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Book No. – 8 (Modern India – History)
Book Name – British Rule in India and After (V.D. Mahajan)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. Lord Ripon (1880-84)
1.1. Local Self-Government
1.2. Hunter Commission on Education
1.3. Decentralisation of Finance
1.4. Ibert Bill
1.5. Estimate of Lord Ripon
2. Lord Dufferin (1884-88)
2.1. Punjdeh Affair (1884)
2.2. Third Burmese War (1885)
3. Lord Lansdowne (1888-95)
4. Lord Elgin II (1894-99)
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Ripon to Elgin (1880-1898)
Chapter – 16
Lord Ripon (1880-84)
Lord Ripon resembled Lord William Bentinck in many ways, with a political outlook opposite to that of Lord Lytton and Lord Curzon.
He was a true Liberal of the Gladstonian era, with strong beliefs in peace, self-government, and laissez faire.
Until then, the Government of India acted in what it thought was in the best interests of the country without consulting the people’s aspirations and feelings.
According to Burke, the English in India were a nation of placemen and a republic without a people.
Montgomery criticized the British for disregarding the people of India when making decisions.
Indians receiving Western education and exposure to democratic institutions aspired to introduce similar systems in India.
Lord Ripon sympathized with these aspirations and took steps to address them.
In his Local Self-Government resolution, Lord Ripon aimed to provide political education to Indians by setting up Local Boards throughout the country.
Although many Englishmen opposed his views, Lord Ripon continued with what he believed was best for the people of India.
Lord Ripon brought the Second Afghan War to an end and repealed the Vernacular Press Act passed by Lord Lytton in 1881, which had been heavily criticized by Indians.
In a letter to Lord Hartington dated 19th February 1881, Ripon expressed that the officials in India viewed the press as a necessary evil, without appreciating the benefits of free discussion.
During Ripon’s time, it was difficult for Indians to enter the Indian Civil Service because the examinations were held in England and the age limit was set at 18.
Ripon was in favor of simultaneous examinations in India but could not convince the Council or Home Government to agree.
However, Ripon succeeded in raising the age limit for candidates from 18 to 21, providing better opportunities for Indians to compete in London.
When Sir Richard Garth, Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, went on leave, Ripon appointed Sir Romesh Chunder Mitter as acting Chief Justice.
This appointment faced strong opposition from the Europeans, including Sir Richard Garth himself, who objected to it.