British involvement in India from 1945.

Transcript

INDIA Oct 1945

A brief survey of the work done by the British in India; progress towards Dominion status; and difficulties in ensuring freedom from external aggression and internal disorder

THE WAR OFFICE GENERAL STAFF

Communal Differences

“Divide and Rule” principle to maintain the British Raj, not bourne out by those with practical experience of difficulties to which admin?is exposed by the recurrent disturbances.

To accuse British of fomenting communal disturbances is to speak in ignorance or in malice.

The advent of democratic forms of gov. has placed a premium upon political agitation.

Consequently neither Hindus nor Muslims are willing to lose any opportunity of demonstrating importance of their communities, leaders of both sides appealing to their co-religion (illegible) e.g Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim Khilafat Committee, continually conducting propaganda against one another.

Prizes- power, place and influence.

Communities draw apart, feelings rise high and some small incident precipitates a crisis.

Whatever criticisms of Br. Rule this is clear:

British rule, along among the many dominions India has known in her tragic history, has placed the country on the road which leads to national integration and to national self-government.