India in 1880

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This book presents briefly to the world the results of an experience extending over nearly thirty years in India. Chapters II. and III., on the objects of beauty in nature and in art, also Chapter XXIII., on wild animals and sports, Chapters V., XXIV., XXV., and XXVI., on the Native States, the naval defences, the army, the foreign relations, and the conclusion, may furnish some help to those who patriotically reflect on the best means of holding a widespread dominion with the strong arm of authority, of guarding this mighty heritage against danger from without, and of vindicating British rights in Asia. The eflfect of all the chapters in combination will, it is hoped, be to display the present state of the Indian empire, its elements of security, its prospects of danger, its sources of weakness, its basis of ultimate prosperity.

Sir Richard Carnac Temple, 2nd Baronet, CB, CIE, FBA, FSA (1850-1931) was an Indian-born British administrator and the Chief Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an anthropological writer. Temple joined the Folklore Society in 1885 and among the papers he published in its journal was The science of folk-lore (1886). He wrote various works often dealing with the religions and geography of India.

THE issue of a third edition seems to be a suitable opportunity for nulverting in general terms to the notices which this book has received during the eighteen months that have elapsed since its first appearance. I am thankful to find that it has been favoured with some commendation from the Press, and that no material error whatever has been discovered. Still there has come from several organs of opinion some criticism which deserves attention, and may be considered as relating to, first, the want of definiteness in the expression of opinion regarding at least a few important points; secondly, the optimism alleged to characterize parts of the work.

The first heading of criticism, then, relates to the supposed want of definiteness in the expression of opinion regarding several important points. Now, as stated in the introduction, at page 3, the work was meant to be a dispassionate survey, and to supply the reader with the means of judging for himself regarding difficult and disputed questions rather than to establish any particular conclusions. I trust that this much is in some degree effected, and that the various sides, phases, or aspects of many doubtful matters are duly presented. Still in the course of the exposition, my own view was meant to be indicated, though it might not be dogmatically expressed. For instance in chapter IV. the political advantages accruing to the British Government from the existence of the Native States, the elements of security thereby afforded to the Indian empire, are positively set forth. By chapter VI. it was intended to imply distinctly that the land can support the additional numbers which are yearly being added to its vast population, that the wealth of the people is increasing fast under British rule, and is fairly well diffused among all classes except the very humblest, that even these humblest are not no depressed as they were in former times, and feel poverty loss than the corresponding classes among Northern and Western races. In chapters VII. and VIII. it is fully explained that the moral effect of British rule upon the various sections of the people is beneficial, with but few exceptions, that mental progress, though slow among the majority, is rapid among several important classes, that the character of the educated classes is greatly improved by the Western education, and that public instruction, though as yet defective and insufficient, is beginning to scatter blessings abroad. A large degre of success is claimed for the Christian missions in chapter IX., and a decisive influence for good is attributed to them. By chapter X. the legislation for India is declared to be excellent in all respects, and the charge of over-legislating is answerol. In chapter XI. the repression of violent crime is affirmed, while the police and prisons are pronounced to have been really much improved, despite many defects still remaining. The settlement of the land revenue and of landed tenures is unreservedly commended in chapter XII, the recognition by the Government of a property in the land is declared to be a valuable concession to the people, and a perpetual boon, while the status of the pro prietary classes, whether Inndlords or peasant proprictors, is held to be satisfactory. But while those tenants who have occupancy rights are protected against oppression, those who have not such rights are unprotected, and have a fair claim. to better protection in future. Still the rank and file of the agriculturists are on the whole flourishing.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages