen impression are who

slavery is their only lot.

the cultured Victoria, that it is the unworthy for the mal? responsible

representatives

administration of the country, and that if the British people could be convinced of their injustice and if India could prove
her fitness and government National resolutions a representative she would be given unity, of her own. To protest the abuses and against

and the injustice of the British administration,

unanimously passed all castes and who represented delegates then this Congress Since has met try. Congress were was inaugurated in

the Indian

seventeen 1887; the assembled by creeds of the coun? but very Since

annually,

has been suppressed by the government. recently to the British 1887 it has sent scores of deputations ment, pledges with long petitions, signed protesting against vehemently has given to her England

Parlia?

of the people, by millions the nonfulfilment of the again and again.

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ENGLISH

RULE

IN INDIA

215

But political agitation did not take any serious shape until in 1905?the the partition of Bengal was proclaimed ever Britain in India. blunder committed greatest political was It the defying of the unanimous public opinion of the
whole not nation, nation. The leaders to of the congress its effect. were stupified whole polit

at this mistaken
devise any however,

policy of the government,

means was nullify and agitated; patriotic

but they could

The young

icans organised a boycott of British goods. Its effect was far reaching; like wild fire it spread over the country and finally took up a militant shape. Hundreds of students
left volunteers. the university to preach and began were British goods heaped and native organize were and together

put to the flames.

the message city to city nation at of and

From
and

the pulpit and from the press

freedom to spread from began to province, the whole arousing The government being alarmed

liberty province

activity. the progress of the movement to suppress it at wanted so one followed. hundred any cost, persecution Nearly were in the course and twenty arrested of a few months, of whom from imprisonments, to two years. of these young men were of scholarly attainments, have been proud, but the govern? any nation would six months to these their patriotic sentiments zeal. were all newspapers but could gagged, nothing the presses were not con? Almost were sentenced to rigorous

to feverish

many varying Many of whom

ment would not tolerate the freedom of their speech and was
indifferent with nationalistic

as long as organs " a very popular The organ of Indian Jugantar," seven had of its sent to jail in the editors nationalism, course a of Its first B. Dutta, when year. editor, Mr. to not like did undertake the technical? arrested, legal suppress fiscated. ities he whenever defence. any the government or not, he is guilty waste money of court the open that a to man, whether conspires punish is sure to be convicted; why, then, in and energy? In his statement he He was He said

uselessly of his received

boldly said that he did whatever he could in the best interest

and was country his conviction for the consequences. prepared a smile, and his example with

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216

S. BHARMACHARI

soon followed by Mr. B. Upadaya, the editor of "Sandya," a leading nationalist daily, who said; "I do not acknowledge the right of England to rule over India, nor do I acknowledge any law, which is not framed by the people for the benefit
of the people. I have soon he served my died country and my the God, trial for was

which
crat."

I am not to be held responsible to an alien bureau?

Very in prison, before

finished.

These

examples
its terror. became

inspired the whole

very nervous at

nation
the

and

soon lost the prison The government

rapidity

with which
common

the officials were

so to regain The lowest

losing their prestige with

it they class planned a game

the

people,

which

took away the last faith the people had in the British ad?
ministration. Mohammedan hooligans

were hired by the local government of Eastern Bengal, of which Sir B. F. Fuller was the head. At a time when almost all men were at a neighboring fair, they pounced upon
Jamalpour, set houses sanctity town of Bengal, looted the property, on fire, and, most of the revolting all, violated of Hindoo women homes. of these defenceless Many a small

subsequently committed suicide rather than live an ignoble life. The policy of the government was to show to the world that the Hindoos are defenceless if British power is
But the effect was quite the contrary. of young men took up their march towards the outrage where and the when occurred, police withdrawn. ands Thous? the place interfered

there was a regular fight.

upon the soldiers hands the unarmed people, surrendered and

The military
but after the whole

post opened fire

hours' was town struggle in the

a two

of the revolutionists The

for a week.

This was an object

lesson for both

the people and the

that it was at last time government. people thought for them to organise military so societies forces, sprang up

and military
the authorities. prominent

drills were almost openly held in defiance of

Three societies in this matter. a took especially Anushilon enlisted more But these could tried very than not to

part

ninety
proceed

thousand volunteers;
Society, unchecked. thirty Very

Brati Society, fifty thousand;

thousand. soon the authorities

and Shavak

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ENGLISH

RULE

IN INDIA

217

All Eastern suppress the movement by every means. Bengal was declared under martial law and no meeting could
be held intendent. to meet without Not the more of the police express super? permission men were than eighteen permitted no one could carry a stick in his hands: spies man and was detectives safe from

together; were at night; raided houses private were No everywhere. public spirited

sudden arrest; unexpectedly his house is raided, he is seized and handcuffed and taken to a dark dungeon, where he is subjected to humiliations and to tortures. There he must
stay in solitary confinement for a quarter of a year, or even

more if needs be for the completion of the investigation, after which begins the lingering trial. It goes on month
after month he is discharged and at the end of a year since no case or so, when his energy

is gone and he is perhaps an invalid for the rest of his life,

can be proven against him.

This is what India was two years ago; since that time the situation has not improved, and has rather been getting worse day by day. Nearly eighteen months ago, the colonization bill was passed in the Punjab and the whole of upper India was agita?
ted. When the Indian leaders were with organized to show sympathy arrested, meetings them, but as these of court the The were were

dispersed
Rawlpindi?a frontier?was building, the Indian in the air. the flowers

by the military

forces, the English

centre

quarter of

strong military set on fire in retaliation. the police was station ordered and the

northwestern magistracy all house were

ablaze and the English

had to fly for their lives. When

the crowd, they shot the seriousness understanding to charge

cavalry The government, of the British

of the position,
drawing arrests were yers after the bill.

since the Punjab

When

is the home of the Shiks,

a compromise by with? nearly ninety influential law?

made

in prison; but for a year, all but about half since nothing could be proven At Lahore, them. Sardor Agit and Lajpat against Singh to the government invited and were there Roy were house, lasted

and merchants, a protracted trial which a dozen were released,

restored, in Rawlpindi, including of whom died many

army, made peace was

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218

S. BHARMACHARI

arrested and sent to Mandalya forts, nearly two thousand miles off, to be kept in solitary imprisonment, without any
or private, them. against being preferred charge, public was in these times of excitement, when all public meet? It were the pulpits for? the presses confiscated, ings suppressed,

It bidden, that the Society of Brotherhood was formed. was the logical outcome of oppression. It preached through
clandestine no in a that presses means of action but other warfare. The moderates subjugated through who is there country, secret societies and believed in constitu?

guerilla had now

tional agitation had become disappointed.

given yet up politics were and were devoting bitter

Many

of them
to that

themselves

the task of improving the industry and education

nation, these learning The by experience boycotters

of the

political freedom is the first condition of growth in any sphere

of national activity. passive resisters, and

the labour unionists cherished the belief that if the nation could be so organized that the British would get no help from
the natives?if no one would India. enter the police have or the army or

any kind of government

compelled to realize the fifteen escape leaders to abandon that are no such

service?England
They

would

then be

confined

organization in British while in the

come now, however, is possible, for many of

or twenty years; are wandering for protection, are

for ten, prisons?some ones who fortunate could countries. There is no

foreign

power in this vast world to which an Indian Patriot may

appeal They except to his own strength.

You have heard of the impartial British Courts of Justice.

as a rule, but state in political trials, impartial, man a The who the orders of justice. mockery they arrest of a patriot is the very same man who signs his death and the judicial duties The eiecutive functions warrant. are are embodied in some bomb cases inexperienced that the officer who is the master

of 1,500,000 souls.
Midnapur and bribed men

It has been found out in the Alipur and

forged documents, police confessions and to give implicating the Judge does not abide by the de? false evidence. Often In the case of Mr. the great cision of the jury. Tilak, were Mahratta against him, leader, out of nine jurors, two to make

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ENGLISH

RULE

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219

but these were both Englishmen; the remaining seven, who were all natives, declared that he was not guilty of sedition for which he was being tried?but with all that he was con?
victed and sentenced to nine Basu, In case of Satyendra of Narenda the murder their verdict in favour years' who was rigorous imprisonment. in tried for conspiracy out of three jurors, two gave and the other expressed

Gossain, of Mr. Basu

the belief that he should be given the favour of a doubt? but he was hanged, and the last honour to the dead, the re? But the privilege ligious ritual, was not even permitted. a men not of trial is of position and promi? given to all. Nine nence in Bengal have been recently arrested and kept in different prisons of India in solitary confinement :yet many of them took no part in the political agitation. These nine
are: 1. Mr. College, A. Dutta, one of the K. Mitra, P. Dutta, a professor an educator, of Brojmohon centres of occidental education greatest a prominent the president in the city-college,

in India.
2. Mr. Calcutta. 3. Mr. culture of a prominent orator physical and Indian Dacca. association, 4. Mr. S. Chakraberty, professor

an accomplished

journalist. 5. Mr. R. donation 6. Mr. 7. Mr. 8. Mr. Barisal. 9. Mr. These solitary The

a well known whose S. Mallic, philanthropist, the national of Calcutta. university B. Nag, the president of a volunteer organization started the president of a labour union. the of an ethical Chattergee, president association,

Guha,

of the anti-circular S. Basu, the president society. for has selected that the government the men confinement for an indefinite period. are

Pillai,

to Mr. sentence of ten years' startling imprisonment of Shadeshi the president Steam Navigation Co., for an alleged seditious and fifteen attending lecture, years' to Mr. H. for imprisonment Varma, expressing sympathy Mr. A. Ghose, University, the Mazzini when the National of the president of India, a in he was arrested conspir

with

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220

S. BHARMACHARI

acy case at Alipur?all

have tive. and made the nationalistic

these and a hundred other cases

movement secret and conspira

to gauge the amount of real unrest very difficult there is no in the country. On the surface, discontent sources from of but different reports storm, sign impending and that a large amount of arms and ammu?

It is now

are coming that there is a strong feeling against the British

government,

nition have been smuggled into the country. Lord Morley's reform proposals have been received with absolute indiffer ance, for the official members in the viceregal and legislative councils will be in the majority and the nominated members will be under the government influence. So they will be bound to look out for the interest of the government, that is?the British people. But whatever be the defect of Lord
Morley's reforms, if they had been granted five years ago

they would have been received by millions of the Indian peo? But now India, from Cape Comorin ple with welcome.
to Peshwar, is one seething mass of unrest and discontent?

ment. The doctrines of Baren and Upen, the twin brothers of Indian Revolution, have been too deeply inculcated in the nation. The calm indifference and themajestic challenge with which more than half a dozen young patriots have died on the British scaffold in the course of a few months, have made
the when to wage political situation death war more is to be attached grave to the was and serious. of utterances If any Baren for then and importance and Ullus, attempting the Indian clouds.

sentence

against sky seems to be overcast

on them passed the British government, with storms

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