Lord Curzon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, implemented several policies that had profound and lasting implications on the national movements in India. One of his notable initiatives was the Partition of Bengal in 1905, aimed at administrative efficiency but widely perceived as an attempt to create religious divisions between Hindus and Muslims. This move triggered widespread protests and opposition, leading to its eventual reversal in 1911. Another significant policy was Curzon’s attempt to regulate and control universities through the Indian Universities Act of 1904. While intended to improve educational standards, it generated discontent among students and educators, fueling anti-colonial sentiments. Additionally, Curzon’s emphasis on enhancing the role and power of the bureaucracy further alienated Indian leaders. These policies contributed to the growing nationalist fervor, with the Indian National Congress and other political entities actively resisting such measures. In the long term, Lord Curzon’s policies inadvertently strengthened the resolve of Indians to seek self-governance and laid the groundwork for the emergence of a unified and determined national movement against British colonial rule.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2020
Modern Indian History
UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2020
Decoding the Question
- In Introduction,
- Write about the timeline and brief about his overview and circumstances when he took over the reign.
- In Body,
- Discuss various policies that he implemented.
- Elaborate on the effects of those policies on Indian people socially, politically, and economically.
- In Conclusion, mention the opinions/remarks as to why the policies were far-reaching and how they galvanized and unified the Indian public.
Answer
Introduction
Lord Curzon became the Viceroy of India in 1899 and governed till 1905. He was a true successor of Lord Dalhousie. He was a great imperialist, authoritarian in temperament, ruthless in his ways and wanted to achieve too much at too great pace. The time of his governorship, was the formative phase of Indian national movement. Thus he tried to strangulate Indian nationalism and freedom movement by all fair and foul means.
Policies adopted by Lord Curzon
Calcutta Corporation Act, 1899:
The Act reduced the number of the elected representatives to the Calcutta Corporation. The aim was to deprive Indians of self-governance and serve the interests of the European business community who complained of delay in grants of licenses.
Bengal Partition, 1905:
Bengal was divided, on the pretext of administrative convenience, in two separate provinces. The real motive was to check the relentlessly rising nationalism among the Bengalis. Curzon wanted to create fission based on religious identity.
Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904:
This Act was passed to preserve the ancient monuments, gain control over traffic in antiquities, and to protect ancient monuments of historical importance. Through this Act, the government gained the power to acquire protected areas, and to regulate archaeological excavation anywhere in India.
Indian Universities Act of 1904:
To set the educational system in order, he instituted in 1902, a Universities Commission to go into the entire question of university education in the country.The provision of this Act introduced the structure of election to the Senate in the Indian Universities. The govt kept the veto and the overriding powers to itself in the matters of all the Universities in India, which increased the govt control over it.
Police Commission in 1902:
He instituted a Police Commission in 1902 under the chairmanship of Sir Andrew Frazer. Curzon accepted all the recommendations and implemented them. He set up training schools for both the officers and the constables and introduced provincial police service. During the Curzon regime, the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) was established which covered roughly the areas of upper course of River Indus.
Implication of Lord Curzon’s Policies
Curzon was a true imperialist and deeply racist, and convinced of Britain’s “civilizing mission”. He was intolerant of Indian political aspirations and his ambition was to strangulate the national movement. He had famously said, “Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of my greatest ambitions while in India is to assist it to a peaceful demise.”
- The steps taken by Curzon to curb political aspirations created resentment and a confrontation with the educated middle-class nationalists ensued.
- The partition of Bengal paved the way for the rise of nationalism, and it garnered a mass movement in the country.
- Especially the Swadeshi movement and the Vande Mataram movement was due to the ill-thought policies of Lord Curzon. The Swadeshi movement was started in Bengal in 1905 with an appeal to boycott British goods and promote swadeshi. It was probably the first wide-scale movement after the revolt of 1857. The future movements by Gandhiji, such Non-Cooperation were considered to be based on Swadeshi movement.
- Communal politics had started to take deep roots in Indian society. Pitting Muslims and Hindus against each other to divide the unity.
- Later, numerous revolutionary organisation like Jugantar began to emerge. They actively engaged in anti-colonial activities and instilled nationalism among the youth.
Conclusion
The partition of Bengal and the high-handed behaviour of Curzon fired the national movement. His policies, contradictory to his beliefs, strengthened and extended the reach of nationalism. He also ended up extending the clout of extremists and revolutionaries who did not believe in pleading and petitioning. The long-term effect of his policies was the subsequent withdrawal of the British government years later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What were the key policies implemented by Lord Curzon during his tenure in India?
A: Lord Curzon, as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, implemented several policies. These included the Partition of Bengal in 1905, educational reforms, and administrative changes. Understanding these policies is crucial to evaluating his impact on Indian history.
Q: How did the Partition of Bengal impact the national movements in India?
A: Explore the reasons behind the controversial decision to partition Bengal in 1905 and its repercussions. Discuss its impact on the socio-political landscape, fostering discontent among Indians and leading to widespread protests. Analyze the role of this policy in shaping the early nationalist sentiments.
Q: What were Lord Curzon’s contributions to educational reforms in India?
A: Lord Curzon played a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of India. Evaluate the educational policies he introduced, such as the Universities Act of 1904. Examine the long-term implications of these reforms on the educational system and the intellectual development of the country.
Q: How did Lord Curzon’s administrative changes influence the Indian political structure?
A: Delve into the administrative reforms initiated by Lord Curzon, such as the reorganization of provinces and the introduction of the Indian Civil Services Examination. Assess the impact of these changes on the governance of British India and their lasting effects on the structure of the Indian state.
Q: What role did Lord Curzon play in shaping the Indian nationalist movement?
A: Evaluate Lord Curzon’s impact on the growth of the Indian nationalist movement. Examine how his policies and decisions fueled dissent and resistance among Indians, ultimately contributing to the momentum of the nationalistic struggle. Consider the long-term implications of his governance on the trajectory of India’s fight for independence.
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