UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO 3 1822 00718 2512 r \ LIBRARY ^ UNIVfUSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO ^ n Social Sciences & Humanities Library University of California, San Diego Please Note: This item Is subject to recall. Date Due MAY 2 4 2003 CI 39 (5/97) UCSDLib. n 0)5 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS TOLD FROM OFFICIAL ^JECORDS BY ANNIE BESANT fHEOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING HOUSE MuYAR, MADRAS, INDIA T. P. S., LONDON; T. P. H., BENARES "HE INDIAN BOOK DEPOT, BOMBAY 915 DEDICATED WITH PROFOUI^D DEVOTION TO THE MOTHERLAND AND WITH RESPECTFUL ADMIRATION TO HER NOBLI SON DADABHAI NAOROJI BY HER SERVANT ANNIE BESANT S^' NOTE I offer most grateful thanks to a Fellow of the Theo- sophical Society who has made the splendid Index which adds quite indefinitely to the value of the book. Annie Besant ' FOREWORD Little is needed to explain the pnrpose of this book. It is a plain story of India's constitu- tional struggle for Freedom, a story so pathetic in its patience, so strong in its endurance, so far-seeing in its wisdom, that it is India's justi- fication — if any justification can be needed for asserting the right to Freedom — for her demand for Home Rule. The younger generation are impatient under the repetition of disregarded demands, and they are right. The time has come for the definite agitation for Home Rule, to continue till it is granted. But they are wrong if they fail to recognise that these thirty years of work alone make it possible that the full demand for Free- dom can now be effectively made. And they are doubly wrong if they are not grateful to these builders of the Indian Nation, who, when all was dark around them, believed in the dawn- ing of the Day. They have laid the foundation on which their youngers can build. Homage then to the veterans, living still with us here, and living in the world beyond. That the younger generation may know how splendidly they wrought, this book is written. I fearlessly place this volume before the pub- lic, as a proof of India's fitness for Home Rule. The grasp of the questions dealt with, the saga- city of the remedies proposed for poverty and misrule, the sobriety of the claims urged, the knowledge of, and the sympathy with, the sorrows of the people, prove how much better off India would be under Self-E,ule than under Othei'-Rule. Let anj'- unprejudiced student turn over the Resolutions passed by the Congress during thirty years, and see how it laid bare the popular suffering, and how it pointed with uner- ring finger to the causes of that suffering — the drain of Indian wealth to England, the exorbi- tant cost of the alien rule, the ever-increasing military expenditure, the sacrifice of Indian industries, the land-tax ever rising and condemn- ing the peasantry to perpetual indebtedness, and to a hopeless poverty and semi-starVation that have no parallel in any other civilised Nation, it is these facts, covered up by officials, but laid })are by tlie Cono^ress, whi(;h make Home ]iule necessary, if a catastrophe is to be avoided. The daily insult of the Arms Act, the con- stant oppression of the Press and Seditious Meetings Acts, the exclusion of Indians from the higher grades of the Army, the Police, the Educational Service, and a score of other wrongs, while bitterly felt by a high-spirited people, have not in them the immediate menace that lies in the grinding poverty of the masses of the population. People become more or less accustomed to the " atmosphere of inferiority," and oppression, long submitted to, at last dulls pride and weakens self-respect. But people never become accustomed to Hunger, and they become desperate when they see no hope of relief for themselves, nor for their children after them. The danger to British Rule lies far more in the misery of the masses than in the discontent of the educated. To call attention to that danger before it is too late, this book is issued. The Historical Introduction is the background of the story. It is the testimony of 5,000 years to India,'s success in ruling herself. Let Indian history be set side by side with European history — with what there is of the latter — century by century, and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison. Take but the sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth centurie?, to go back no further. Compare Akbar's tolerance with the persecution of Protestants by i\lary, of Roman Catholics by Elizabeth, and of Puritans by James and Charles. Read the Penal I ;aws against Roman Catholics in Ireland, and ask if the English, who enacted and enforced them, were fit for Self-Government. See the misery and starvation of France in the eighteenth century ending in the Revolution, review the Peasants' War in Germany, the constant Wars in Italy, the turbulence of Hungary and Poland, the royal murders and revolutions in England, and say if all these countries Avere more fit for Self-Government than India. Yet they, unworthy, took it, and have purified themselves by it, becoming more fit in the using of it. India, more worthy than they to take it, is deemed unfit. The only argu- ment against India's fitness is her submission. JMay this book help Britain to understand the shame of her autocratic rule in India, her broken pledges, her selfishness, her preference of her own to India's interests. May it help India to realise Ikm- duty to Herself. Annuo Besant CONTENTS PAGE Foreword Historical Introduction Chapter I Chaiter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII Chapter IX Chapter X Chapter XI Chapter XJI Chapter XIII Chapter XIV Chapter XV Chapt'er XVI Chapter XVII . Chapter XVIII. Chapter XIX . Chapter XX Chapter XXI Chapter XXII . Chapter XXITI . Pakt I II Chai'Ter XXIV . Chapter XXV . Chapter XXVI Chapter XXV 11 Chapter XXVIII Chapter XXIX Appendix -. Chapter XXVII. Index IJiiii.iiKjKAi'iiy (li„, p. KJ, Kd. 1908. In .so brief a sketch, it IB bottiT not tgrai)hy of tlic books consulted on the history here condensed, whicli will guide the serious student in his researcii, will bo found at the enri of this Introduction. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 111 this rich soil, and whatever may contribute to its later growth — and the contributions are enormous — the Nation's Life and Unity are rooted here. He who knows nothing of the infinite wealth of this " unhistori- cal " past will never understand the Indian heart and mind, and Sir Valentine Chirol, in his malicious and unscrupulous book on Indian- Unrest^ saw accurately the truth that from the " Hindu Revival" was born the National Movement of Modern India, as from a similar Revival was born the Maratha Confederacy. Moreover, very many of the institutions and customs of " histori- cal " times are continuous with those of the " legendary " past, and are incomprehensible and without significance save for that past. The horse-sacrifices of Pushyamitra in the second century B.C., of Adityasenain the seventh century A.D., link with the tradition of that of Sagara, uncounted millennia backward, and with that of Yudhishthira in 3000 B.C. odd — in each equally the. sign of the acknowledged Lord Paramount of India as a whole. So again with the Pafichayat, " the Five," whether the Council of A^illage Elders of time immemo- rial, or Chandragupta's Boards in the fourth century B.C. India is a continuum, and her Aryan civilisa- tion an unbroken whole. There are invasions and conquests, periods of strength and weakness, of unity and division, in her feonian story. But she is alwaj^s India ; always Aryan, the Mother Imperishable, who has borne uncounted millions from her womb, but whose own birth no historian can guess at, whose death no prophet can foretell. And this it is well to remember, in our judgments of to-day. AVith an IV HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM admitted history of nearly 5,000 years, from the commerce between India and Babylon, according to Dr. Sayce, in 3000 B.C.,^ and the proofs of high civilisa- tion and wealth then existing ; with an admitted literature of at least 7,000 years ; the period of English rule in India, barely a century and a half, is microscopically small, a tiny ripple on her ocean. Invasions How and ebb ; conquerors come and go ; India assimilates what is left of them, is the richer for them, and remains herself. She did without England for millewnia, and flourished amazingly; she could do without England for millennia to come ; but the two need each other, and will be the better for each other in the near future, and India desires to be linked with England in tliat future, but on a footing of perfect equality, and on nona other. INDIA'S MIDDLE HISTORY The Comixg of thk Aryans 'I'lirj were no wild tribes that crossed tlie Iliinala- yan i)asses and flooded India in successive waves of invasion from 18000 l?.C. onwards." They came from an archaic Middk; Asian civilisation, the cradle of the Aryas, whence came successively the immigrants who made the Mediterranean civilisatioif, colonised Persia and Mesopotamia, and sent the forefathers of the Latin, Slav and Teuton Nations to people Europe. Later, tbey came dowu into India, penetrated first to ' Uililicil Lrrturi'H, 1H87, (|UoH'tl in Indian Sliippiiiy, p. 80, Kd. 1912. * Tliis first jmrafjnii)h is nut " historiu "• HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION V the south — the Aryan Dravidians — and later settled in the north. But this is still the region of dreams, and no sober western historian will yet accept it. And yet per- haps this is hardly so, for Sir William Hunter, though he gives no dates, speaks of the Aryan home as in Central Asia, of settlements round the shores of the Mediter- ranean, of a western offshoot founding Persia, of another becoming the Greek Nation, Italy and Rome, Spain and Britain, and of others descending through the passes of the Himalayas into India. It is not without significance, as Professor Radha- kumud Mukerji points out in his Fundamental Unity of India, that India is one country in her religious literature. She is Jaiiibudvipa — Ashoka is called "King of Jambudvipa," and Bharatavarsha, Aryavarta; " India " is a name given by foreigners. In Hindu prayers, the names of the great rivers are recited, the northern only in the earlier, later the southern as well, as the Aryans spread southward. The sacred places range from Hard war to Kanchi, and later, Badari- kedarnath to Rameshvara, from Dvaraka to Jagannath. And the people, ever reciting these, knew them all as in their Motherland. Pilgrimages took the devout to all of these as Hindu. The student will find in that useful little book many more proofs that India was a unity, had,* even then, a National Self -consciousness in her religion. Patriotism was inspired and hallowed by these loving recitations. Despite the fact that " India's history only begins with Alexander," as western writers say, we submit in passing that, as above noted, Babylon was trading VI HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOH FREEDOM witli her in 3000 B.C. ; that Serairamis of Nineveh invaded India in 2034 B.C. and penetrated as far as Jammu, as stated on a column erected by her, and was finally put to flight by an Indian Prince, named Strabrobates by Diodorus Siculus; that mummies in Egyptian tombs, dating from 2000 B.C. have been found wrapped in Indian muslin of the finest quality, and that their indigo dye is said to have come from India ; that Diodorus Siculus tells of an invasion of India, 981 B.C., by Rameses II ; that Hiram of Tyre, 980 B.C. traded with India from harbours in the Arabian Gulf, and Tamil names for Indian products are found in the Hebrew Bible.^ There is plenty of evidence by such contacts, apart from Indian literature, of a civilisation rivalling at least those of Egypt and Assyria. In A.D. 883, the first Englishman whose visit to India is recorded, was Sighelmas, Bishop of Sherborne, sent l)y King Alfred (A.D. 849-901) to visit the Christian Church, named after S. Thomas. He travelled comfortably, and brought back to England " many splendid exotic gems and spices, such as that country l)l('ntifully yielded". '" " HisTOKv ■■ Begins For our purjwses we can arbitrarily begin at the period recognised as " historical " by the wider western ' Indian Shipping, p. 89, " Thi'80 facts and luany otliors of undoubted historicity, may be found HuininariHcd in the Manual of Aihninistralioi, of the Madras Prenidcnnj—n book containinf,' a vast aniouiit of inforination, with Bonie astounding lapsi-s of knowledge. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION Vll historians, the middle of the 7th century B. C, when we find, as said above, highly civilised communities — having existed there " for untold centuries," admits Vincent Smith — commerce with foreign countries going on, making India " historical," the knowledge of writing widely spread, and the country between the Himalayas and the Nerbudda river divided into sixteen States — some monarchical, some aristocratic-republican — with great stretches of forests, jungles, and unsettled lands interspersed among them. The beginning of the seventh century, A.D. 600, sees the first "historical" dynasty ruling over Magadha (Bihar). In the time of the Lord Buddha — a time of obviously high civilisation and much philosophical discussion (623 B.C. to 543 B.C. according to Sinhalese traditions, died 487 B.C. according to Vincent Smith) — Kosala (Oudh) and Magadha stand out prominently, Kosala being the premier State and having swallowed up Kashi (Benares), Very soon afterwards Magadha took the lead, including the territory from the Himalayas to the Cxanga, with Pataliputra (where Patna and Bankipur are now) as capital^ — the first capital of India in " historical " times, as we shall see later. Ajatashatru, its founder and the King of Magadha, was contemporary with Darius of Persia (521-485 B.C.), who annexed Sindh and part of the Panjab, and formed them into a Persian satrapy, interesting to us merely from the proof of the enormous wealth at that time of that part of India — impljang thereby high civilisation — for it paid an annual tribute in gold-dust equal to one million pounds sterling. Vlll now INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM We can pass on to the first " historical " P]mperor of India, Chandra Mori, or Chandragupta ; he came, according to the pauranic lists, from a braiich of the Pramaras, one of the thirty-six royal races, of the " line of the Sun," descended from King Ramachandra or one of his brothers ; the Pramaras were one of the four Agnikulas, " Fire Families," descended from his brother Bharata. Chandragupta was thefounderof the Maurya dynasty, and seized the throne of Magadha in 321 B.C. Six years before that date Alexander the Great had in- vaded what is now Afghanistan ; crossing the Hindu Khush, fighting his way to the Indus, and, crossing it about ]\Iai-ch, 826 B.C., he entered on Indian soil, " which no European traveller or invader," says Vincent Smith, " had ever before trodden " — a rash and mistaken statement. Alexander did not remain long; he advanced to and crossed the Jhelum, defeated I'oros, penetrated beyond Sialkot into Jannnu, and then, much against his will, forced by a nuitiny in his army, began his retreat in September of the same year, and quitted India Hnally about September, 325, and marched to Persia, reaching Susa in April-lMay, 324. His death in 323 put an end to his hopes, and young Chandragupta — belonging to the Magadha royal family, l)ut unfriendly to its head and in exile — gather- ed an army, attacked the Greeks left in "ihe Panjab and Sindli, drove them out and subdued the country. lie ihcii aiiackcd the King of Magadha, and seated liiniscH' on his throne, added to his troops till he gathei-ed an army of 090,000 men — infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants — swept everything before him HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION IX with amazing celerity, and finally established himself as Emperor ot" India, ruling from the Hindu Khush to the Nerbudda, from the Arabian Sea to the l^ay of Bengal. The Emperors of India The organisation of his Empire by this extraordinary man was as marvellous as his military capacity. Megasthenes, the Greek, lived for some time in Patali- putra, Chandragupta 's capital, observed closely his administration in all its details, and left his observa- tions on record; so we are on ground that cannot be challenged. Hunter sums up the views of Megas- thenes as follows : The Greek ambassador observed with admiration the absence of slavery in India, the chastity of the women, and the courag-e of the men. In valour they excelled all other Asiatics; they required no locks to their doors ; above all, no Indian was ever known to tell a lie. Sober and industrious, good farmers, and skilful artisans, they scarcely ever had recourse to a lawsuit, and lived peaceably under their native Chiefs. The kingly government is portra3^ed almost as described in the Code of Manu. Megasthenes mentions that India was divided into 118 kingdoms ; some of which, as the Prasii under Chandragupta, exercised suzerain powers. The village system is well described, each little rural unit seeming to the Greek an independent republic. Megasthenes remarked the exemp- tion of the husbandmen (Vaishyas) from war and public services; and enumerates the dyes, fibres, fabrics, and products (animal, vegetable, and mineral) of India. ^ Megasthenes tells how Chandragupta had established a War Office of 30 members, divided into six Boards each of five members — Panchayats : I. Admiralty, in ' Hunter's Brief Hintory of the Indian People, pp. 77, 78 (printed for the Madras Schools) 1881. Perhaps because intended tt) tench Indian boys, it is often unfair and prejudiced, e.g., in its account of the great Shivaji. X HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM touch with Admiral ; II. Transport, Commissariat, Army Service; III. Infantry ; IV. Cavah-y ; V. War- chariots; VI. Elephants. The civil administration was similar, and Megasthenes describes specially the Municipality of Pataliputra, consisting again of 30 members, divided into six Pafichayats : I. is specially interesting as showing the care — noticeable in the books describing " pre-historic " times — exercised by the State over Arts and Crafts; it supervised all industrial matters, materials, wages, etc. II. looked after foreigners, acting as Consuls, Vincent Smith remarks, and giving proof that the Empire " was in constant intercourse with foreign States ". III. was in charge of the registration of births and deaths, rigidly kept as a basis for taxation. IV. looked after trade, and kept the official weights and measures to which all must conform. X. supervised manufactures, and VI, collected the tax of a tithe of the value of all goods sold. The Municipality as a whole was responsible for markets, harbours, temples, etc. The Empire was divided into Provinces ruled by Viceroys, and officers travelled over the land, inspecting. It is noticed, as so often in later times, that the Indians bore the highest reputation for truth and hcmesty. Irrigation had its own Department, which regulated " the sluices by wliicli water is distributed into the branch canals, so that every one may enjuy his fair share of the benefit," says Megastiienes. A mass (jf details has been accumulated, and may be found in the Arf of iTOvernniPnt, ascribed to Chanakya, Chaiidragnpta's Brahmana minister, that has been translated. The Emperor died 297 B.C., and HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XI was succeeded by Bindusara, his son, and either the fathei" or son extended the Empire almost as far south as what is now Madras. He was followed by Ashoka, who added to the Empire the Kingdom of Kalinga on the Bay of Bengal, and he ruled for 40 years — 273 or 2 B.C. to 282 or 1 — from the Hindu Khush to Madras. The Andhra State (Andhradesha), between the Godaveri and the Kistna, had its own Raja, acknow- ledging Ashoka's overlordship, but the Pandya, Chola, Keralaputra and Satyaputra States, occupying the extreme south, were independent. Four Viceroys administered the north-western, eastern, western and southern Provinces, Ashoka himself administering the central. His wisdom, his jDower, his piety, his splendour, are they not written in his edicts, engraved on Rock and Pillar, and by these his Empire was ruled. Rock Edict II and Pillar Edict VII declare : On the roads I have had banyan trees planted to give shade to man and beast ; I have had groves of mango-trees planted : and at every half kos I have had wells dug : rest-houses have been erected ; and numerous watering-places have been prepared here and there for the enjoyment of man and beast. Care of the sick, distribution of drugs and herbs, hospitals for animals, were among his institutions. After his death, many Provinces broke away, until the sixth of his descendants, Brehidrita, or Brihadratha, was expelled from Magadha, 184 B.C., and seized Dhar and Chittoor in Mewar, Rajputana, where his descendants ruled till A.D. 730. But Vincent Smith says he was assassinated by Pushyamitra, the command- er of his army. The Mori Chiefs certainly reigned in Mewar, and the transfer as stated is probable. In any xii HOW INDIA WROUOnT FOR FREEDOM case, the Maurya dynasty in Magadha ended, and I^usliyaniitra founded a new dynasty, the Sunga. Moreover he finally celebrated the horse-sacrifice a few years before liis death, in 148 B.C., being acknow- ledged as Lord Paramount. His dynasty came to an end in 74 B.C., and was succeeded by the Kanva dynasty of four short-lived Kings, the last of whom perished in 27 B.C. at the hands of the ruler of the great Andhra Kingdom. The Kingdoms of India The unitj^ of India for the time had gone, as embodied in an Empire, and great Kingdoms arose and flourished. In the south the Andhra Nation (later the Telugu-speaking population), occupying the Deccan, which had acknowledged the overlordship of Ashoka, after his death became independent, in 220 B.C., extended its sway as far as Niisik, thus stretching across India, and coming into toncli with, and striving to hold, Grujerat and Kathiawar. From A.D. S^) — \'4S, the Andhras were constantly struggling on their western borders with invading foreigners, and ultimately Kathiawar, Sindh and Cutch passed from Andhra hands into those of the invaders. The Andhra kingdom lasti'd anothci- liuiKJrcd years, ending in A.D. 2:J0. South of the KistiKi was tlie 'laiiiil i-oiiutiy, divided into tour kiiif.;(lonis : I 'a iidya, in the south, with Madura as capital ; Cliola, with the river Pennar to the north and I'andya to the south; while Keralaputi-a lay between it and the western sea, the later Malabar; and HISTOBICAL INTRODUCTION Xlll Satyapiitra was a small State round the present Mangalore. The Tamil land was wealthy and civil- ised and inhabited by a great trading people. They exported pepper, pearls and beryls chieflj^, and did an immense ti'ade, especially with Egypt and Rome. We read of an embassy to congra- tulate Augustus Caesar in 20 B.C., mentioned by Strabo. The routes chiefly followed were those by the Persian (lulf and the Red Sea, the monsoon weather, May to August, being avoided by the merchants. In the 14th century, Marino Sanuta, a Venetian noble, said that goods of small bulk and high value — spices, pearls, gems — went to a Persian Grulf port, then up the Tigris to Bassorah, thence to Baghdad. More bulky goods went by the Red Sea, crossed the desert, and down the Nile to Alexandria. Dacca fabrics were favourite wear in Rome in the imperial Court. This Roman trade led to the establishment of Roman Colonies among the Tamils during the first and second centuries A. D. Roman coins circulated, and some bronze vessels from the West have been dug up intheNilgiris. Tamil literature grew abundantly during the first three centuries, and music, painting and sculpture flourished. The Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency, putting the events of the Rdmayaiia at 2000 B.C. '(an absurdly late date from the Hindu standpoint), notes that Rama met Agastya, the great Sage of South India ; and that Agastya had much in- fluence over an early Pandyan King, Kulashekara. For our purposes we may take the kingdom as it existed in 543 B.C., when Vijaya, from the Cangetic XIV HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM region, invaded Ceylon, and married a daughter of the reigning Pandyan King. Madura, the capital, was famous for its learning, and had a famous Sangha, or Collegium, an assembly of learned men, and among them Tiruvalluvar, the author of the famous poem, Kural.' The storj^ of the Pandyan Kingdom's struggles with Chola, and of its invasions of Ceylon, shows a powerful State ; and it continued, passing through many vicissitudes, down to 1731, when its last Hindu Monarch died, leaving a widow, Minakshi Ammal, who adopted a son, Imt was attacked and betrayed, and poisoned herself in Trichinopoly Fort — a Kingdom of more than 2,000 years within "historical" limits, ending in a tragedy in the frightful 18th century. The Chola Kingdom was, as we have seen, an inde- pendent State in the time of Ashoka, and like Pandya was actively commercial, sending its ships across the Bay of Bengal and tlie Indian Ocean eastwards, and internal commerce being afso carried on, goods from the east going to Kerala and Kerala sending Egyptian merchandise to Chola. Both the Chola and the IVndya kingdoms suffered much from the depredations of the Pallavas, thought by some to be an immigrating offshoot from the Parthian Pahlavas, who invaded nortli-west Tiidi;i. When Hiiicii 'I'sang in A.D. 640 visited Kiinchi, wlicre tlic I 'alhi v;is had' established ^ The date of the Kural is a matter of dispute. Mr. V. Kanaka- sabhai, in The Tnuiih l,8fX) years ago, jjuts it between A. n. 100 and lliO. Dr. K. Graul, wlio translated it into German, says between A. u. 2(X) and 800. The Rev. iMr. Pojje, who translated it into English, says A.I). 800 to 10(X). 'J'he EncyclopiPilia Britannica offers from the 9th or 10th century to the 13th. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XV themselves, he mentions the Chela people, just then in a depressed condition. The Pallavas had no fixed borders, but are said to have lived as a predatory tribe ; this seems scarcely likely, as they were powerful from the 4th to the 8th century A.D., but they were crushed, to the satisfaction of all, by a Chola Raja Aditya, between about 880 and 907. Then the Chola Kingdom grew and flourished exceedingly, until the beginning of the fourteenth century ; its capitals at different periods were Warriore, a suburb of Tri- chinopoly, Kumbhakonani andTanjore. It was crippled by the Muhammadan invasion of South India in 1310, and though the invaders were driven out again in 1347, Chola soon after disappears. Kerala occupied the western coast, comprising the present Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, trading chiefly with Egypt and Arabia. Its history has been largely recovered of late years, and teems with interest, most of it living unbrokenlj^ from its ancient past right down to the present day, under its own Princes. Owing to the constant communication with the West, Christ- ianity was early introduced into Kerala, some say in the first century A.D. by S. Thomas ; others, including Vincent Smith, in the sixth century from the Syrian Church. The matter is not important for us, as Christianitj? made no way outside Kerala, and is not a factor in India during her long and prosperous life. It came to her with European trading companies, and her loss of power and prosperity. In Northern India, owing to the powerful Kingdoms beyond the north-west frontier and also to raids and XVI now INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM imiin'oi-ations From China and Central Asia, the break up of the Mauryan Empire brought about disturbed conditions for many centuries; Bactria and l^arthia. ruled by Princes of Greek descent, became independent States, breaking the yoke of the Seleukidas in the middle of the third century B.C. ; they invaded the north-western districts from time to tin'.e, and much of the I'aiijab and the Indus valley was definitely under Greco- L'arthian rule (Indo- Parthian or Tudo-Greek), froui about 11)0 15. C". to A.D. 50, and these were finally crushed l)y the Kustans about A.D. 90. These invasions produced but little effect and wrought little destruction. It was other with hordes of nomad tribes, which swept down from the Central Asian steppes and China, destroying as they passed, from 170 B.C. onwards, some even reaching Ivathiawar, where they settled, founding a Saka dynasty, destroyed A.D. 390. Among these the Yiuli-(.lii trom China definitely established themselves, crushing out the Indo-Parthian kingdon), and establish- ing their own — the Kushan dynasty — under Kadi)liises I ami II, the latter sending an embassy to Rome to Trajan, about A.D. !>9, to announce his conquests. He I'uled the whole north-west of India, from Benares as easterumost pcjint, as well as Afghanistan to the lliiidu Khiish, ;iii(l liis successor added Kashmir. Tliis succcssoi', Kanishka (about A. D.'- 120— loO) is interesting for his famous Buddhist towei — 13 stfjreys high — his sijleiidid iimnastery for Buddhist (•(lucation still existing in the ninth century, the Biiildhist (•ouiicil call(Ml by him, at which Ashvaghosha was vice-president, held m Knshiiiii'. 'I'he dynasty HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XVll perished in the third century, about the same time as the Andlira Kingdom in the Deccan, so far as India was concerned, but Kushan Kings wei'e reigning in Kabul in the fifth centurj", when they were conquei^ed by the Huns. Another E:\ipire Another vast Empire rises out of tlie darkness of seventy years Avhich cover's northern India from historical eyes, from the disappearance of the Kushan Kingdom, about A, D. 240, until A.D. 308, when Chandra- gupta, a Prince reigning in Pataliputra, weds a Lich- chavi Princess, Kumari Devi, and the royal pair, between them, come to rule a Kingdom comprising Bihar, Oudh, Tirhut, and some adjacent lands, Chandragupta I became " Mahriraja of Mahrirajas," and started an era, the Gupta era, from February 26, A. D. 320. To him was born a son, Samudragupta, who ruled from 326 to about 375, and built a new Empire. He subdued all the Chiefs of the Gangetic plain and then those of the centre, then invaded the south, going by the east coast and returning by the west, but invad- ing and gathering huge spoils, not holding, the southern States ; he incorporated in his Empire half Bengal — from the Hooghly westwards, and all the country right across India including Gujerat, with the Nerbudda foi- southern boundary, the Central and United Provinces, much of Panjab, with almost all the rest of it and north Rajputana as a Protectorate, and many outlying States and the South acknowledged him as Overlord; he finallj^ performed the horse-sacrihce XVlll HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM as Lord Paramount of India, probably about A. D. 340. He died about 375. His son and successor was Chandragupta IT, sometimes called Chandragupta- Vikramaditya. He must not be confused with the ruler of the same name, whose era, called also Samvat, began 56 B. C, the Vikramaditya at whose Court was the famous poet-minister, Bhattumurti. He added to the Empire Malwa and Surashtra, abolished the Saka dynasty in the latter, and died in A. D. 413. Fa-Hien, the Chinese traveller who visited India at the beginning of the 5th century, spent six years in the Empire, during three of which he studied Samskrit in one of the large Buddhist monasteries at Pataliputra. He speaks with intense admiration of the wealth, prosperity, virtue, and happiness of the people, and the great liberty they enjoyed. "Those who want to go away may go; those who want to stop may stop." Most offences were punished by fines, and there was no capital punish- ment, and no judicial torture. Repeated rebellion, however, was punished by cutting oft' the right hand, " but such a penalty was exceptional ". The roads wore safe, for in all his travels Fa-Hien was not once attacked by robbers. " They do not keep pigs or fowls, there are no dealings in cattle, no butchers' shops, or distilleries." " No one kills any living thing, or drinks wine, or eats onions or garlic." Charitable in- stitutions were numerous, rest-houses were kept on the roads. In the capital was a free hospital, supported by the voli;ntar3^ c(jntributions of the rich. Fa-Hien says : HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XIX Hither come all poor or helpless patients suffering from all kinds of infirmities. They are well taken care of, and a doctor attends them ; food and medicine being sujaplied according to their wants. Thus they are made quite comfortable, and when they are well they may go away. (The first hospital in Europe was the Maison Dieu in Paris, in the seventh century.) It is worthy of notice that the King was a Hindu, and Fa-Hien a Buddhist, so he was the less likely to praise overmuch. Some think that the last recension of the great Puranas and of the legal Institutes was made at this time. Sure it is that Samskrit was sedulously honour- ed, while art prospered, and architecture became ornate and splendid. Chandragvipta's son, Kumaragupta I, succeeded in A.D. 413 and Vincent Smith thinks he must have added to the Empire, as he celebrated the horse-sacrifice ; he died in 455, leaving his son and successor Skandagupta to bear the burden of Empire, and to face the oncoming Huns. He defeated them at the beginning of his reign, if not as Yuvaraja (Crown Prince), but they returned about 470 and pressed him hardly, and when he died ten years later, the Empire died with him, though his lialf- brother succeeded to the throne and reigned in Magadha, its centre, the family continuing there till A.D. 720; while other members of the Gupta family ruled other portions, and a descendant of it was the grandmother of Harsha of Thanesar, in the Panjab, who became famous. The fall of the Empire was due to the appearance of the Huns, who invaded India and Europe in two mighty streams, crushing Persia, and over-running the XX HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM civilised workl. Their powei* was broken bj?^ the Turks, in the middle of the sixth century, after thej' had devastated both Europe and Northern India. Harsha, who came to the throne in a.d. 606 restored and somewhat enlarged on the east the Gupta Empire, but it was less in Rajputana. His rule was much approved by Hiuen Tsang, who visited India 630 and 644, but it (lid not I'eacli the level of the Gupta admini- stration. After many years of War, Harsha was more oi- less attracted to Buddhism by Hiuen Tsang, and was fond of religious debates, a fondness shared by his widowed sister, who attended them with him and was a most learned lady. He died in A.D. 648. After his death, Adityasena of the Gupta dynasty performed the horse- sacrifice, ft>r no very definite reason known to history ; there is no record of any later performance thereof. Sixty-four years after Harslui's death, in A.D. 710-11, the Ai'iiljs From Bassorah — who had conquered Mukurani (Ualuchistan) and were settled there bj?^ A.D. 644 — under Muhuiiimad \*cn Knsiiii, crossed the Indus, overran Siiidli, wliicli Wits lifld by Musalmans thereafter, and aiKaiiced into Kiijputana. Young Bappa, a lad of 15, a Mori of Chittoor, led an army against them and defeated them, but the Crescent of Islam had risen over India's Ik.imzoii, a New Era had begun. Before passing on into the Muhammadan invasions, it is well to pause at this point for a moment, for western historians luive failed to note the general prosperity and happiness of the Indian populations, .save where such incursions as the nomads and Hnns temporarily i-avaged a part of the country. They have HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXI glanced lightly over the wealth, the trade, the happiness of the masses of the people, during an acknowledged period, from Semiramis to Muhammad Ghoi-i, of 3,000 years — to say nothing of the '' untold centuries " beyond — and have fixed their gaze on the local wars, ignoring the vast accumulation of wealth, Avhich proved that the industrial life and prosperity of the people went steadily on, unaffected by temporary and local disturb- ances, in a huge stream of content and progress. If this be compared with the state of Germany before the Peasants' War, with the state of France before the great Revolution, western nations may begin to realise that eastern nations may have something to say for themselves, and that the " blessings" of foreign occupation are not fully recognised in India. A very striking illustration of this was the seventy- five days' festival of Harsha, in A.D. 644, held at the con- fluence of the Ganga and Jumna at Prayag (Allahabad) , at which Hiuen Tsang was present. Harsha had held such a festival every five years for thirty yeai's, " in accordance with the custom of his ancestors," to distri- bute among ascetics, religious orders and the poor, the accuDndationH of ivealth of the 'precediiig fire years. About half a million of people assembled, gifts were distributed on the first three days in the name of the Buddha, the iSun, and Shiva ; on the fourth day, to 10,000 Buddhist monks, who each received 100 gold coins, a pearl and a cotton garment; then, for twenty days, gifts to Brahmanas, for ten days to " heretics " ; for a month to the poor, destitute and orphans. Harsha gave everything, except horses, elephants and army XXI 1 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOB FREEDOM equipments, down to his personal jewels. And this was done every five years. The great festival is still held every twelfth year, but there is no King Harsha, and no distribution of gifts. Nor, if there were such a -Monarch, could the country support such quin- quennial accumulations. Only a huge and well-to-do manual labour class could have rendered possible the great trading, manufacturing and commercial classes, who existed at the coming of the East India Company ; history confirms these facts. The Emperors, Kings and Chiefs were enormously wealthy because they ruled a wealthy people, and nurtured their prosperity. When Sir William Hunter wrote, "40,000,000 of the people never had a full meal," and a larger number are in that condition to-day. So long as the wars were internecine, between Hindu Kingdoms, the caste system confined the fight- ing to the Kshattriya (military) order; the universal Pafichayats of the village organisation carried on smoothly the all-important village life, and Hiuen Tsang notes that villagers quietly went on with their agricul- tm-al work while a battle was proceeding close by ; it was the policy of the contend ing Chiefs to safeguard the peasantry, on whose labour depended the prosperity of the land they lioped to rule. Only raiders like the Huns d(;vastated, and their devastations were local. How jnuch the ordinary life runs on with little change may be judged Ity comparing life in Malabar to-day with Marco Polo's description of what he observed in the same district, then Kerala, in A.D. 1292. He said that the people wear but one cloth. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXUl Women burn themselves with their dead husbands. Many worship the cow. They rub their houses with cow-dung and sit on the ground. They chew " tembal " (Persian for "betel"). Cail (Canyal in Tinnevelly) is a great and noble city where touch all ships from the west. Coilum (Quilon) produces ginger, pepper and fine indigo. No corn is grown, only rice. Grozurat (Gujarat) produces pepper, ginger, indigo and cotton, and manufactures beautiful mats. Tannah (near Bombay) exports leather, buckram and cotton, and imports gold, silver, copper and other articles. Fine buckrams seem to have been very largely ex- ported. Other travellers in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries give similar testimony. India's trade for thousands of years was enormous, and Pliny the Elder in his Natural History (about A.D. 77) ^ complains that the annual drain of gold from the Roman Empire to India, Arabia, and China, was never less than 100,000,000 sestercia, " giving back her own wares in exchange, which are sold at fully one hundred times their prime cost". " Tiiat is what our luxuries and women cost us," says he sardonically. '^ Islam in India A new element now enters into Indian history, an element which is still only in process of assimilation, ^ Edition Mayhoff, Leipzig, 1906, Bk. VI, p. 101. The readings vary, some giving 500 x 100,000=50,000,000, others 55,000,000, as adopted in the Imperial Gazetteer. ^ The Imperial Gazetteer of the Indian Empire allots 55,000,000 of this 100,000,000 to India, from another reading, and reckons this at £458,000. This calculation again is vitiated by the fact that the value of the sestercium varied from 2*1 to 'Z'-l pence. XXIV HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOB FREEDOM which caused inevitably disturbance and much evil feeling on both sides, but brought to the building of the Indian Nation most precious materials, enriching the Nationality and adding new aspects to its many- faced splendour. As " Saxon and Norman and Dane," to say nothing of other elements, are the English, and as f]nglish and Scotch and Irish are forming one Kingdom, the Irish, after eight hundred years, yet unassimilated, so in India, Indians, Persians (Parsis) and Musalinfins are not yet wholly one Nation, though becoming one with gi-eat rapidity. We must now, as roughly as before, trace the outline of this Midiammadan entrance into and iixation in India, up to this time a Hindu Nation. We have seen that the Arabs invaded and conquered Sindh early in the eighth century, and were thrown back from Rajputana by Bappa. Rajputana was a congeries of States, each with its own Chief, war- loving, chivalrous, and quarrelling constantly with each other — a poor barrier, therefore, against warrioi's of a faith resting on one Prophet, one book and a sword consecrated to both. The \vhole storj^ is one of heroic, incredible valour, rendered futile by cease- less dissensions, whicli UmI to angry alliances with the conniion f(je -against the estranged brother! A Kingdom ('((inijrising the greater part of the l':iii.|:il> :hhI the upper Indus was the first, after the RajpiiL i-epulse, to face the Muslims, when Sabuktinin, Sultan of (Jhazni, Afghanistan, invaded India in A.U. 980, and after some battles established himself in HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXV Peshawar. His son, Muhammad, raided Indian terri- tory seventeen times between A.D. 1001 and 1024, starting in October on a three months' march into the interior, and returning when he had satisfied himself with phmder, but holding Lahore strongly from 1021. He died A.D. 1030. Five centuries followed of incessant struggle, hi the Empire, broken into pieces, each fragment had its Chief, fighting his neighbour. The rule of the Huns seemed to have bred divisions. As the robber Barons fought in Europe, after the breaking up of the Constantinople Empire, so the clans and their Chiefs fought in India. The in- vaders naturally took advantage of it, siding with either party, the weaker for prefei'ence, to destroy that weaker when the stronger was crushed. Rajput Chiefs, both in Rajputana and Panjab, battled un- ceasingly against each other, and alas, with Muslims against Rajputs, with varied fortunes; Prithviraj succeeded to the gadi of Delhi in A.D. 1164, rolled back the Musalmans, broken, on Lahore, but fought his last battle in 1193, the flower of Rajput chivalry around him but some Rajputs against him, fought until the dead lay in swathes on the field, 13,000 of them " asleep, on the banks of the Ghuggur " ; and he, the darling of the bards, seeking death, alas, in vain, wAs caught under his fallen horse, was taken prisoner, answered a taunt from his capturers with a bitter jest, and was stabbed ; the Hindu throne of Delhi was empty. The Pathan seated himself thereon, ruled, and set up other kingdoms in India, and fought, conquered and was conquered ; and so fierce XXVI HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM battles I'aged up and down tlte northern lands, with inroads from Afghanistan, and rival Muhammadan Chiefs and changes, Pathans, Tartars, Mughals, until Babar and his Turks and Mughals came in 1519, and 1520, and 1524, and finally fought the battle of Panipat against Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, the Pathan, in 1526, and was proclaimed Emperor of India at Delhi, the first of the " great Moguls ". But we must turn aside for a moment, and run backwards to take a bird's eye-view of the south, where later, Musalman and Hindu fought for rule, until the Maratha Power rose to dominance. The Andhra Kingdom had disappeared, we know, about A.D. 230, and the great table-land of the Deccan, south of the Ner- budda, becomes again the scene of pregnant history, when the Chief of the Chalukyas, or Solankis, a Rajput Agnikula clan, conquered the Deccan and built a King- dom about A.]). 550, and reigned in Vatapi, in the Bijapur District, gloriously and well. In a century the dj^iasty had grown strong and famous, and exchanged embassies with Khusru II of Persia — as shoAvn in a fresco in an Ajanta cave. Many fights with Pallavas and others need not detain us ; enough that the Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan and Maharashtra continued to A.D. 1190; just before the i 'a than, Muhanniiad (jhui-i, seated iiiniseU' on Delhi throne. A hundred years later, in 1294, tiie Sultan Ahi-iid-din, aftei- the sack of Chittoor, invaded the Deccan, and crushed tlieGadavas who had succeeded the Clialukyas, and took as ransom six maunds of pearls, two maunds of diamonds and other gems. (A niaund=82 lb. avoirdupois.) In ^809 came the HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXVll invasion of his lieutenant Malik Kafur, who overran tlie south, right down to Ranieshvara, where he built a Mosque, and then returned whence he came ; and in 1336, south of the Krishna and west of the Tunga- bhadra river, dividing it from the Chola Kingdom, rose the great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar, that held its own for two centuries of pride, despite the growing power of the Muslims. Babar, we resume, of Turki race, descendant of Tamer- lane, sat enthroned in Delhi, the founder of the splendid Mughal dynasty. Two years after Panipat, a great battle was fought at Fatehpur Sikri between the new Emperor and the Rajputs, and he conquered, only to die four years later, in 1530. Then Humayun, his son, became Emperor, but was driven out by a Pathan Chief, and lied to Kandahar in 1543, coming back in 1555 ; for his twelve-year old son, Akbar, conquered the Pathan, and re-opened to his father the gates of Delhi. Akbar succeeded to the throne in 1556, to be India's greatest Muhammadan Emperor ; perhaps the only serious stain upon his name — and he was then only fourteen years old — is the sack of Chittoor in 1557. So great was he, so tolerant, that he welded together Hindu and Musalman ; Hindu Princesses were the mothers of the Emperors Jehangir (Salim) and Shah Jahan; Rajputs were generals in his army, and minis- ters in his State ; the Rajput Man Sinha was his greatest general, Raja Toda Mall his greatest minister. Akbar's dream was a United India, and he renewed the Empire of Chandragupta Maurya, though some Rajput States defied him to the end. He " laid down the principle XXVIII HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOK FREEDOM that men of all faiths were to be treated alike by the law ; he had opened all posts of authority to men of ability, without restriction of creed ; he had abolished the slavery of captives, the capitation tax on non- Musalnicins, and the tax on Hindu pilgrims. He forbade the forcing of a widow to burn herself on her husband's funeral pyre, sanctioned widow re-marriage, forbade child-marriage, and the killing of animals for sacrifice." He also laid down a land-s^^stem which caused great content. Three classes of land were made, according to fertility. The value of the produce was decided by an average of nineteen years. The Orovernment took one-third, for land revenue and support of militia, amounting to 22 millions sterling a year, the land-tax bringing in from 16| to 17| millions ; all other taxes were abolished. A settlement was made every ten years. The Emi:>eror Jehangir, succeeding to the throne in 1605, did naught to strengthen his father's work, but he did one thing pregnant with ruin for his house. In 1618, lie gave permission to the English to trade in his dominions, and factories were established in Surat, Cambay, (lOgo and Ahmedabad. Two years later Sir Thomas Roe came to him as ambassador from James I. His land-tax amounted to 17^ millions. Shah Jahan, 1627-1658, under whom, by new con- quests, the land-tax came to 22 millions, continued his grandfather's policj'^; and had others followed in the steps of these twain, there had been no Hindu- Musalmjin question in modern India. But Aurungzeb, the destroyer, succeeded, and his persecutions and his cruelties drove his subjects into rebellion, " At last HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION Xxix rev^olts l)roke out on every side, his sons rebelled, debts accumulated, disorders of every kind arose, and in 1706 lie died, alone and miserable, amid the ruins of the Empire he had shattered. With his accession the hope of a United India vanished, and at his death the work of Akbar was destroyed." Materially his wealth was immense ; his conquests added again to the land revenue, and raised it to 38 millions sterling. A hundred years later it was still £34,506,640, In the year of Shah Jahan's accession to the Imperial throne was born a child destined to lead in the shaking of the Mughal Power ; it was Shivaji, '' crowned in Raigad in 1674, as the Hindu Emperor, and the Maratha Kingdom of the South faced the Mughal Kingdom of the North ".^ The State of the People During these centuries of war, raids and forays, what was the condition of the people of northern India ? The answer comes from the travellers who observed it, from the merchants who struggled and intrigued for the right to exploit it. They were bitterly prejudiced and speak of "heathen" and " heathen customs," but they drove good bargains and bought, bought largely, to sell again at huge profits, and die in Europe, wealthy from their trading. Bernier, in his letter to Colbert, . complains, even more vigorously than Pliny, seventeen centuries before, that " this Hindustan is an abyss into Avhich a great ^ The extracts are from Children vf the Motherland, pp. 143, 145, 165. XXX HOW INDIA Wrought for freedom part of the gold and silver of the world finds plenty of ways of going in from all sides, and hardly one way out ". After a vivid description of the military strength of the great Mughal, he speaks of his immense treasures, gold and silver and jewellery, " a prodigious quantity of pearls and precious stones of all sorts . . . one throne is all covered with them ". Woman wear rings and anklets, chains, ear-rings and nose-rings ; most of all he marvels over the incredible quantity of manufactured goods, " embroideries, streak- ed silks, tufts of gold for turbans, silver and gold cloth, brocades, network of gold " — he is evidently dazed. He can hardly find words to describe the l^hnperor, with his golden turban, and his spray of diamonds, and a matchless topaz that shone like a little sun, and his huge collar of rows of pearls down to his waist, and so on and on for pages. Tavernier describes him on similar lines, with his seven thrones, and the marvel- lous peacock throne, with the natural colours of the peacock's tail worked out in jewels, valued by him at 6^ millions sterling; he gives veiy full descriptions of the manufactured goods. Kasembasar, " a village in the kingdom of Bengal," exported yearly 22,000 bales of silk, weighing "2,200,000 pounds, at 16 oz. to the pound ". Carpets of silk tind gold, satins with streaks of gold and silver, endless lists of exquisite works, of minute carvings, and other choice objets d'art. 1^he facts speak for themselves. It was this enormous wealth that di-ew Europeans to come hither to "shake the |)}igii(la tree " ; the stories carried back by success- ful shakers, drew othens to the golden land. This was HISTOEICAL INTEODUCTION XXXI the country of which Phillimore wrote in the middle of the 18th century, that " the droppings of her soil fed distant Nations ". To share in this incredible wealth, the first English factories were established on the western coast. The pi'oof of India's prosperity under Indian rule, Musalman as well as Hindu, lies in India's wealth. The wars scratched the country here and there, now and then ; the peasants, artisans, traders, wrought in- dustriously everywhere, alwaj^s. The invading raiders laid all waste, and travellers come across such scenes and describe them, as though they pictured the normal state of the country. T^hey carried away enormous wealth, but the pi'oducers remained and piled it up again. But when the Musalmans settled down as rulers, their own prosperity depended on that of the people and they took with discrimina- tion. Firoze of the Toghlak dynasty (a.D. 1351—1388), like Hindu Rulers before him, constructed great irrigation works, canals, etc. It was this care for irrigation, characteinstic of Indian Rulers, which gave such marvellous fertility to the soil through the centuries- Ever the immense foreign trade went on, enriching the land, and they exported luxuries and surplus, never the food wanted to feed the people ; that remained from the fat years against the lean. A disadvantage of the swift communication between Britain and India now is that the rulers no longer come to stay ; but, under the decencies of inodern ways, gather wealth like the old raiders, and like them carry it abroad for enjoyment. XXXll HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR PREEDOM The Maratha Confederacy The Hon. Mr. Justice Ranade, in his small volume on the Rise of the Maratha Power, has done more than any other writer to point out the significance of the Maratha story in the long history of India, and to make the reader feel its inspiration and its teaching. AVhile Delhi was the seat of Mughal Power, the MusalnuTns in the Deccan had made themselves inde- pendent of it in A.D. 1347, and had chosen xA^la-ud-din Hasan as King, who founded the Bahamani kingdom, which broke up from 1484 to 1572 into the five king- doms of Berar, Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Bidar and Golconda, whose quarrels with the Delhi Empire facilitated the breaking up of the Musalma.n domina- tion. The rise of the ^faratha Power Avas preceded by a great Hindu Pevival, Tukaram, Veman Pandit, Eknath and Ramdas, the Guru of Shivaji, were its inspiration. Shivaji himself was a M5^stic, materialised into a man of action. His aim was the building of a Nation ; his means patriotism and union. His spirit, his aim, his means, are the spirit, the aim, the means of the National party in India to-day ; a Hindu Revival pi-eceded the modern National movement ; its one aim is India, a Nation ; its fervent patriotism and its sti'iviiig after union are its means to success. Where it differs from its forerunner is that instead of fighting against the ^^usalmans it welcomes them as a part of the Nation, instead of using the sword, it uses as weapons, education, the platform and the pen. Sliivaji's careful organisation of the (xovernment recalls the work of Ciiandragupta-Maurya. First HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXXlll came the Peshwa, or Prime Minister; then the Minister of War (Senapati — Army Lord) ; the Min- ister of Finance (Amatya) ; the Accountant-Gen eral (Pant Sachiv) ; the Private Secretary (Mantri) ; the Foreign Secretary (Sumant) ; the Minister of Religion (Panditrao) ; the Chief Justice. But it was Shivaji himself who created the new Maharash- tra, and made the men, who, after his death, broke the Mughal power. The building up of his great Kingdom from Surat in the north to Hubli in the South, from the sea on the west to Berar, Golconda and Bijapur on the east, his coronation at Raipur in 1674 as Padshaha, his recognition by the rulers of Crolconda and Bijapur as Suzerain by the paying of tribute, his death in 1680 — all this may be read at leisure. He died, but he had " created a Nation," and when Aurungzeb came in 1682 to crush the Marathas and the Musalman Kingdoms, although he with his huge army carried everything before him, Shivaji's younger son, Rajaram, rallied the Maratha leaders round him, and began the great twenty-years' AVar of Independence ; at his death his nephew Shaku succeeded him and the War went on, till in 1705 a treaty was made, though not kept ; Aurungzeb died two years later, broken-hearted, after a war of 25 years, which ended in failure. Shaku was crowned, regaining his grandfather's realm. Thus Svaraj, " own-rule, " was gained, and, after a period of quarrelling and unrest, Balaji Vishvanath became the Peshwii of the Maratha Kingdom, and is called in Hunter's history and even in Ranade's, the First XXXIV HOW IXDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Peshwa. He it was wlio bound together the great Maratha Chiefs, built uj) the Confederacy that last- ed for a hundred years, that broke the Mughal Empire, and practically ruled India. Balaji march- ed to Delhi in 1718, and in the next year com- pelled the Emperor to recognise the right of Shaku to a quarter and a tenth of the land revenue of the Deccan (the chouth and sardeshmukti), and when he was succeeded in 1720 by his son, Baji Rao, he left the Confederacy so strong that it was able to extend its power gradually under the second and third Peshwas from (xujerat and Kathiawar to Bengal and Orissa, from Delhi to Maharashtra. The Peshwfi at Poona represented the centre of the great Confederacy ; the Bhonsla General was at Nagpur ; Holkar was at Indore; Scindia at (xwalior ; the Gaekwar at Baroda. These five represented the five Maratha Branches, each with its Chief. The great defeat of the ^larathas at Panipat, fighting against the Afghans, threw them back from the extreme north, but they regained their power there, and held the Delhi Emperor as their puppet in 1803. In fact the Marathas ruled India, save where a new Power was making its way, a Power against which they broke, as the power of the Musalmans had bi-oken against them. It was tliat of (irctit ib-itain. TiiK BiJiTJsii IN India Long and strange was the struggle loi- European Empire in India fnjin the days when the^ Mughal Empire was in the heights of its splendour, through the HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXXV Maratha Empire, until the final triumph of the British. Portuguese, Dutch, French, British— such the succes- sion of tlie foreign ventures, with a gleam of Denmark in 1620; of the German Empire headed by Austria, the " Ostend Company" in 1722; of Prussia, the Emden Company in 1744 — ghosts flitting across the Indian stage. They were all seeking for trade. It was a traders' war when thej' fought ; the soldiers were mostly adventur- ers ; European Governments looked on complacently and helped with a few soldiers now and then. But the flag followed ti-ade, not trade the flag. And the fight- ing was traders' fighting rather than that of soldiers, not careful of honour, nor treaty, but only of gain. Bold unscrupulous adventurers, they were for the most part, the " bad boys " of the family, like Clive. Punch wrote a fearful epitaph on " John Company " and his crimes, after the Sepoy War, and when the Crown took over the Empire the Company had made, it marked the New Era with the noble proclamation of Queen Victoria, the Magna Carta of India. But the making of that Empire by the adventurers is a wonder- ful story of courage, craft, unscrupulousness — were they not dealing with " heathen " ? — ability rising to genius, as in Clive, and great administrators after great soldiers. At the beginning conquest was not thought of, no one rnade any pretence that he was here for "the good of India". Quite frankly, it was the immense wealth of India that lured them, wealth to be carried "home" for enjoyment; the "white man's burden " was golden. The breaking up of the Mughal Empire and the quari-els of Viceroys who became XXXVl HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Kings, of Generals who became Chiefs, these gave the opportunity. Britain succeeded, because she was the Power that held in her the most fertile seed of free institutions, because she was on the eve of establishing dcinocratic Government on her own soil on the sarest basis, so that while she might enthrall for a time, ultimate freedom under her rule was inevitable. France had behind her then only the traditions of tyranny ; the Bourbons ruled and rioted. India needed for her future a steady pressure, that would weld her into one Nation on a modern basis, that she might become a Free Nation among the Free. The High Powers that guide the destinies of Nations saw Britain as fittest for this intermediate and disciplinary stage. Early in the sixteenth century the Portuguese formed trading settlements on the western coast in Calicut and Goa. Farly in the seventeenth century, the Dutch traded on the eastern coasts, established very many factories, but finally settled down, after many vicissitudes, struggles and battles, in Java, etc., " the Dutch Indies ". France began to nibble in 1537, and established her lirst factories in Surat and Gol- conda in 1668, and in 1672 bought the site of Pondi- cherry ; she made a great bid for an Indian Empire in the eighteeiiili (•cntui-y througli the genius of Dupleix chieily, and failed. * Denmark was stirred to rivalry in 1612, and made ail l^ast India ("i»inpany, but never was strong enough for the l']mpire ganu'. Slu; began by a shipwreck (Ui the Tanjore coast in 1620, 'the survivors from the shipwreck, except the Captain, Roelant Crape, being HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION XXX Vll murdered. The Raja of Tanjore gave him permission to settle at Tranquebar. The settlement was never impoi'tant, but it started the Protestant missionaries in India in 1706, and Sohwarz (1750-1798) founded the missions in Trichinopoly, Tanjore, and Tinnevelly, still the strongest missionary centres in India. England bought the settlement finally in 1845, with Balasore, and with another missionary settlement in Serampnr, Bengal. In 1847, the Tranquebar mission was handed over to the Lutherans. From the 18th century onwards all the missionary Nations — Grerman, American, French, Italian, Swiss — have freely estab- lished their missions in India, im'perla in imperio, a dangerous policy, a menace to British rule, and a running annoyance and irritation to Indians. Britain began humbly. On December 31, 1600, Elisabeth chartered " The Governor aiid Company of Merchants of London trading in the East Indies " for exclusive trading there — at that time no trading- having been done — and they fitted out some ships, one, under Captain Hawkins, reaching Surat, on the West Coast, in 1606. In 1611, a Captain Hippon, on his own account, set up a little trading establishment on the East Coast at Pettapoli, and another at Masulipatam. In 1613, the Emperor Shah Jahan gave duly written permission for setting up factories at Surat and Cambay, (logo and Ahmedabad, and in 1616 the Zamorin of Calicut allowed a factory to be set up in his capital city. Thus was a footing made on the West Coast, and Surat became a Presidency Town in the time of Cromwell (1653), and moved its D XXXVm HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Goveniiueiit in 1061 to the island of Bombay, given by Portugal as a kind of wedding gift, when Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. Meanwhile the East Coast was factorised, and in 1626, a factory was established at Argeman, 70 miles north of Madras, with a fort to protect it. Factory, fort, town, " necessary " extensions— so it went thence- foi'th, all natural and inevitable. In 1634, Shah Jahan allowed another trading centre, at Pipli, in Bengal, and in the next year, Charles I issued another charter. But Argeman was not convenient, and the kind Raja (li Chandragiri, descendant of the royal house of \ ijayanagar, in 1639, gives Mr. Day permission to have a factory at Chennaputnam, with land one mile Inroad and six miles along the shore, and he generouslj' builds them a fort to protect it, Fort S. George. And Day builds a wall round the fort, on the island made by the two branches of the Coum River, 400 yards long and 100 wide, and allows only white people to live inside his wall, any Nation, if only white — White 'l\)\vii ; and outside it an Indian town grows up — iJlack Town. And these twain are Madraspatam — .\Jadi-as. In loOl, it had a garrison of 26 men. Its official records begin from 1670. Cromwell lets the two companies of Fjlisabeth and Charles 1 amalgamate, and makes Fort 8. George a Presidency, iii IQo'S, with authority over the Bengal factories. In 16!K), Job Charnock sets up a factory in Calcutta, tlKMigli ti-ading privileges were not granted to the I'lngh'sli in Bengal until l)etween 1713 and 1719 bj'^ the Mii^liiil I'iiiipciiii- Pirokslici-c, and hnilds a fort ; so we HISTOHICAL INTHODIIC'TION XXXIX have three big foi'ts ere tlie end of tlie first quarter of the 18th century — Bombay, Madras, (Calcutta, a Fort S. David also, a mile from Cuddalore ; in 1686, Sir John Child, at Bombay, makes the ominous announce- ment, that thenceforth if the '' natives " — the owners of the country — attack, he Avill retaliate. Until then, they had been yielding and submissive, as became foreign traders. In 1702, various Companies having arisen in England, who all quarrelled bitterly, it was thought well to amalgamate them, and so present a solid front; and amalgamated they were, as the United East India Company, in 1702. The position was a most peculiar one. Here was a Company, to all intents and purposes independent ; it was ruled by a Board of Directors in London ; it chose its own agents, it made its own armies ; after a time it appointed a (lovernor, then a Governor-General ; it applied for Charters, for Courts of Justice, and got them — with subsequent horrors related by Macaulay. There was no effective control over its proceedings, although Parliament interfered for the first time in 1773, and a Board of Control was established in 1784, and the Court of Directors placed under it — a clumsy dual arrangement, making no real difference. The one useful thing was the renewal of the Charter, preceded by an enquiry, which at least revealed the state of things — and terrible are the records. When things became too outrageous. Parliament interfer- ed, as in the impeachment of Wai'ren Hastings ; but, for the most part, Britain was far too busy with her own troubles, her loss of her American Colonies, her xl HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Napoleonic Wars, the struggles of her rising Demo- cracy, the miserable condition of her people, her Chartists, her agricultural riots, and the rest, to trouble much about what a trading Company was doing in far-away heathen India ; the Company made treaties and broke them, or forged them, if more con- venient; it cheated, robbed, murdered, oppressed, and — built au Empire in about a century. Clive was the first Governor under the East India Company in 1758 ; Earl Canning the last in 1856. The Company ended in the Sepoy War of 1857, and the Crown assumed the sovereignty in 1858. The policy of the Company was shrewd and effect- ive. The Indian rulers borrowed European offi- cers to dj'ill their soldiers, borrowed European soldiers too. Presently, if French officers and men were with one Chief, English officers and men were with the rival. Uupleix had allied him- .self with one claimant to the throne of the dead Nizam of the Deccan ; the English tlierefore were with the Nawab of the Carnatic, who had an eye to a possible chance. Princes, Kiiglish and French all tried to use each other — the Princes to play off English against French, the English and French severally to use opposing Princes against each other. It is a sorry story (jf intrigue, of utter disregard of honour and good faith on all sides. Dupleix, that French genius, master of the military art and of unscrupulous statecraft, wjis can-ying nil before him and carving out a French 10mi)ire in Southern India, when Robert Clive, a writer in the service of the Company, who was HISTORICAL INTEODUCTION xli also a captain for the nonce, offered a bold plan of attack, and was bidden carry it out; marched rapidly to Arcot (1751) with 200 English and 300 sepoys, seized it, held it against all comers, struck here, struck there, won everywhere, and laid the first stone of the British Empire in India. The French hopes in the South w^ere finally destroyed by the victory of Colonel Coote at Wandiwash in 1760. After a visit to England, the Directors made Clive Governor of Fort S. David, and he returned to India in 1755 for five marvellous years of glory and shame. Trouble in Bengal, where Siraj-ud-daula was Viceroy for Delhi, and had attacked and captured Fort William ; he thrust his 146 captives, for the night into the Fort military gaol, the " Black Hole," a room 18 feet square with two small windows, and, says the Imperial Gazetteer, " although the Nawab does not seem to have been aware of the consequences, it meant death to a huddled mass of English prisoners in the stifling heat of June" (ii, 474). Only 23 survived that night of agony. Clive started for Calcutta, managed, despite the Black Hole, to persuade the Nawab that he was a friend — " I will . . . stand by him as long as I have a man left," wrote he — seduced by bribery some of the Nawab's officers, forged a treaty, and Admiral Watson's signature thereto, to deceive Omichand, himself a traitor, defeated his dear friend the Nawab at Plassey (June 23, 1757), and sold his throne — our Bengal, Bihar and Orissa — to Mir Jafar for a sum that amounted to £2,340,000 sterling, of which Clive received £200,000. Omichand, when xlii HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM he touiid the treaty was forged, swooned, and never recovered the shock; Clive advised him to go on a pilgrimage, but the wretched man sank into idiocy, "languished a few months and then died". Macaulay, though he makes excuses for his hero of meeting craft with craft, says of his general policy, that "he descended, without scruple, to falsehood, to hypo- critical caresses, to the substitution of documents and to the counterfeiting of hands" (Essays, ii. 101, 102. Ed. 1864). J3y these means, joined to marvellous courage and military genius, he founded the British Empii-e in India, which historians date from Plassey. Clive obtained in addition from Mir Jafar a tract of 882 square miles — the 24 Perganas— to go to the Company after his death, he having meanwhile the rental; this rental was paid to him by the Company from 176.") — when they took over the land — till he died in 1774; the quit-rent was about £80,000 sterling a year. At the age of 34, starting with nothing, he had accumulated, between lloo and 1760, admittedly, £220,000 remitted to business houses in l^jugland ; £25,000 ill diamonds; "considerable" sums and a "great mass of ready money," as well as the huge estate, which he valued at £27,000 ;i ye;u'. All this was challenged in the House of Conunons, in 1773, after his last i-etuni to Kn^-liind (1767), und ;i vote of censure was shelved l»y the previous (pu'stion, and the words that "he •lid, ;it the siinic time, render great and meritorious servici's to his country". lie conmiitted suicide in 177 1. .Macaulay says (A' the enquiry: "It was clear that ('live hail been guilty of some HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xliii acts which it was impossible to vindicate without attacking the authority of all the most sacred laws which regulate the intercourse of iudividuals and of States. But it was equally clear that he had displayed great talents, and even great virtues" — talents, undoubtedly. Macaulay thinks that the enmity he roused was due to his efforts to stop corruption; for, in 1765, he had returned to India for a year and a half as Governor, and had devoted himself to the purifying of the administration, pei'haps repenting of his own rapacity. That, at least remains to his credit, but he kept hold of his own ill-gotten wealth. His new ardour for purity had been more admirable, had he disgorged his own spoils, and it may well be that the attack on him was largely due to the fact that he had enriched himself by methods which he forbade to others. Macaulay gives a terrible account of the op- pressions of the Company at this time : " thirty millions of human beings were reduced to the extremity of wretchedness. They had been accus- tomed to live under tyranny, but never under tyranny like this ■ . . That Government, oppressive as the most oppressive form of barbarian despotism, was strong with all the strength of civilisation." He quotes a MusalmJin historian, who praises the extra- ordinary courage and military skill of the English : " but the people under their dominion groan every- where, and are reduced to poverty and distress. God ! come to the assistance of thy afflicted servants, and deliver them from the oppressions which they xliv HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM suffer." In 1770 there was an awful famine; "the Hooghly every day rolled down thousands of corpses close to the porticoes and gardens of the English conquerors. The very streets of Calcutta were blocked up bj^ the dying and the dead." It was " officially reported to have swept away two- thirds of the inhabitants " {Imperial Gazetteer, ii, 480), or 10,000,000 persons. The terrible years roll on ; Macaulay again lays stress on them in his Essay on Warren Hastings ; of his ability, again, there is as little doubt as of his crimes. He was Governor from 1772 to 1785, taking in 1774 'the title of trovernor-General. He laboured at administration, and tilled the Company's coffers with gold. The gathering of this seems to have been his chief object, and was the cause of his greatest crimes. The Nawab of Bengal had had an income of 53 lakhs promised hiin by Clive, when deprived of his power; Clive cut the allowance down to 41 lakhs on the accession of a new Nawab, and the third was reduced to 32 lakhs. Hastings found a child as the fourth, and, the child being helpless, cut him down to 16 lakhs. He sold Alhihabad and Koni to Oudh for 50 hikhs (then worth half a million pounds sterling), and stopped the tribute of 20 hikhs guaranteed to the Emperor of Delhi in return for Bengal. To these " concpierors " every treatj'^ was a mere "scraj) nt pajx'r," to be repudiated at pleasure. These ** economies" wei'e highly appreciated by the Company; they left tlie Conipany wealthy in gold, but bankrupt in huiiour. Ihul they onlj'^ stained their HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xlv own honour, it would have been their own business. But they stained the honour of England in India's eyes. These were the first " English " whom she knew ; England made some amends by giving English edu- cation with its liberty-inspiring ideals. She will make her final amends by co-operating with India, as she has co-operated with Ireland, to shape Home Rule. But worse crimes followed this auspicious beginning ; the sale of the Rohillas to pillage and slaughter : the hanging of Nanda-kumara ; the coercion of the Princesses of Oudh. The Rohillas were a long- Indianised Afghan people, whose " little territory " says Macaulay (Essays, ii. 193), " enjoyed the blessings of repuse under the guai'dianship of valour. Agricul- ture and commerce flourished among them ; nor were they negligent of rhetoric and poetry." Sujah Daula, Nawab of Oudh, coveted this rich territory, but feared the valour of the Rohillas, numbering some 80,000 warriors. Hastings sold him the use of the British army for £400,000 sterling, and they, with the Nawab's troops, were let loose on this noble people. Fire and sword devastated the land and slew the people, and " the rich province which had tempted the cupidity of Sujah Daula became the most miserable part even of his miserable dominions ". In two years, by such transactions, Hastings gave the Company about a million sterling and £450,000 increase of annual income. He also had saved Bengal from an annual military expenditure of £250,000. Nanda-kumara was a, wealthy Brahmana who accused Hastings of some of his crimes ; before xlvi HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOK FREEDOM tlii^, there was a loiif? story of antagonism ; lie was a man of high rank, talent and wealth. His accusa- tion was met by his arrest for an alleged forgery six years before. The infamous Sir Klijah Impey was the judge, the jury P]nglish. The verdict was a foregone conclusion, and Impey pronounced a sentence of death. He died with peaceful dignity, hanged on the public gallows before an enormous crowd, amid shrieks and shouts of horror and despair. The Princesses of Oudh, the mother and widow of Suraj Daula were enormously wealthy, reputed to possess a treasure of £3,000,000 sterling, and great revenues from land. The safety of their wealth was guaranteed to them by the (government of Bengal. But what of that "' They were accused of complicity in some rioting, but as there was no evidence they were not brought to trial; Hastings and the new Nawab, grandson and son of the Princesses, agreed to an act of confiscation, stripping them of everything. The son repented, l)ut not so Hastings. He imprisoned the Princesses. He then seized the two eunuchs who were at the heiid of their household, imprisoned, ironed, starved thein, and at last gave them up to torture, the Nawab's officers being empowered in writing to "have free access to the prisoners and be permitted to do with them }is they sh;ill see proper," as the Nawab had "determined to iuliict corporal punishment" on them. Tlieir oidy ciiinc was their refusal to sui-render the chiii-gc givt'U fotliciii l»y tlicii'dcad lord. 'I'lic I^'incesses were kept in prison li;df-starved, till they hail paid £1,200,000. HISTOKlt'AL JNTEODUCTION xlvii Warren Hastings was a man of magnificent abilities, and made a strong administration, but the record of liis crimes is long and terrible. He left India in 1785, and was impeached by the House of Commons, which had before censured him, after long debate, for his crimes, while the King favoured him, the Company adored him, Lord Chancellor Thurlow protected him ; the result was sure, despite the marvellous eloquence of Burke. In vain his passionate peroration rang out: I impeach him in the name of the Commons' House of Parliament, whose trust he has betra^yed. I imjjeach him in the name of tlie English Nation, whose ancient honour he has sullied. 1 im- peach him in the name of the people of India, whose rights he has trodden under foot, and whose country he has turned into a desert. Lastly, in the name of human nature itself, in the name of l)oth sexes, in the name of every age, in the name of every rank, I imjjeach the common enemy and opjyressor of all ! The trial began in 1788 and the decision was pro- nounced in 1795. 160 nobles began the trial ; 29 voted at the close, a majority in his favour. Meanwhile Hastings, secure in the King's favour, had spent £40,000 in bviilding a house and in laying out its grounds. Within our limits we cannot trace fully the growth of the Indian Empire : Lord Cornwallis followed Hastings in 1786 and left his mai-k in the Permanent Settlement of Bengal. Fighting as usual went on in the South, and in the Third Mysore War (1790-92), Lord Cornwallis, Governor-General, allied with the Nizam of the Deccan and the Maratha Confederacy, conquered Tipu Sultan of Mysoi-e, robbed him of half his territories — which they divided between them — and exacted from him three million pounds stei'ling, thus ensuring another wai-. xlviii HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM Marquess Wellesley and the Nizam, in the fourtli Mysore War (1799), finished him, and he died, fighting gallant!}' to the end, in the breach at the storming of Seringapatam. This added the Carnatic to the Madras Presidency. The (quarrels of the Maratha Chiefs enabled Marquess AVellesley to detach the Peshwa from them, and he became a vassal of the Company; the third Maratha War followed (1^0^-0 10) and in 1817-18, the last, the Maratha Empire perished, and left its Pi-inces as feudatories of the English. Ranjit Singh, the " Lion of the Pan jab,'"' who created the Sikh kingdom, and seized Lahore as his capital in 1799, when only 19 years of age, was the creator of the last Power the British had to meet. His army was united by religion not by territory- they wei-e the Sikhs, the disciples of the ten Gurus who had built up the Khalsa (Society), from Nanak the Saiut to Govinda Singh, the Warrior (1675-1708). He made his Kingdom in the Pan jab as tar south as Multan; in 1809, Metcalfe visited Paujit Singh as envoy from the British, and concluded a treaty with him, making the Sutk^i River the boundary between his Kingdom and the British territory. ^^'ith liim there was peace till his death in 1839, but in 1845 the Sikh army ci'ossed the Siitlej, and a iter loiii- battk's was driven back. In 18-18 tlu' second Sikh War broke out; the "British were defeated at Chilianwala (18-19), but soon after Multan was .stormed, the victory of Gujrat won, and the Panjab was annexed two months later. Lord Dnlliousie (1848-56) started the convenient theory tliat "Xative States" were less well governed HISTORICAL INTRODUCriON xlix tlian Britisli Provinces, and should be annexed wher- ever possible, e.g., as when a ruler died without a son. Under these conditions he annexed Satara in 1849, Jhansi in 1853, Nagpuv in 1858. Oudh he annexed in 185(i, on high moral grounds, because its administra- tion was "fraught with suffering to millions" — a dangei-ous argument from an ofhcial of the East India Company. It was looked on with alarm by the " Natives," and contributed to the Sepoj^ Revolt of 1857, when Lord Canning was Viceroy. This broke out in May 10, 1857, in Meerut, and ended in January, 1859. From that time we may date the famous "Pax Britannica," for until that time there were continual w.'irs and annexations, while since then there have been none further within India itself. There have Ijeen frontier wars, the iniquitous Afghan wars, the annexation of Burma, but internal order has been niaintanied. On November 1, 1858, was held the Darbar of Allahabad, in which was published the Queen's Proclamation, assuming the Cxovernment of India, and making the Governor-General a Viceroy. The Company perished in the Sepoy Rebellion, in which poured out the hatreds accumulating since Plassey, in J 757. Th« Queen's Proclamation contained the memorable w^ords : It is our further will that, so far as may be, our subjects of whatever race and creed, be freely and impartially admitted to office in our service, the duties of which they may be qualified by their education, ability and credit duly to discharge. In their prosperity will be our strength ; in their contentment our securitv • and in their srratitude our best reward. 1 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Fifty-seven years have rolled away since those noljle words were spoken ; they remain unfulfilled, and, as the inevitable consequence, the security of contentment is not j^et ours. The existing conditions in India, bearing on the religious, economic, educational and poHtical problems of the present, are dealt with in the Congress story. They will be better understood against the historical background, which shows that Indian Nationality is not a plant of mushroom growth, but a giant of the forest, with, millennia behind it. India is now full of unrest, righteous unrest ; she is consequently held down by a series of enacitments unparalleled in any modern civiliscid country; Lord Morley has had the audacity to state, according to Sir Valentine Chirol (Indian Unrest, J 54, ed. 1910) that the Government of India " nuisfc be an autocracy," and India loathes autoci-acy. She has enjoyed all the benefits which flow from it during her childhood and youth as a Nation, and she has felt its weight in British hands; siie is now matui-c ; she demands freedom, and she is resolute to take her destiny into her own hands, as one of the Free Notions in a Ci'owned Common- wealth, if Britain will wurk willi liei-, in making the transit. Vincent A. Smith {Early History of India, p. 881), in tracing the nnnnls of some "'Indian petty States," snys that they show " what India always has been when released fnimtlu! control of a supreme au- thority, and what she would be again, if the hand of the benevolent desijotism which now holds her in its iron grasp, should he withiliawn "'. If a central authority HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 11 is Avanted, and all Free Nations need it, to prevent centrifugal forces from causing disintegration, India demands that it shall be her own Parliament. Why should she, alone among civilised modern Nations, require a foreign supreme authority ? But there is one danger to India's future which it is well to recognise — the effect of the concomitants <)f the famous Pax Britannica of fifty -seven years. India has never before been under foreign domination as a tvhole. If one part of her was invaded, other parts were tranquil : if there was a foreign conquest, the new rulers settled down on the old lines ; there were no barriers put up round State offices, differentiating between the new-comers and the earlier inhabitants ; in fact the aim of the new was assimilation with the older elements in a common civic life, and when the Musalmans made their Kingdoms and Empire, every- thing was done to induce the people to accept the new rulers and live in peace. Aurangzeb, the .sixth Mughal Emperor, was the first persecutor, and his brutalities broke the Mughal power. The British policy has been different ; the whole administration of British India has been in its own hands, and all the chief positions of responsibility and power have been rigidly confined to the foreigners ; it is thought a wonderful concession that the Miiito-Morley reforms allowed one Indian to enter the Imperial Council ! All initiative, all original- ity have been rigorously repressed, while manly independence has been resented, and even punished. It lias seemed as though it were the British aim to turn the whole Indian Nation into a race of clerks. lii HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM This sfeady crushiiiEr pressure over the whole popula- tion has produced a serious result, and has emasculated tlie Nation. Indians hesitate, Avhere they should act ; they ask, where they should take; the}' submit, where they should resist; they lack self-confidence and the audacity that commands success. Prompt, rfsolute, effective action is but too rare; they lack fire and decision. Mr. (jokhale, in his answer before, the Royal Commission on Indian Expenditure (Ans. 18,331), voiced the same idea, after pointing to the 2,388 officials drawing annual salaries of Rs. 10,000 and upwards, of whom only 60 were Indians. " The excessive costliness of the foreign agency is not, how- ever, its only evil. There is a moral evil, which, if anything, is even greater. A kind of dwarfing or stunting of the Indian race is going on under the present system. We must live all the days of our life in an atmosphere of inferiority, and the tallest of us must bend in order that the exigencies of the existing system may be satisfied." This is the deepest, gravest, wrong that (xreat Britain has intlictod on a once mighty and imperial race. Unless Indians can again develop the old vigour, courage and initiative, India can have no future. But the old spirit is awaking on every si and crafts; a system which HISTOEICAL INTRODUCTION Ivii will educate her whole population for useful ends, as the United States nud (ierniany have done for their populations and Rritniii is now doing for hers. India also desires to check the lavish expenditure of her money on the schools and colleges of foreign missions — British, Scotch, American, German, Danish, French, Swiss, Italian — while those under her own control are discouraged and crippled in their natural develop- ment on lines shaped by Indians. 3. British rule has destroyed India's finest arts and industries in order to favour the importation of cheap foreign goods, and even in machine industry, such as cotton, taxes the home-produce in order to balance the customs duty on imported goods. It encourages the export of raw materials, which come back as manu- factured articles, thus paralysing Indian industrial efforts for the benefit of foreigners. The export in- dustry being in full swing, when England goes to War, India's materials are suddenly thrown on her hands, and as she has neither plant, nor knowledge how to use it, they rot on the ground and their producers starve. India Avould train her own sons to utilise her vast stores of raw material, for her own profit, and would only send abroad her surplusage. 4. Britishn-ule has neglected irrigation — only lately taken up because of the awful famines, and even now starved for want of funds — and while recklessly cutting forests down has, also until lately, neglected replanting. Huge tracts of land, especially in the north-west, have consequently become deserts, which were formerly rich Iviii HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and fertile. India would place irrigation and foi'ostry among the fii'st duties of Government. 5. British rule has neglected sanitation, while the tendency to centralise in towns and neglect villages has necessitated changes from the old methods. Alarmed by the plague — a disease of dirt, which decimated Europe dirty and vanished before Europe semi-clean — it took some hasty and injudicious methods, which alienated Indian sympathy, and is now more busy with injecting serums into Indian bodies, thus really perpetuating disease, than with sanitation. The trouble is increased by the arrogant contempt for indigenous systems, and the ousting of them bj'' Government, while it is impossible to replace them adeciuately everywhere with the costly modern appliances. India would insist on sanitation as among the first duties of Government, would encourage all that is good in the old systems, and utilise Avhatis good in western methods. 6. Britiish rule is extremely costly ; it employs Europeans in the highest posts at the highest salaries, and introduces them everywhere as "experts" — experts ignorant of the conditions in which they are working; it keeps special preserves wholly for Europeans; others into which Indians may enter at the heavy cost of goisig to Eng- land to obtain "English degrees"; it pensions its servants, so that the Knglish ones live on Indian money when they retire to England, making a huge annual di-aiii ; it encourages exjiloitation of the country by hiUgllsh companies and Iviglisli ca])!!;!!, making aiK)tlier HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION llX • statement — was " merely an affair of discontented place-seekers — men of straw, with little or no stake in the country. . . . THE SECOND CONGRESS 29 persons of considerable imitative powers ... of total ignorance of the real problems of Government . . . delegates from all these talking clubs . . . might become a serious danger to public tranquillity ". Virulent rubbish, which did its mischievous work in Great Britain. The Viceroy, Lord Dufferin, received some of the members, not as delegates but as " distinguished visitors to the capital " ! He also invited them to a garden party, carefully explaining that he did not ask them as representatives. Unconsciously humorous was His Excellency. But he doubtless meant well. In any case, the representative character of the Congress was recognised by India, if not by this amiable gentleman, RESOLUTIONS I. That this Congress of Delegates from all parts of India do humbly offer its dutiful and loyal congratulations to Her Most Gracious Majesty, the Queen Empress, on the approaching completion of the first half century of her memorable, beneficent and glorious reign, and heartily wish her many, many more, and happy, years of rule over the great British Empire. Representation II. That this Congress regards with the deepest sympathy, and views with grave apprehension, the increasing poverty of vast numbers of the population of India, and (although aware that the Government is hot overlooking this matter and is contemplating certain palliatives) desires to record its fixed conviction that the introduction of Representative Institutions will prove one of the most important practical steps towards the amelioration of the condition of the people. III. That this Congress do, emphatically, reaffirm the 3rd Resolution of the Congress of 1885, and distinctly declare its belief that the reform and expansion of the Council of the Govemor- General for making Laws and of the Provincial Legislative Councils 30 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM thei-ein suggested, have now become essential alike in the interest, of India and England. IV. That this Congress is of opinion that in giving practical effect to this essential reform, regard should be had (subject to such modifications as, on a more detailed examination of the question, may commend themselves to the Government) to the principles embodied in the following tentative suggestions : (1) The number of persons composing the Legislative Councils, both Provincial and of the Governor-General, to be materially increased. Not less than one-half the Members of such enlarged Coiincils to be elected. Not more than one-fourth to be officials having seats e.v-officio in such Councils, and not more than one-fourth to be Members, official or non-official, nominated by Government. (2) The right to elect members to the Provincial Councils to be conferred only on those classes and members of the community, prima facie, capable of exercising it M'isely and independently. In Bengal and Bombay the Councillors may be elected by the members of Municipalities, District Boards, Chambers of Commerce and the Universities, or an electorate may be con- stituted of all persons possessing such qualifications, educational and pecuniary, as may be deemed necessary. In Madras, the Councillors may be elected either by District Boards, Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce and the University, or by Electoral colleges composed of members partly elected by these bodies and partly nominated by Government. In the North-West Provinces and Oudh and in the Panjab, Councillors may be elected by an Electoral College composed of members elected by Municipal and District Boards and nominated, to an extent not exceeding one-sixth of the total number, by Government, it being understood that the same elective system now in force where Municipal Boards are concerned will be applied to District Boards, and the right of electing members to these latter extended to the cultivating class. But whatever system be adopted (and the details must be worked out sejDarately for each province) care must be taken that all sections of the community, and ail great interests, are adequately represented. (3) The elected Members of the Council of the Governor- General for making Laws, to be elected by the effected Members of the several Provincial Councils. (4) No elected or nominated Member of any Council, to receive any salary or remuneration in virtue of such membership but any such Member, already in receipt of any Government salary or allowance, to continue to draw the same unchanged during membership, and all Members to be entitled to be reimbursed any expenses incurred in travelling in connection with their membership. The second congress 31 (5) All persons, resident in India, to be eligible for seats in Council, whether as electees or nominees, without distinction of race, creed, caste or colour. (6) All legislative measures and all financial questions, including all budgets, whether these involve new or enhanced taxation or not, to be necessarily submitted to and dealt with by these Councils. In the case of all other branches of the administra- tion, any Member to be at liberty, after due notice, to put any question he sees fit to the er-officio Members (or such one of these as may be specially charged with the supervision of the particular branch concerned) and to be entitled (except as hereinafter provided) to receive a reply to his question, together with copies of any papers requisite for the thorough comprehension* of the subject, and on this reply the Council to be at liberty to consider and discuss the question and X'ecord thereon such resolution as may appear fitting to the majority. Provided that, if the sub- ject in regard to which the enquiry is made involves matters of Foreign policy, Military dispositions or strategj-, or is otherwise of such a nature that, in the opinion of the Executive, the public interests would be materially imperilled by the communication of the information asked for, it shall be competent for them to instruct the e.r. officio Members, or one of them, to reply accordingly, and decline to furnish the information asked for. (7) The Executive Government shall possess the power of overruling the decision arrived at by the majority of the Council, in every case in which, in its opinion, the public interests would suffer by the acceptance of such decision ; but whenever this power is exercised, a full exposition of the grounds on which this has been considered necessary, shall be published within one month, and in the case of local Governments they shall report the circumstances and explain their action to the Government of India, and in the case of this latter, it shall report and explain to the Secretary of State ; and in any such case on a representation made through the Government of India and the Secretary of State by the overruled majority, it shall be competent to the Standing Committee of the House of Commons (recommended in the 3rd Resolution of last year's Congress which this present Congress has affirmed) to con- sider the matter, and call for any and all papers or information, and hear any persoss on behalf of such majority or otherwise, and thereafter, if needful, report thereon to the full House. V. That this Congress do invite all Public Bodies and all Associations throughout the Country, humbly and earnestly, to entreat His Excellencj- the Viceroy to obtain the sanction of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India to the appointment of a Commission, to enquire exhaustively into the best method of intro- ducing such a tentative form of Representative Institutions into India, as has been indicated in Resolutions III of the past, and IV of the present year's Congress. 32 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Public Servioe VI. That a Committee composed of the gentlemen named in the margin be appointed to consider the Public Service Question and report thereon to this Congress. Hon. Dadabhai Naoroji (Bombaj^). „ S. Subramania Iyer (Madras). „ Peary Mohan Mukei-ji (Calcutta). Mr. G. Subramania Iyer (Madras). Babu Motilal Ghose (Calcutta). „ Surendra Nath Bannerji (Calcutta). „ Gangaprasad Varma (Lucknow). „ Ramkali Chaudhuri (Benares). „ Guru Prasad Sen (Patna). Pandit Prannath (Lucknow). Munshi Kashiprasad (Allahabad). Nawab Reza Ali Khan (Lucknow). Mr. Hamid Ali (Lucknow). Lala Kanyalal (Amritsar). Rao Sahab Gangadhar Rao Madhaw Chitnavis (Nagpur). Mr. Rahimtulla M. Sayani (Bombay). VII. That this Congress approves and adopts the report sub- mitted by the Committee ajipointed by Resolution VI. REPORT We, the Members of the Committee appointed by the Con- gress to submit a statement in connection with the Public Service question, have the honour to report that the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by us at a meeting held yesterday : 1. That the open Competitive Examination be held simul- taneously both in India and in England. 2. That the simultaneous examinations thus held be equally open to all classes of Her Majesty's subjects. ;{. That the classified list be prepared according to merit. ■I. That the Congress express the hope that the Civil Service Commissioners will giv(! fair consideration to Samskrit and Arabic among the subjects of examination. 5. That the age of candidates eligible for admission to the open Competitive Examination be not less than 19, or, as recom- mended by Sir C. Aitchison, more than 23 years. 6. That simultaneous examinations being granted, the Statutory Civil Service be closed for first appointments. THE SECOND CONGRESS 33 7. That the appointments in the Statutory Civil Service, under the existing rules, be still left open to the Members of the Uncovenanted Service and to professional men of proved merit and ability. 8. That all appointments requiring educational qualifications, other than covenanted first appointments, be filled by Competitive Examinations held in the different Provinces, and open in each Province to such natiu'al-born subjects of H.M. only as are residents thereof. These Resolutions it is hoped, cover the main principles which underlie the questions set by the Public Service Commission. For a more detailed consideration there was no time. (Sd). Dadabiiai Naoroji, 30th December, 1886 President of the Committee Legal VIII. That, in the opinion of this Congress, the time has now arrived when the system of trial by jury may be safely extended into many parts of the Country where it is not at present in force. IX. That, in the opinion of this Congress, the innovation made in 1872 in the system of trial by jury, depriving the verdicts of juries of all finality, has proved injurious to the Country, and that the powers then, for the first time, vested in Sessions Judges and High Courts, of setting aside verdicts of acquittal, should be at once withdrawn. X. That, in the opinion of this Congress, a provision, similar to that contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Act of England (under which accused persons in serious cases have the option of demand- ing a committal to the Sessions Court), should be introduced into the Indian Cod^ of Criminal Procedure, enabling accused persons, in warrant cases, to demand that, instead of being tried by the Magistrate, they be committed to the Court of Sessions. XI. That this Congress do place on record an expression of the universal conviction, that a complete separation of executive and judicial functions (such that in no case the two functions shall be combined in the same officer) has become an urgent necessity, and that, in its opinion, it behoves the Government to effect this separa- tion without further delay, even though this should, in some Provinces, involve some extra expenditure. 34 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Volunteering XII. That in view of the unsettled state of public affairs in Europe, and the immense assistance that the people of this country, if duly prepared therefor, is capable of rendering to Great Britain in the event of any serious complications arising, this Congress do earnestly apjieal to the Government to authorise (under such rules and restrictions as may to it seem htting) a system of Volunteering for the Indian inhabitants of the country, such as may qualify them to support the Government, effectively, in any crisis. Organisation XIII. That Standing Congress-Committees be constituted at all important centres. XIV. That the Third Indian National Congress assemble at Madras on the 27th of December 1887. XV. That copies of these Resolutions be forwarded to His Excellency the Viceroy in Council, with the humble requests, that he will cause the 1st Resolution to be submitted in due course to Her Majesty the Queen Empress, that he will cause all the Resolu- tions to be laid befoi'e Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, and that he himself will be graciously pleased, in consultation with his colleagues, to accord them his best consideration. (Sd.) Dadabhai Naoroji, President of the Second Indian National Congress CHAPTER III The spirit of. the third National Congress is shown by the heading of the official Report, taken from the speech of Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao, K. C. S. 1., the Chairman of the Reception Committee, who, speaking of the Congress, declared that it was " the soundest triumph of British Administration, and a Crown of Glory to the British Nation ". The words recall those of Macaulay, when he said that the noblest monument of British Rule in India would be the establishment of Britain's free institutions in the land. The third Congress met at Madras in December, 1887. As early as May 1st, 1887, a strong Recep- tion Committee of some 120 members was formed, with Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao as Chairman, and embracing Hindus of all castes, Muhammadans, Indian Christians and Eurasians, a thoroughly re- presentative body. Every town of over 10,000 in- habitants was asked to form a sub-committee, and a vigorous political propaganda was carried on, 30,000 copies of a Tamil Congress Catechism, by Mr, Viraraghavachariar, being distributed, A striking proof of the result of this was the fact that Rs, 5,500 were contributed by 8,000 subscriptions varying from 36 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM anna one to Rs, 1-8^ and another Rs, 8,000 varying from Rs. 1-8 to Rs. 30. Poor people even sent collections from Mandalay, Rangoon, Singapore and the eastern islands. It is pleasant to see the names of the Ruling Princes of Mysore, Travancore and Cochin, and Their Highnesses the Maharaja of Vizia- nagaram and the Raja of Yenkatagiri at one end of the subscribers, with one-anna coolies at the other — a truly National work. The Standing Congress Com- mittees were asked to send up subjects for discussion, and the energetic Committee, greatly daring, set up a huge Pandal, capable of holding 3,000 persons. 760 delegates had been elected, and 607 were actually present. The table Madras Bombay and Sindh Bengal, Orissa and Assam N. W. P. and Oudh ... Central Provinces Pan jab The Pan jab had elected 42 delegates, though only 9 appeared. From -the Panjab to Madras is a far cry. A good feature was the presence of 45 ryots and 19 artisans. A noteworthy delegate was Mr. John Adam, " the Principal of the great Pachaiyappa's Collegiate establishment ". The Report also notes the friendliness of The Madras Mail, The Bombay Gazette, the Calcutta Daily News and Statesman. Among the many who sent letters of sympathy were the Shri Mahant of Tirupati, and the Maharaja of 'as as loliows : 362 99 79 45 13- 9 607 THE THIRD CONGEBSS 37 Darbhanga, and of course the Hon. Mr. K. T. Telang, while the Hon. Mr. G. M. Ranade was present in person, though^ as before, unable to serve as a delegate. The Congress met on December 27th, in the Pandal, erected in Mackay's Gardens, some 3,000 spectators assembling in and around the great tent. Sir T. Madhava Rao in a few words welcomed the delegates, and, being in very weak health, gave his brief speech to Mr. C. V. Sundaram Shastri to read ; he justified the Congress, expressed his belief that the Govern- ment was willing to help India to advance, and urged caution on " all parties concerned ". Mr. W. C. Bannerji proposed and the Hon. Mr. S. Subramania Aiyar seconded, the election as President of Mr. Budrudin Tyabji, who took the chair amid great applause ; it is interesting to note that the first Congress was presided over by a Hindu, the second l)y a Parsi, the third by a Musalman. Mr. Tyabji laid stress on the representative char- acter of the Congress, asserted its loyalty, and finally advised that a Committee — ^the names of which he read out — ^should be appointed to consider the many suggestions sent in for discussion and to draw up a programme for the work of the Congress. The proposal was warmly approved and the following Committee was accepted : Bengal, Ass^am and Orissa. — Mr. W. C. Bannerji, Dr. Trailokyanath Mitra, Messrs. Surendranath Bannerji and Norendranath Sen. Beliar. — Messrs. Saligram Singh, and Guru Prasad Sen. Bombay and Sindli. — Messrs. Chanda- varkar, Khare, Dhruva, Nam Joshi, and Gobind Buksh. 4 38 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM North-West Provinces avd Oudh. — Mr. Moulvi Hamid Ali, Raja Rampal Singh, Mr. Ram Kali Chaudhuri and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Punjab. — Pandit Satya- nand Agnihotri and Lala Murlidhar. Madras. — Messrs. Hume, Sal^apathy Mudaliar, Sankara Nair and W. S. Gantz. The appointment of this Committee is interesting, as it was really the first " Subjects Committee," the body to which all real debate has gradually been transferred. It is a question whether the plan is a good one, since the Committee sits in private, and hence both the members and the public lose the healthy influence of open debate, which add- ed so much to the vitality and interest of the Congress; the public sittings become a mere for- mal passing of resolutions debated in Committee. Besides, the younger delegates lose the training in debate which they enjoyed in earlier days, and be- come the more critical when they have no fair oppor- tunity of expressing dissent and moving amendments. In the days we are now studying, amendments were frequently brought forward and thoroughly debated. On the second day, December 28th, the first Reso- lution appointed a Committee to consider what, if any, rules should be framed for the constitution and work- ing of the Congress, to report on the 30th (tlie list of names will be found in the Resolution, two names, that of the mover and of Mr. R. P. Karandikar, being added to the original list). The Resolution was moved by Dr. Trailokyanath Mitra, who remarked that some opponents said that the delegates represented no one but themselves ; while they must not check THE THIRD CONGRESS 39 the growth and develojjinent of the Congress by hard and fast rules, too early imposed, the world should know who elected the Congress, and that the Congress was really representative. Mr. Hamid Ali Khan seconded, and Mr. W. S. Clantz supported, pointing- out that little work was done between Congresses, whereas work should continue throughout the year. At this point Dr. Trailokyanath Mitra's name was added. Mr. R. P. ECarandikar moved an amend- ment, narrowing the scope of the Committee to framing rules, and proposing to defer the question of a Constitution till the Congress had gained more ex- perience and had visited other Provinces. Others supported the amendment, regarding the proposal to frame a Constitution as premature, but on the appeal of the President the amendment was withdrawn, as the whole matter could be considered on the report of the Committee ; this was done, Mr. Karandikar's name was added to the Committee, and the Resolution was carried unanimously. The second Resolution re-affirmed the necessity of the admission of representatives to the Legislative Councils, and Mr. Surendranath Banner] i said in proposing it : " We unfurl the banner of the Con- gress, and up®n it are written, in characters of glitter- ing gold, which none may efface, the great words of this Resolution : ' Representative Institutions for India.' " He declined to enter into details, affirming only the principle, pointing out that they were not legislators, and saying : " The Government has highly paid officials, drawing thousands of rupees a 40 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM month, and it is for them to elaborate the Bill and settle the details, upon principles which may find acceptance with the Government." It is significant that Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao seconded the proposal, remarking that, prudent and conservative as he was, he regarded as necessary for India representative institutions ; he said the principle was " one which the British Government, I am sure, will not, and cannot, refuse to recognise ". He was optimistic enough to believe, this cautious old statesman, that in " a year or two " they would " receive a satisfactory response to our very reasonable recommendations " ! Only 28 years have passed since then. A long discussion followed, in which Mr. Eardley Norton made a remarkable speech, in which he urged resolution, courage and endurance, until the right demanded was obtained. " I was told yesterday by one, for whose character and educated qualities I cherish a great esteem, that in joining myself with the labourers in this Congress, I have earned for myself the new title of ' a veiled seditionist '. If it be sedition, gentlemen, to rebel against all Avrong ; if it be sedition to insist that the people should have a fair share in the administration of their own country and affairs ; if it be sedition to resist tyranny, to raise my voice against oppression, to mutiny against injustice, to insist upon a hearing before sentence, to uphold the liberties of the individual, to vindicate our common right to gradual ])ut ever advancing reform — if this be sedition I am right glad to be called a ' seditionist,' and doubly, aye, trebly glad, THE THIRD CONGRESS 41 when I look around me to-day, to know and feel I am ranked as one among such a magnificent array of ' seditionists '." He spoke in 1887. These things, and indeed much less important things, are still "sedition " in 1915. Pandit Bishen Narayan Dhar Avas another fine speaker, and he pointed out the value of free institu- tions as " the best practical school for mental and moral discipline ". " To be called on from time to time to take part in the afl'airs of your country, to discuss, with the sense of responsibility that power gives, public questions ; to have to employ your high- est faculties in the management of affairs that have a direct bearing on your country's glory, and on the happiness of her people, these things, I say, are all steps in the education necessary for the unfolding of all the speculative and practical faculties of a Nation." Without this, " it will lack that instinctive sense of liberty, that robustness of character which are essen- tial to all healthy and, therefore, progressive. National life ". He appealed to the views taken by eminent Englishmen on this matter, giving the following strik- ing opinions. Sir Richard Temple, who was hardly regarded as a friend of India, said : For all tRat it must be remembered that the elective principle is essential to that political training which every stable government (like that of the British in India) must desire to see possessed by its subjects .... Public spirit cannot be created without entrusting the people with a part of their own public business, a part limited at first, but increasing as their fitness shall grow. Even if political risks should accrue, they must be borne in 42 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM performing the duty which the British Government owes to the people of India. In that country, a trustful policy will be found a wise one, and that which is sound morally will prove to be the safest politically. Sir John Lawrence, as long ago as 1864, said : The people of India are quite capable of administering their own affairs, and the municipal feeling is deeply rooted in them. The villag"e communities, each of which is a little republic, are the most abiding of Indian institutions. Holding the position we do in India, every view of duty and policy should induce us to leave as much as possible of the business of the country to be done by the people. A.nd Mr. Gladstone, who loved Liberty in his old age even move fully than he loved her in his youth, declared : I hold that the capital agent in determining finally the C|uestion whether our power in India is or is not to continue, will be the will of the two hundred and forty millions of people who inhabit India. The question who shall have Supreme Bnle in India is, by the laws of right, an Indian question ; and those laws of right are from day to day growing into laws of fact. Our title to be there depends on a first condition, that our being there is profitable to the Indian nations ; and on a second condition, that we can make them see and understand it to be profitable. It was England, said the elo({uent Pandit, who had created the desire wliicli the Congress was voicing : England has moved us from our ancient anchorage. She has cast us adrift, against our will, upon the wide waters of a seething proletariat ; and we turn back to England, and ask her to grant us that compass of re- presentative in.stitutions by which, amid a thousand storms, she has steered lier prosperous course tf) the safe haven of regulated political freedom. THE THIRD CONGRESS 43 It was? a noble appeal ; but, like many others, it fell upon deaf ears. England sowed the seed of Freedom, but when its fair harvest showed itself in the Congi'ess, she feared the result of her work, she hesitated, and finally sent Lord Curzon to destroy her own success ; then there came, as there ever come, from dammed-up aspirations, unrest and trouble, and then coercion and half-hearted reforms, and growing trouble, until the War broke out and saved the Empire, and gives now the possibility of a blessed change, which shall bind together the hearts of India and Great Britain — if Britain will be as wise as Russia. Another Pandit, Madan Mohan Malaviya, came next, and spoke with the passionate earnestness natural to him ; we give a long extract, to show how reasonable was the plea. It is as valid now as then, for though the Minto-Morley reforms of 1910 gave some representation, the details were so juggled with as to leave the representatives in a hopeless minority, and to give them absolutely no control over the Budget. Allow me to say this much, that, placed as we are in this country under a foreign Government, however benevolent and generous its motives — the motives of those who take part in the administration — we stand in the greatest need of our own representatives in the Legislative Councils. Gentlemen, the whole of Europe, with the exception of Russia, has declared that the most efficient and best form of Government for any country, which has made any advance in civilisation, is a Govern- ment, conducted not solely by the few for the many, but to a greater or less extent by the many for themselves — 44 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM a Government, in fact, in which the representatives of the people have some potential share — and if this be expedient for European countries, where the rulers and the ruled are of the same Nationality, and where they are of the same religion, I think it must be conceded that it is even more essential for India, which is inhabited by people whose habits, manners, customs, language, race and cx'eed differ from those of their rulers. If we demand for India that there should lie representatives of her people in the State Councils, we only ask for what, not simply Europe, but America, Australia, and almost the whole civilised world have declared with one unanimous voice to be essential for any Government that is to be suitable to any country, as it is only where the representatives of the people are allowed to take part in that administration, that the wants and wishes, the aspira- tions and grievances of the people can be adequately set forth, properly understood, or duly provided for. That being so, gentlemen, I think there cannot possibly be two opinions on the point, that the reform which we crave for from Government is one so essential for the well- being of this country, that it should be conceded to us without the least avoidable delay. This is now the third time that we have thus been meeting at 3'early intervals, we have come from every district, from the most distant portions of this Empire, and in many cases, at the cost of great personal sacrifice. We have nothing personally to gain, no selfish aim to serve. We come together, chosen by our fellow-countrymen, primarily to press upon Government the fact that the country stands badly in need of this reform, and that the entire Nation prays for it. But, unhappily, Government has not as yet listened to our people's prayer ! What is it tliat we see year after year ? People assembling from all parts of India — from the Panjab, Sindh, Assam, Madras, Bengal, Bombay, the N. W. Provinces, Oudh, the Central Provinces, from every Province, from every town— coming together to implore Government huml)ly to grant this reform, which is, after all, their birthriglit as free-born British subjects. It is THE THIRD CONGRESS 45 no desire or motive of self-ambition that brings these people together at such heavy cost, and at such great personal inconvenience. There is no taint of self-interest in the matter. No. Their sole idea is that India, their country, of all things stands badly in need of this fundamental reform and they hope, and God grant that they may not hope in vain, that their unselfish persistence in asking may secure for their native land this great boon ! I cannot possibly believe that there is one single educated Indian, who after studying this ques- tion can rest happy in his mind, without trying his very best to secure this reform. I cannot possibly believe that any good man who once really understands what this re- form truly means for his country and his countrymen, for his kinsmen, his children and himself, can remain in- different to it. And, gentlemen, neither we nor any other intelligent Indians are indifferent to it — and though thus far success has not crowned our efforts, we must only go up to Government again and ask their earliest considera- tion of our demands, or of our prayers (call them which you will), and entreat them, again and again, to concede to us this reform. Gentlemen, it is nothing very great we are asking them to do. The British Government has al- ready made this concession to so many countries. So many Colonies, so many British Colonies enjoj it. Canada, the Cape, the Australian Colonies, innumerable smaller places, even the so-called Crown Colonies, except per- haps the Fiji Islands and some purely military posts, all enjoy some measure, and most of them the fullest measure, of Representative Government. Britain has granted or conceded this concession to all these places. Why should she withhold it from the people of India ? Does she think that we are less loyal than her subjects in other lands ? Australia would break with her to-morrow if she ventui-ed to prevent Australia from taxing British goods, while we, in all good temper, accept an odious income-tax, vilely administered, and imposed not to meet the expenses of our own Government, but to provide funds to enable Great Britain to annex Burma or menace Russia. Does she think we are not prepared for the privilege ? I think this very Congress is 46 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM proof positive of our ripeness for the task, and of the in- telligence and knowledge which would be brought to bear upon the affairs of the nation if only the Government were kind enough to accede to our wishes. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya laid great stress on the neglect of Indian affairs in Parliament, as a cogent reason why India herself should be allowed to look after them. He quoted Mr. Bradlaugh, M.P., who spoke strongly in the House on this neglect : Last year the Budget was considered on June 21st and the year before on August 6th. It was not right to leave to the last moment of the Session the only oppor- tunity that was afforded to Parliament of considering the wishes and the grievances of the 200,000,000 of people whom we rule. That any Parliamentary control should be exercised over the aifairs of India M^as impossible, when the Indian Budget figured upon paper as the 8th order upon one of the last days of an expiring Session. Was it any wonder that India felt indignant ? At this very Budget debate, said the Pandit, 29 members had been present in the House of Commons out of 675 : " How would they like their own affairs to be treated in that way ? Would the}^ I repeat, stand it for one week ? " " They will not do their duty by the country themselves, and they will not allow us to do it." Many other members spoke, and one of them, Mr. A. Kumar Dutt, who brought a petition from over 45,000 persons asking for reform, told of the interest of the people of his Province in the question, and how a Chandala (the lowest class of outcaste) had come forward after his lecture, forgetting all his surroundings and saying : " We are going to have our own men to be our Legislators ; that is THE THIRD CONGRESS 47 very good, that is very good.'^ At another, a very poor Musalman came forward with a four-anna bit " to help on your cause ". Another Musalman ex- plained to an enquirer : " Look here, as we elect our arbitrators and as we hold ourselves bound by the decisions of such people, so let us elect our own men to be our Legislators, and they will pass laws by which Ave will gladly be bound." As the speaker said, the common people have common sense. The Resolution was put and carried unanimously. On the third day, December 29th, the third resolu- tion, demanding the separation of executive and judicial functions was put and carried unanimously, but the feeling in favour of it Avas so strong that two hours were occupied in speeches in support of it. It is interesting to note that it was moved by Mr. N. Subramaniam, an Indian Christian Barrister, and seconded and supported by men of the most diverse opinions on non-political questions. Resolution lY was moved by Mr. Norendranath Sen, who pithily remarked that India needed to be " equally qualified for Self-Govern ment in times of peace, and Self-Defence in times of war ", Mr. Saligram Singh seconded. As the original form only asked admission for the " sons of noblemen and gentlemen of all classes resident in India," amend- ments were proposed, widening its scope, and it Avas finally passed in the all-embracing form found in the list of Resolutions. Resolution V was the same as Resolution XII of the Congress of 1886, but is noteworthy for the 48 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM speech of Mr. (now Sir) Sankaran Nair, who pointing to the troubled state of affairs, and the likelihood of England being involved in war, asked if Indian civilisation was " to be broken into and destroyed by Northern invaders." He went on : Of course, we have this mucli freedom, that we have full liberty to offer our prayers for the success of the Bi'itish Governnient. But prayers, I fear, are not likely to be of much use to us or to them. Is the peace and tranquillity, I say, which we now enjoy, to be ravished from us, without our voices being heard, our arms being raised in the settlement of the dispute P It appears to me absurd to entertain such an idea. It appears to me intolerable, the more especially as even the English themselves cannot assert what the result of the struggle here is likely to be, if India continues debarred from helping herself and them. It is impossible to foresee what will happen, if this policy of Govern- ment, of refusing our co-operation, is persisted in. It appears to be absolutely suicidal and we only hope, equally for our own and their sakes, that the English may not some day regret that she has refused, while there was yet time, and we could have been trained into serviceable allies, those prayers which we have so repeatedly put up in regard to this matter. The Russians have armed their foes of yesterdays to tight on their own behalf to-day, and the result shows that they have been justified in their action. Have we been less loyal to the British than the Turkomans to the Russians, whom they fought with only yesterday ? They lie who say that our loyalty cannot be depended upon in the hour of danger. Some very earnest and warm speeches were deli- vered, the feeling as to the Russian menace being very strong. The Resolution was carried unani- mously, and the Congress then turned to the less exciting question of the income-tax, which was discussed in a very business-like way, and the THE THIRD CONGRESS 49 Resolution thereon was carried unanimously ; therewith the business of the day ended. On the following day, Resolution VII was very earnestly and competently discussed ; a working carpenter — sent with two other artisans from Tanjore — made a very sensible speech, saying, among other things : These factories and workshops, gentlemen, when they spring up, will be a source of gaining an honest liveli- hood to thousands of our countrymen who now, destitute of any means, are driven to despair how to keep body and soul together. And, gentlemen, how welcome will be the day for India, when, by the immense and growing development of her arts and industries, she will be able to find at least a wholesome morsel of food for her 45 millions of completely destitute children, who are now, by official admission, going without even one single full meal a day. How these words recall Shelley's apostrophe to Liberty : To the labourer 1»hou art bread, And a comely table spread. . . . No, in countries that are free Such starvation cannot be As in England now we see. Change " England " into India. The official Report of the Congress remarks on this : Referring to Mr. Mookkanasari's concluding words, it may not be amiss to explain that it is due to no want of sympathy for the miserable half-starving millions of their fellow-countrymen that so little has been said during this last Congress of that cruel poverty which is I year by year decimating the lowest classes and 5 50 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM as many, perhaps a majority, believe is surely, if slowly, creeping higher up the social scale. The fact simply is that since the resumption of the aggressive annexive policy and the enormous increases of taxation, that have, thus far, been the chief features of Lord Duiferin's administration, the Indian communit}' despair of obtaining any material alleviation of the misery they see around them, until they can secure a potential voice in the administration, and it is this conviction, more than anything else, that is giving such an intense earnestness to their efforts in the direction of representation. After this a Resolution to repeal the Arms Act came up, and gave rise to what the official record calls " an animated, almost fiery, discussion which lasted some hours ". It was a question then, as now, whicli cuts Indians to the quick ; as the record says : " No native of India may possess or carry arms without special licence, whereas Europeans, Eurasians, Negroes, Hottentots or Fiji Islanders, any scum of the earth, even, that the ocean casts on India's shores, may wear arms unquestioned,'^ That is the sting; any foreigner may bear arms; the native of the country may not. And it is very curious that Indians carried arms after the Sepoy Rebellion, and were not forbidden them until 1878. The mover of the Resolution, Rao Bahadur Sabapati Mudaliar spoke of the degradation and the slur imposed by the Act, and the practical hardship to the farmers and ryots, unable to protect themselves from wild beasts and robbers. It was seconded by Mr. Bepin Chandra Pal who — though wanting no weapon himself but his steel pen and his sharp tongue — demanded the repeal of the Act to save thousands of men and women from being killed by THE THIB-D CONGRESS 51 tigers and leopards, and also because the Act " is wrong in principle, injurious in its effect, and is simply suicidal to the (jrovernment ". An amendment in favour of modification instead of repeal was proposed, and after mvich discussion, Resolution VIII was car- ried as printed below, the first of many appeals, as righteous as they were, and are, useless. Mr. A. 0. Hume then brought up the report of the Committee appointed by Resolution I, giving a long series of tentative rules, and proposed that they should be circulated to all Standing Committees, and reported with suggestions next year. The Resolution — No. IX — was seconded by Dr. Trailokyanath Mitra and agreed to. Allahabad was chosen for the next Congress, and the foi'mal last Resolution passed. The Congress then closed with the usual vote of thanks. Lord Connemara, the Governor of Madras, Sir Savalai Ramasami Mudaliar, C. I. E., the Sheriff, and Mr. Eardley Norton, an English barrister, practis- ing in Madras, gave entertainnients to welcome the members, and the whole atmosphere of Madras seems to have been friendly. BESOLUTIONS Constitution T. That a Committee is appointed, consisting- of the gentlemen (marginally enumerated*) to consider what rules, if any, may now be usefully framed in regard to the constitution and working of the Congress, with instructions to report thereon to the Congress, on the 30th instant. * Messrs. Nam Joshi, Chandavarkar, Mir Humayun Jah Bahadur, Hajee Mahomed Abdul Shakoor Badshaw Sahib, S. Subra- mania Iyer, W. S. Gantz, Rangiah Naidu, Surendranath Bannerji, 52 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Trailokyanath Miti-a, Kali Charan Banuerji, Guru Prasad Sen, Saligram Singh, Raiukali Cliaudhuri, Ilafiz Abdul Rahim, Ranipal Singh, Pandit Madan Mohun, Ganga Prasad Varnia, Bishen Narayeu Dar, Hamid Ali, Murlidhar, Satyanand Agnihotri, H. H. Dhruva, W. C. Bannerji, Norendranath Sen, Eardley Norton, Joy Govind Shome, Iswari Lai Sircar, G. Subramania Iyer, D. A. Khare, S. A. Saminada Iyer, Sabapathy Mudaliar, A O. Hume, C. Vijiya Raghava Chariar, Govind Buksh, Karandikar. IX. That the rules drafted by the Committee appointed under Resolution I, stand over for consideration till next Congress, but that, in the meantime, copies be circialated to all Standing Congress Committees, with the request that they will, during the coming year, act in accordance with these rules, so far as this may seem to them possible and desirable, and report thereon to the next Congress, with such fui'ther suggestions as to them may seem meet. Repr esentativ e II. That this Congress re-affirms the necessity for the expansion and reform of the Council of the Governor-General for making Laws, and the Provincial Legislative Councils, already set forth in Resolutions III of the Congresses of 1885 and 1886, and expresses the earnest hope that the Government will no longer delay action in the direction of this essential reform. Legal III. That this Congress once again places on record an ex- pression of the universal conviction that a complete separation of the Executive and Judicial functions (such that in no case the two functions shall be combined in the same officer) has become an urgent necessity, and declares that, in its opinion, it behoves the Government to effect this separation, without fm-thcr delay, even though this should, in some provinces, involve some extra expenditure. Military IV. That in view of the loyalty of Her Majesty's Indian subjects, this Congress considers it desirable that the Queen's Proclamation should be given effect to ; that the Military Service in its higher grades should be practically opened to the natives of this country, and that the Government of India should establish Military Colleges in this country, whereat the natives of India, as defined by Statute, may be educated and trained for a niilitary career as officers of the Indian Army. V. That in view of th(! unsettled state of jiublic affairs in Europe, and the immense assistance that tlie people of this country, if duly prepared therefor, are capable of i-endering to Great Britain THE THIRD CONGRESS 53 in the event of any serious conipHcatioua arising, this Congress once again earnestly appeals to the Government to authorise (under such rules and restrictions, as may to it seem fitting,) a system of volun- teering for the Indian inhabitants of the coimtry, such as may qualify them to support the Grovernment, effectively, in any crisis. VIII. That in view of the loyalty of the jjeople, the hardships which the present Arms' Act (XI of 1878) causes, and the unmerited slur which it casts upon the jjeople of this country, the Grovernment be moved so to modify the jirovisions of Chapter IV and, if necessary, other portions of the said Act, as shall enable all persons to possess and wear arms, unless debarred therefrom, either as individuals or members of particular communities or classes, by the orders of the Government of India (or any local authority empowered by the Government of India on that behalf) for reasons to be recorded in writing and duly published. Taxation VI. That as the administration of the Income-Tax, especially, as regards incomes below Ks. 1,000, has proved extremely unsatis- factory, it is essential, in the opinion of the Congress, that the tax- able minimum be raised to Rs. 1,000, the loss of revenue thus in- volved, being made good, and further financial difficulties, if any, met, by reductions in the existing public expenditure, or, shoixld this prove impossible, by the re-imposition of an import duty on the finer classes of cotton goods. Educational VII. That having regard to the poverty of the people, it is desirable that the Government be moved to elaborate a system of Technical Education, suitable to the condition of the country, to encourage indigenous manufactures by a more strict observance of the orders, already existing, in regard to utilising such manufac- tures for State purposes, and to employ more extensively, than at present, the skill and talents of the people of the country. Formal Business X. That the Fourth Indian National Congress assemble at Allahabad, on the 26th December, 1888. XI. That copies of these Resolutions be forwarded to His Excellency the Viceroy-in-Council with the humble request, that he will cause all the Resolutions to be laid before Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, and that he himself will be graciously pleased, in consultation with his colleagues, to accord them his best consideration. CHAPTER IV " The Fourth Indian National Congress was heralded by a tumultuous outbreak of opposition." Thus re- marks the official Record, on beginning its summary of the Fourth Congress, that of 1888. It met in Allahabad, and Sir Auckland Colvin signalised him- self by his opposition, while Lord Duiferin, the Viceroy, had the bad taste to attack it and brand it as seditious in a banquet given him on his leaving office. The most outrageous efforts were made to prevent its being held in Allahabad. The Chairman of the Reception Committee recounted, in his speech of welcome, the obstacles which the Committee had had to surmount, for all the re-actionary and tyrannical elements in India had risen against the Congress, terri- fied at its growing strength. They were first informed that they could use the Khusro Bagh, but the per- mission was, a little later, withdrawn. Then, in April, they were given permission to rent a large piece of waste land near the fort ; four months later the rent was returned, with the information that it was refused on sanitary grounds. Thirdly, they secured a group of houses belonging to friends, but these were near TJie Pioneer o^ce, and as this was intolerable to THE FODRTH CONGRESS 65 the stately journal, and some of the houses were with- in Cantonment limits, the military authorities refused to allow these to be used, and so all were rendered impossible. Finally, just seven weeks before the meeting — while the authorities were chuckling over their success — a representative of the Reception Committee slipped quietly over to Lucknow, with a carefully drawn lease and the rent in his pocket, went to a Nawab whose splendid house in Allahabad, standing in large grounds, happened to be vacant, and persuaded him to accept the rent and sign the lease. On the very next day, the Reception Committee walked in and took possession, and Lowther Castle, in the very middle of the civilian quarter, nodded to its next- door neighbour. Government House, where Sir Auck- land Colvin fumed in helpless wrath. It was outside the Cantonments, so the military authorities could not again interfere, and the lease foiled the civilians. So there the Congress met, and a huge pandal was raised, seating 5,000 j^ersons, while a splendid shamiana (tent) lent by the Maharaja of Darbhanga, served as a general reception room, and another was lent by a Muhammadan nobleman to serve as a reading-room, almost every paper in India — except the Anglo-Indian — being sent gratuitously ; round these arose blocks of tents, divided by wide roads, each block having its own dining and meeting halls, the whole forming a finely decorative cit}^ while Lowther Castle itself was used for the President, Secretaries and leading delegates, with all the business offices. A quarter was set aside for shops, where salesmen 56 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM offered the beautiful Indian manufactures of the U. P., but, the Report says, spirituous liquors and intoxi- cants of all kinds were rigidly excluded. An attempt at counter-opposition to the Congress movement was made, and some Anti-Congress Associ- ations were formed, attended by the officials, adding much warmth and enthusiasm to the Congress ; and many secret gifts reached it at Lowther Castle, the Nicodemuses coming by night and the anxiety that the names of the stivers should not be known being pathetic. Nor was it unreasonable, for one means of oppt'ession often resorted to then, as now, was demanding heavy security for good behaviour, with- out any charge being made. A gentleman who had attended the Madras Congress, " in defiance of his district officer, a most rabid anti-Congressman," was called on to give security of Rs. 20,000 to keep the peace. He gave it and went away, feeling that if he appealed and won his case, there would be some serious charge made up against him by the police. " In one district of the Panjab, in one year, security for good behaviour, etc., was demanded from between 5,000 and 6,000 people. Free English people should realise something of all this, before they condemn our poor people too strongly for not having the courage of their convictions." This was written in 1889, long before there was any " unrest ". The Report says : Whether there is any wisdom in a system of persecu- tion, that, Avliile it stimulates to greater activity in secret, keeps nearly three-fourths of a movement . like the THE FOURTH CONGRESS 57 Congress out of sight, we must leave it to others to decide. But this much is certain : The Congress idea has now obtained such a hold upon the mind of the country that no earthly power can extinguish it. If ten thousand of the most prominent Congressmen were de])(j]'ted to-morrow, the idea would still creep on, spreading from mind to mind, till it had seized every man, woman and child amongst the Indian population, ever growing stronger and stronger in every mind which had received the seed. It is essentially beneficent in its character and, in its open growth, instinct with peace and goodwill to men. Official opposition and persecution will not only add to its growth, Imt will operate to convert an open, above-board, constitutional movement, into a secret, underground, and, therefore, unconstitutional one. There was towards the close of Lord Lytton's administration a great deal of secret organisation for unavowed, and, probably, even to its originators scarcely understood, purposes : though none who have studied history can doubt in what this would have eventuated. It has been the chief glory of the Congress movement that, aided by the enthusiasm elicited by good Lord Ripon's sympathetic rule, it has swept away all this fungoid undergrowth, and sweetened all political agitation by working it out into the wholesome light of the open day. It will be the fault of the Bureaucracy — and the Bureaucracy alone — if, by the unconstitutional abuse of their authority and powers, they drive a portion of the national energy back into the old, disused and illegitimate channels. Alike for England and India, whose fortunes are now inextricably interwoven, no more gravely significant question exists at the present day for consideration. If England only invites and welcomes the confidence of India, and receives, with kindly consideration, the loyal suggestions (not necessarily adopting all, but treating them with the respect to which they are entitled) of the Congress which, year by year, more and more thoroughly represent the views of the whole thinking portion of the nation, all will be well for both countries. As a great Indian Prince recently said, after hearing the resolutions 58 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM passed at the several Congresses : " If only these things be conceded, the rule of the British in India will last for ever." But if Viceroy's and other high functionaries are to be permitted to sneer at and misrepresent the aspira- tions of a great nation, if subordinate officials are to be allowed unconstitutionally to oppose loyal political movements and persecute honest and earnest men for temperately and candidly setting forth what they hold to be their grievances and the best methods of redressing these — if England fancies, in a word, that she can maintain by fear a rule that only love can immortalise, then serious troubles only too probably await both countries. The development of tlie Congress movement during 1888 was very great ; hundreds of thousands of pamphlets and leaflets were distributed, hundreds of men travelled and gave lectures, and, as a result, three millions of men " took a direct part in the elections for the delegates ". In Calcutta the women of some of the highest Hindu families discussed the " Kangress," and in Allahabad some even quarrelled with old friends because they were " anti " ; some even did pnja (offered worship) for it. The result of all this was that the number of delegates attending doubled that of Madras in 1887 ; 1,500 were elected and 1,248 attended. They were thus made up : Madras ... 95 Bombay and Sindh ... 163 Pan jab ... 80 N. W. P. (feOudh ... 583 C. P. & Berar ... 73 Bengal, Behar, Orissa & Assam ... 254 1,248 THE FOURTH CONGRESS 59 Moulvi Muhammad Hidayut Rasul explained the large band of delegates from Oudh as " due to the kindness of our brethren in the Aligarh camp — the opponents of the Congress ". This doubling of delegates was the more remarkable, as each delegate was, for the first time, required to pay a fixed fee before taking his seat. The Congress opened on December 26th, 1888, at 2 p.m., the Hon. Pandit Ayudhianath, the Chairman of the Reception Committee, in the chair. He gave the details above mentioned as to their tribulations in house-hunting, and protested warmly against the unwarrantable accusations made by Sir Auckland Colvin and Lord Duiferin, resenting especially the letter of the former to " our most esteemed but much abused friend, Mr, Hume ". The Hon. Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta proposed and Sardar Dayal Singh seconded the election of Mr. Yule as President. Sheikh Raza Hassein Khan, in supporting the election, produced a Fatwa, support- ing the Congress, from the Shamsulnlma, the leader of the Sunni community of Lucknow, and declared that " it is not the Muhammadans, but their official masters, who are opposed to the Congress ". Mr. Yule, in his presidential speech, argued for the right of representation, pointing out that in 1858, the objection raised to the Bill for the Government of India brought in by Lord Palmerston was that it gave no representation. Mr. Disraeli, succeeding almost immediately, brought in another Bill, in which he regretted that the unsettled state of the country 60 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM made representation impossible at that time, and sug- gested a queer hybrid scheme which was withdrawn, and a third scheme was brought in, a provisional one, to continue while education spread so as to enable the poli- tical powers of Indians to be enlarged. The House of Commons, meanwhile, was to regard India as "a great and solemn trust committed to it by an all-wise and inscrutable Providence ". " The 650 odd mem- bers,^' said Mr. Yule caustically, had thrown the trust " back upon the hands of Providence, to be looked after as Providence itself thinks best ". The Congress was only asking for that which, thirty years before, the Grovernment declared to be desirable. India had an immense trade, but no member of the mercantile class had power to influence the laws controlling it. India paid £77,000,000 in taxes, and not a man of the country had a voice in its disposal. It had 3,300,000 students, a number only lately reached in England, and they should supply material for some representatives. " In England, we should be trusted citizens. In India, well, the charitably minded among our opponents say that we are incipient traitors." A Subjects' Committee was then elected, the country being divided into Circles, and a number of members being appointed to each, 106 in all, each circle electing its own members. The first thing next day was the presentation of a silver casket containing rupees to the President, the rupees for Congress expenses, the casket for himself. Resolution I up to the words " Resolution IV of the Congress of 1886," was then proposed THE FOURTH CONGRESS 61 by the Hon. Mr, K. T. Telang, who, in moving it, effectively answered Sir Auckland Colvin's and Lord Dufferin's attacks. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji seconded, remarking that he was thankful for the opposition to the Congress. " Causes the noblest, the most beneficent, the most far reaching in their consequences for good, have never pros- pered or triumphed except under the stress of adverse criticism." Moreover Lord Dufferin's attack had reached the English Nation, and Mr. Gladstone, who three months before had not known the pro- gramme of the Congress, had said, speaking at a great meeting : " It will not do for us to treat with contempt; or even with indifference, the rising aspirations of this great peoj)le." Mr. Bannerji remarked on the extreme moderation of their pro- posals — and in truth they were absurdly moderate. The}" asked to substitute for the one-third non-official members who Avere nominated, one half non-official members, who should be elected ; they asked that the Budgets for which they supplied the money should be submitted to them, and that they should have the j right of interpellation and calling for papers. 27 i years have passed, and these demands are but very j partially granted. Pandit Bishan Narayan Dhar ! assured his hearers that " if you go on making your I appeal with fairness, courage and moderation to the I great English Nation, they will assuredly respond to your prayers, for as the harp responds to the harper's touch, so does the great deep heart of England respond to every reasonable prayer for justice and 6 62 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM freedom ". A very beautiful simile^ and it is true, except in the case of India, where the harp has been touched for thirty years, and has not yet moved that heart to respond. Lala Lajpat Rai — whose name, so loved and honoured now, appears for the first time among the Congress speakers — very usefully quoted the opinions of Sir Syed Ahmed, who Avas a sti'ong opponent of the Congress, but who, in his book, Canutes of the Indian Revolt, written in 1858, had stated " that the people should have a voice in its Councils " was necessary to the stability of the Government, so as to " warn us of dangers before they burst upon and destroy us ". " The evils which came to India," wrote Sir Syed, " from the non-admission of natives into the Legislative Councils of India were various." At the time Sir Syed wrote, even nominees of Government to the Council Avere not allowed. Mr. S. Ramaswami Mudaliar placed a simple fact before the Congress, showing that the Resolution did not advocate a leap in the dark : Gentlemen, while we are humbly praying our Govern- ment to grant us some small representative element in the Government, we have actually got full-blown represen- tative institutions flourishing in this country under our very noses. I do not know Avliether you are aware how they are flourishing in Pondicherry and other places which are subject to the French Government. England will not as yet allow us the smallest modicum of repre- sentati\'e institutions, but in Pondicherry every man has a right to elect his representative. He enjoys manhood suffrage ! Not only that, Imt the people of Pondicherry THE FOURTH CONGRESS 63 have got a member of their own in the Chamber of Deputies and another in the Senate. Then in Pondi- cherry itself they have got a Council which is called the Council-General, and which meets every year, and this is an elective body elected by the whole people. Before this Council is placed the Annual Budget, and the Bud- get is fully discussed by the members. The Budget is there threshed out by that body, and it is not until, after this discussion, it has been approved that it comes into operation. Gentlemen, it is said that we are not tit for representative institutions, but it is our fellow country- men, our relatives in many cases, no better educated than, and in no wise diiferent from ourselves, whom the French Government has found to be fitted, not only for the small instalment of representative institutions that we ask for, but for fully-developed representative institutions, inclu- ding manhood suffrage, which none of us ever even dream of demanding. I commend this fact to the careful con- sideration of our opponents, who deny our fitness for even those small reforms we crave. It would hardly be possible to imagine an argu- ment more cogent, a contrast more poignant. A most extraordinary incident then occurred. Kaja Shiva Prasad, who had become notorious as a leader of the anti-Congress movement, had by some curious accident obtained election at a public meeting at Benares, and claimed his seat as a delegate. He rose to move an amendment, and used his time in attacking the Congress and presented as an amend- ment a draft of a petition to the Lieut. -Governor, quoting without references supposed statements made in unnamed pamphlets and articles, till the President stopped him, as the petition was in no sense an amendment ; whereupon the egregious Raja sat down, and the Congress became serious again. A proposal 64 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM was made, seconded and accepted, to add to the Re- solution the concluding words as printed, and it was then carried unanimously. Mr. Eardley Norton made a vigorous speech in moving Resolution II ; he quoted the views of Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Charles Grant. Sir Robert Peel had declared that the duty of England was " to endeavour while we still keep them under British rule, to atone to them for the sufferings they endured, and the wrongs to which they were exposed in being reduced to that rule, and to afford them such advantages and confer on them such benefits as may in some degree console them for the loss of their independence. These, Sir, are considera- tions which, whatever may be the anxiety to extend British conquest, and to maintain the rights of British subjects, must indisputably be entertained in a British Parliament." The fact is that during the rule of the East India Company, Parliament interfered at 20 years' intervals to check the oppres- sion of the Indian people. After 1858, Parliament grew indifferent, and a Bureaucracy developed. Mr. Norton said that, as an Englishman, he was ashamed of England's broken promises to India. He quoted the Duke of Argyll, avIio said that they had not ful- filled " the promises and engagements which we have made," and Lord Lytton who said that the Indians had been " cheated " of their liopes. The Hon. Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta briefiy seconded, but the Resolu- tion was not in the form finally passed, but approved and recited the report of the Congress of 1886. THE FOURTH CONGRESS 65 Mr. John Adam moved and Mr. Sankara Menon seconded an amendment, acknowledging that the proposals of the Public Services Commission were an improvement, and reaffirming Resolution lY of the Congress of 1885. On this the Congress adjourned. The third day began by sending a telegram of thanks and good wishes to Mr. John Bright, then lying ill, and after this Mr. Ramaswami Mudaliar moved another amendment, suggesting that the consideration of the questions dealt with by the Public Service Commission be postponed to the next Con- gress, and the Hon. Mr. K. T. Telang seconded. Then Mr. Monomohan Ghose proposed Resolution II as it stands below, and Mr. N. D. Chandavarkar seconded. The original resolution and the various amendments were withdraAvn, and the Resolution unanimously carried. Resolution III, re-affirming Resolution XI of the Con- gress of 1886 was carried unanimously, and then Re- solution IV, embodying three former ones, was carried, the only noticeable point being the first appearance of Mr. N. Subba Rao as a speaker. I like to note the coming on to the stage of one after another of our present workers. Perhaps one of the most sarcastic and eifective speeches ever delivered on the Police introduc- ed Resolution V on Police Administration ; the mover was Munshi Sajjad Husain, the editor of the Lucknow Punch. He spoke in Urdu, but even the translation is delightful. The British Grovernment had bestowed on them many blessings. 66 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and had also given them the Police. No Lieut. - Governor^ no Viceroy, had such power over his com- fort as a simple chowkidar or his honour the constable. The humblest labourer in the village, the most exalted noble in the city, tire equally under the control of these distinguished officials. There is no place, no spot, where Their Highnesses the Police, like the Angel of Death, are not present. Let a man displease them in the slightest, and see the beneticence of our kind Police. He may know nothing about it, but there will be a criminal case tiled against him, and arrangements made for requiring him to give security for good behaviour, before he can reach his home. On the whole, the editor of Punch thought that the Police were more troublesome to the honest people than to the thieves and badmashes, and the investigation into a theft was more annoying than the robbery. So let other people advocate reforms of Legislative Councils and other such questions. He wanted the reform of the Police. Mr. R. N. Mndholkar seconded the Resolution in an admirable speech, pointing out that the policeman, who ought to be loved, was detested, because, being shamefully underpaid and quite illiterate, he was invested with enormous powers, so that he could annoy and insult all around him with impunity. Mr. Pringle noted the importance of the Resolution, be- cause the police, like the poor, were always with us, and he gave instances of their ill behaviour, declaring that " to the character and conduct of the police in my own part of the country I can speak with confi- dence, and can boldly assert that it leaves almost everything to be desired ". One after another rose, THE FOURTH CONGRESS 67 all speaking in the same strain, and the Resolution, asking for a Commission of Enquiry, was carried unanimously. Then came the reafRnnation of three military re- solutions passed at previous Congresses, and much stress was laid on the enormous cost of English sol- diers, and the remark of Lord Randolph Churchill was quoted that the new taxation, Avhich was wholly " a consequence of the foreign rule imposed on the country " was " a serious political danger .... of the most serious order ". Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji remarked that he might have a West Indian servant who might carry arms, while his Indian master might not. Amendments were proposed, modifying or omitting one part of the Resolution or another ; especially as regarded the Arms Act, but the Hon. Mr. P. M. Mehta urged that " you cannot and ought not to emasculate a whole nation. . . . Remember, that when once the Indian people become emas- culated, it will be a very long time indeed before you can get them to recover their manliness and their vigour," and the Resolution was finally carried by a large majority. Mr. D. E. Wacha moved a less vigorous form of Resolution VII, asking that the Government would look into the question of Abkari and Excise, and rejoiced that the Congress had taken up the question. But an amendment was agreed to, which was shorter and more pointed, and was carried unanimously. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya proposed Resolu- tion VIII, and at the close of his speech warmly 68 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM protested against the assertion by a high official that the promises in the Queen's Proclamation of 1858 " were made more as a matter of policy than in honest good faith," and read an extract from a letter from the Queen, showing Her Majesty's wish that the Indians should be " placed on an equality with the subjects of the British Crown," and saying that she was " giving them pledges whicli her future reign is to redeem ". The learned Pandit remarked that '' we hope and trust they will be soon redeemed ". He is still hoping and trusting. After other speeches, the Eesolution was carried and the Congress adjourned. The fourth day of the Congress opened with the gift of a hall for the Divisional Congress in the Southern Maratlia country by Mr. Ramachandra Bahdeva Apte, and the mention of innumerable letters and telegrams of congratulation. Mr. Adam, the Principal of Pachaiyappa's College, then moved Resolution IX on Education, saying that they desired " to extend primary education, to broaden secondary education, and to maintain at the highest now possible, and an ever rising level, higher education ". He complained that Government policy in education was retrograde, and that Schools and Colleges were being- closed for want of support from the Imperial Government. The Hon. Mr. K. T. Telang seconded, complaining that while Government had always money for its very varied activities, it gave only 1 per cent of its revenues to education. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer supported, urging that only by the spread of education could the country THE FOURTH CONGRESS 69 adapt itself to the abandonment of old ways and the acceptance of new, brought about by the English connexion, and that there was a growing idea, which he hiiBself did not share, that the check to higher education was an answer to the Congress demands for political power. Other speakers followed and the Resolution was unanimously passed. As it was Mr. (Iladstone's birthday a telegram of good wishes was then sent ainid loud applause. Rai Tej Narayan Singh Bahadur next moved Reso- lution X, asking for a Commission to enquire into the industrial condition of the country, and it was second- ed by Mr. Ananda Charlu. Some of the delegates wished to add riders on emigration and on technical schools, but the Resolution as it stood was eventually carried. Then Mr. W. C. Bannerji — after a pro- posal on Land Settlement had been made and with- drawn — moved Resolution XI, submitting the Reso- lutions to the Viceroy and Her Majesty's Government, and asking for a Parliamentary Committee to look into the grievances complained- of. In 1885 the Con- gress had asked for a Royal Commission, but they asked now only for a Parliamentary Committee as swifter in its action, and appealed to Mr. Bradlangh, M. P., to support their prayer. He again declared that the British public, " a truth-loving and a justice-loving public," would give them what they wanted. Pandit Bishambhar Nath, in seconding, remarked that if Sir Auckland Colvin had been in that assembly, he would have seen that " the creation of a healthy tone of independence in India," which he declared was 70 HOW INDIA WROUrxHT FOR FREEDOM impossible, was developing hand-in-haiid with en- thusiastic loyalty to Her Majesty's Throne. After four other speakers had supported it, the Resolution was carried unanimously. Resolution XII was moved by Captain Banon in a strong speech, and seconded by Captain Hearsay, who pointed out that over 2,000 Indian women were procured by Grovernment " for the hideous purpose alluded to," that the provision encouraged the boy-soldiers to loose living, and that it would be better to encourage the soldiers to marry. The resolution was supported by Mr. Howard and Moulvi Muhammed Hafiz, and car- ried unanimously. Resolution XIII was then warmly supported and passed, so as to avoid the acceptance of any resolution dealing with a purely Hindu or Muhammadan question against the will of those who would be affected by it — a resolution bearing witness to the sagacity and impartiality of the Congress. The question of Permanent Settlement, which had been withdrawn, was again brought up by a show of hands in favour of it, and a resolution on it was pro- posed, seconded and supported. The question was felt to be of such magnitude, that an amendment. Reso- lution XIV, proposed by the Hon. Mr. K. T. Telang, was unanimously passed, the original resolution being withdrawn. Resolution XV had been rejected by the Standing Committee as useless, but was insisted on by the Congress and unanimously carried. Bombay or Poona was then chosen for the next Congress, and Mr. A. 0. Hume was, amid great applause, " re- elected " General Secretary, It is curious that this THE FOURTH CONGRESS 71 is the first resolution on the record with regard to a General Secretary, an office filled practically by Mr. Hume from the first Congress. His courage, the attacks made on him, and his devotion, marked him out for the post. A vote of thanks to the President followed, and the Fourth Congress Avas dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Representation I. Resolved — That this Congress affirms the necessity for the expansion and reform of the Council of the Governor-General for making laws and regulations, and of the existing Provincial Legislative Councils, already set forth in Resolutions III of the Congress of 1885 and 1886, and Resolution II of the Congress of 1887 (a tentative scheme for which expansion and reform was suggested in Resolution IV of the Congress of 1886) ; and further urges that a Legislative Council (of the same character as those which have been suggested for Provinces where Legislative Councils already exist) be established for the Punjab. Public Service II. Resolved — That this Congress, while appreciating the concessions proposed in the Report of the Public Service Commission, yet feels it necessary to put distinctly on record its opinion that full justice will never be done to the people of this country until the open competitive examination for the Civil Service of India is held simultaneously in England and in India. Legal III. Resolved — That this Congress, having read and considered Resolution XI of the Congress of 1886, to wit — (See Resolution XI, 1886) and Resolution III of the Congress of 1887, to the same eifect, does now, hereby, affirm the same respectively. IV. Resolved — That this Congress, having read and considered Resolution VIII of the Congi-ess oi^ 1886, to wit — (See Resolution VIII, 1886) Resolution IX of the Congress of 1886, to wit — (See Resolution IX, 1886) and Resolution X of the Congress of 1886, to wit — (See Resolution X, 1886) does now, hereby, affirm the same respectively. 72 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Police V. Resolved — That, as it is the general belief of the people of this country that the existing system of police administration in India is highly unsatisfactory in itself and oppressive to them, the Government be respectfully urged to ajipoint a Commission, con- sisting of oilicial and non-official members, to investigate the entire qnestion as speedily as possible. Military VI. Resolved — That tliis Congress having read and considered Resolution IV of the Congress of 1887, to wit — (See Resolution IV, 1887) Resolution XII of the Congress of 1886, and Resolution V of the Congress of 1887, to wit — (See Resolution XII, 1886, and Resolution V, 1887) and Resolution VIII of the Congress of 1887, to wit-- (Soe Resolution VIII, 1887) does now, hereby, affirm the same respectively. Temperance VII. Resolved — That, having regard to the fact that a serious increase in the consumption of intoxicants has taken place under the systems of Abkari and Excise now prevailing in India, the flovernment be respectfully urged to adopt some such improved system as shall tend to discourage insobriety. Taxation VIII. Resolved — That as the administration of the Income Tax, especially as regards incomes below Rs. 1,000, has pros-ed extremely unsatisfactory, it is essential, in the opinion of the Congress, tliat the taxable minimum be raised to Rs, 1,000. Education IX. Resolved — That this Congress being of opinion that it is the first duty of the British Government in India to foster and encourage education, as well general as technical, in all its branches, and that the declaration made in the recent resolution of the Govern- ment of India on the subject of education is calculated to encourage the tendency to reduce imperial expenditure on education, and to withdraw from the control of it, respectfully urges upon Govern- ment the extreme importance of increasing, or at any rate of not decreasing, the present expenditure on education, and of the Government continuing to control the Educational Institutions of all kinds now existing. THE FOURTH C0NGRE.S8 73 X. Resolved — That having regard to the poverty of the people, tlie importance of eucoui-aging indigenous manufactures, and the dilticTilty of practically introducing any general system of technical education with the present imperfect information, Government be moved to delay no longer the appointment of a mixed Commission, to eni|uirc into the present industrial ccmdition of the comitry. Request for a Parliamentary Committee XI. Resolved — That the foregoing Resolutions be submitted for the favourable consideration of His Excellency the Viceroy, and for transmission by him to Her Majesty's Government, with the humble request of this Congress that the reforms suggested in the said Resolutions (based as most of these are on Her Gracious Majesty's Proclamation of 1858, may now be effected ; and that should it be deemed necessai-y first to institute any enquiry into any of the matters forming the subjects of these Resolutions, siich enquiry may be made, as si^eedily as posi?ible, by a Parliamentary Committee. Prostitution XII. Resolved — -That this Congress, having M^atched with interest aiid sympathy the exertions that are being made in England for the total abrogation of laws and rules relating to the regulation of prostitution by the State in India, places on record its ajoprecia- tion of the services thus rendered to this country, and its desire to co-operate by all means in its power in the attainment of this Inud- rilile object. Congress Constitution XIII. Resolved — -That no subject shall be passed for discussion by the Subjects Committee, or allowed to be discussed at any Congress by the President thereof, to the introduction of which the Hindu or Muhammadan Delegates as a body object, unanimously or nearly unanimously ; and that if, after the discussion of any subject which has been admitted for discussion, it shall appear that all the Hindu or all the Muhammadan Delegates as a bodj' are unanimously or nearly unanimously opposed to the Resolution which it is proposed to pass thereon, such Resolution shall be dropped ; provided that this rule shall refer only to subjects in regard to which the Congress has not already definitely pronounced an opinion. Permanent Settlement XIV. Resolved — That the question of the introduction of a Permanent Settlement of the Land Revenue Demand into the Madras and Bombay Presidencies and other Provinces be referred to the several standing Congress Committees, with instructions to report upon the same, in so far as it affects their respective circles, to the Congress of 1889. 74 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM Salt Tax XV. Resolved — Thut this Couiire.ss puts on record its dis- upproval of the recent enhancement of the Salt Tax, as involving a perceptible increase to the burthens of the poorer classes, as also the partial absorption, in a time of peace and plenty, of the only Financial Reserve of the Empire. Formal XVI. Resolved — That the Fifth Indian National Congress do assemble in the Bombay Presidency (either at Bombay itself or at Poona, as niav be settled hereafter) on the 26th of December, 1889. XVII. Resolved— That Mr. A. O. Hume be re-appointed General Secretary for the ensuing year. CHAPTER V The Congress of 1889 was signalised by the extra- ordinaiy welcome given by it, and by India, to Mr. Charles Bradlaugli, M. P., that noble English Democrat, who might say with Thomas Paine : " The world is my country, and to do good my religion " ; for wherever there was a country striving to free itself from oppression, there his trumpet-voice rang out for Liberty, there he stood in the breach to defend and to strengthen. " Member for India,^' he was rightly called, for he spoke for her in the Council Chamber of the Empire. The Fifth Congress met in Bombay on December 26th, 1889, and found there warm welcome, the clouds which lowered over Allahabad having wholly dissolved away. Sir Albert Sassoon lent the site for the great temporary Hall, into which 6,000 people packed themselves, 1,913 of whom were dele- gates. 2,500 delegates had been elected, 1,889 register- ed their names, and another 24 paid for their tickets, but unfortunately did not i^egister. Grlancing over the register, we find people of all professions and trades from all parts of the country — princes, land- lords, peasants, merchants, contractors, barristers, 76 HOW INDIA WliOUOHT FOE FREEDOM vakils, pleaders, solicitors, attorneys, .principals, headmasters, professors, teachers, editors, money- lenders, bankers, brokers, manufacturers, traders, shopkeepers, artisans, doctors, sardars, printers, authors, reises, taluqdars, a judge, a munsift', nine clergymen and missionaries, and ten ladies, seven of whom were Indians. A striking fact is the large number of merchants and zemindars, and also of secretaries of public l)odies, numicipal commissioners and members of boards. The delegates divided by Provinces were : Madras ... :Mi6 Bombay and 8iiidh ... Panjab N.W.PandOudh ... 821 ... 62 ... 261 C.P. and Berai- ... 214 Bengal, Beliar, Orissa, Assam ... 165 1,889 Bombay sent 38^ delegates to the Bombay Congress of 1885, and to this Bombay Congress in 1889 it sent 821. There were 2 Muhammadans at the first Congress, 254 at the fifth. Comment is needless. Mr. Pherozeshah M. Mehta Avas the Chairman of the Reception Committee, and to him fell, therefore, the pleasant duty of welcoming the Congress, and of a.sking it to elect formally its President. He spoke of "the nationalising tendency which is now so power- fully leavening New India," and after alluding to the way in which the Congress had surmounted all diffi- culties, he welcouu^d him " whom we have learned to hail as the Member for India in the British House of THE PIPTH CONGRESS 77 Commons," on Avliom had descended the mantle of John Bright and Professor Fawcett. Mr. W. C. Bannerji then proposed, the Hon. Pandit Ayodhyanath seconded, and Raja T. Rama Rao supported, the election of Sir William Wedder- burn as President, and he took the Chair amid enthu- siastic cheers. Sir William Wedderburn laid stress on the destruc- tion of the safeguards — which existed in the time of the East India Company in Parliamentary control and periodical enquiry — by the Crown taking over the Government of India in 1858, from which he dated India's principal misfortunes. He showed how the India Office had strangled the scheme for Agricultural Banks, sent up by Lord Ripon, saying that it was not "■ practicable ". " I wonder," said Sir William, " whether Sir J. Clorst is aware that in Germany alone there are 2,000 such Agricultural Banks in active working, and that throughout the Continent of Europe it is admitted that without such financial institutions the peasant proprietor is absolutely unable to maintain himself without falling into the clutches of the village usurer." He praised the work of the Congress, and of the Congress Agency in England, with " its indefatigable Secretary Mr. William Digby," and rejoiced over the going to England of a depu- tation to appeal to the people of England " to perform their trust and duty towards the unrepresented millions of India : appeals to unselfishness, to justice and to humanity will ever find a sure response from ' the great heart of the British people ". The response 78 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM has not yet reached India ; it has a long way to come. Two presentations were made to the President, at the close of his address, towards the expenses of the Congress, with a book and a silver salver as me- mentoes for himself. Th^ names of the delegates elected from each circle to the Subjects Committee — • among which we note that of Mr. B. G. Tilak — were then read out, 107 in number, and ratified by Con- gress, the President and Secretary making 109, sitting on it e,v ufficAu, and the Congress adjourned to the following day, leaving the Committee to its labours. The second day^s sitting began with the presentation of the report from the Standing Committee of Madras, but none other was forthcoming. Mr. Pherozeshah M. Mehta then proposed Resolution I; he said it was impos- sible to present all the addresses and telegrams which had come pouring in from all parts of the country, so it was better to frame an address to Mr. Bradlaugh from the Congress and take the rest as read. The Hon. Pandit Ayodhyanath and Mr. John Adam seconded and supported, and the resolution was carried by acclamation. The President then opened the important business of the day, the reform of the Jjegislative Councils, saying that a draft Bill had been prepared by Mr. Bradlaugh and circulated, embodying the view of the Congress as so far expressed. Mr. Bradlaugh wish- ed to obtain the mature opinion of the Indian people on certain matters, so that they might ])e embodied in THE FIFTH CONGRESS 79 the Bill. Certain proposals had therefore been draft- ed^ and must be considered. Mr. Eardley Norton moved Resolution II with the Scheme, giving an outline of principles to be emV)odied in a Bill. The existing Councils were shams, and they demanded to be given half of each Council, " to do with as we choose". Given this principle of election : " We shall have the right to control ourselves ; we shall have the right, to a certain extent, to control our taxation ; we shall have the right to criticise the Budget ; and last, but not least, we shall have the glorious privilege of interpellation, a right which, if properly applied, will inure to the enormous benefit both of the rulers and of the ruled," The indirect method of election was proposed, because there was no chance of ob- taining direct, and because the various bodies al- ready existing. Municipalities, Boards, Universities, etc., would really give to (lovernment the power of manipulating the electorates. The Hon. Pandit Ayodhyanath, in seconding, said that the existing Councils were a farce, and Pandit Bishen Narayan Dhar remarked that if the Government really wished to know the opinion of the people, the principle of election must be accepted : The chief plank of the Congress platform is the elective principle, and we are not going to be satisfied with a thing' that will be a snare, a mockery, and a de- lusion, leading men to believe that they have something which they do not really possess. What we want is not sham, but reality ; not shadow, but substance ; not nomi- nation, which is another name for deception, but represen- tation, which is the essence of political reform. 80 HOW TNDIA WKOFGHT FOB FREEDOM Among the speakers who supported the resolution were Mr. (1. Subramania I^^er, Mr. Bepiu Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya — who showed, by the increase of tlie Salt Tax and the compelling of the ryot to pay the Patwari Cess twice over, how much out of touch with the poor were the nominated members — and Mr. Suren- dranath Bannerji, who once more expressed his certainty that there could " come but one response, which, I am confident, will be in accord with the great traditions of the English people, and will serve to consolidate the foundations of British rule in India, and to hroad-base it upon the affections of a happy, prosperous and contented people ". Congress speakers show a remarkable readiness to prophesy, with an ecpially remarkable failure to prophesy correctly. The Scheme was put clause by clause, and 1 and 2 passed unchallenged. On clause 3 it Avas moved, unsuccessfully, to strike out the word " male," so tliat qualified women might vote. On clause 5 an amendment Avas moved by Mr. Tilak and seconded by Mr. Clokhale, that the Imperial Council should be elected by the Provincial Councils, instead of by the Electoral College. The amendment is noteworthy as coming from two strong men, speaking in the Congress for the first time, men who Avere to leaA'e on Indian history an ineffaceable mark. 'J'lie amendment Avas lost, as Avas another leaAnng the representatiA'es of minorities to be nominated by GoA'ernment. A liA^ely little incident then occurred, one of the Musalman delegates making a violent speech, THE FIFTH CONGE ESS 81 in which he ckiimed that his co-religionists should be elected in equal numbers with Hindus although the population was smaller ; the proposition was seconded, but was also opposed by Musalmans, who regarded it as unjust; finally the original clause was carried by an overwhelming majority of both communities, and the Congress was adjourned. The third day, December 28th, was overloaded with business, and the Congress, this year, met for three days only; a meeting was fixed at 6 p. m. for the presentation of an address to Mr. Bradlaugh, so the sitting had to close at 5. The first business was the passing of Resolution III, an " Omnibus Resolution," in which were re-afiirmed, in ten clauses, important decisions arrived at in previous Congresses. It was moved by Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji, seconded by Mr. N. Gr. Chandavarkar, and supported by Mr. S. B. Senkaram, who stated that he was a Brahmana and a Volunteer, having been admitted to the Vizagapatam Rifle Volunteer Corps. The Resolution was then carried. Resolution IV was proposed by the Rev. CI. M. Cobban, and seconded by Mr. D. B. Wacha, who pointed out that the House of Commons had directed the Government of India to modify their excise policy so as to meet the wishes of the people ; after nine months, however, the Government had done nothing. The Rev. Messrs. R. A. Hume and Evans supported it, and the Resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. 8. Ramasvvami Mudaliar then moved Resolu- tion V, and criticised very adversely the despatch of 82 HOW INDIA WROUOHT FOR, FREEDOM the Secretary of State on the Keport of the Public- Service Commission, making the position of Indians, except as to age, worse than it was before the Commission, for the Indian officials were compelled either to remain in the positions they then held in the Statutory Service, or to enter the Provincial Service, the memljers of which were barred from all the higher executive offices. Indians, he said, only asked for " a fair field and no favour ^' ; " we want the best men we can get, and if the Europeans can beat the Indians in a fair competition, let them do so ". Mr. (t. K. (lokhale seconded the Resolution, and spoke plainly and sternly, with the ring of steady purpose for which he afterwards became famous : Fifty-six years have eoiiie and gone since the promise was first made tliat no distinction of race or creed or colour should be allowed to stand in the way of the prospects of preferment of any native of India. That noble pi'omise then made — a promise worthy of tlie highest and most generous attitude of England towards any of the countries with whicli she has ever come into contact — was reiterated in yet stronger terms in the proclamation of 1858. The terms of the enactment of 1833 and of the proclamation of 1858 are so explicit that those who now try to withhold from us the privileges then assured to us must be prepared to face the painful dilemma of hypocrisy or treachery — must be prepared to admit that England was insincere when she made those promises, or that she is prepared to l)reak faitli with us now. Gentlemen, you may be aware that an English Judge famous (or infamous) in a way, did not scruple to accept this latter position, and propound the preposterous doctrine that the proclamation of 1858 was never meant THK FIFTH CONGRESS 83 to be seriously taken. 1 hope however that there are not many Englislimen of that kind. With these nolile promises of 1833 and 1858 before us, I ask you, are we not entitled to say that the least we expect from our Knglisli I'ulers is that they should always show a steadily progressive tendency towards the fulfilment of these pro- mises r* Mr. Gokhale urged that there were three points, before the Commission sat, of importance to Jndians : first, competitive examinations; secondly, in the Statutory C^ovenanted Service, one-sixth of the posts, by the enactment of 1861, were reserved for Indians ; third!}', the Uncovenanted Service was wholly Indian. The Commission refused simultaneous examinations, though " for posts in our own country, if we are not to be examined in our own country, I do not know what justice and equity are ". Secondly, only 108 posts, out of 941 re- served for the Govenanted Service, instead of 158, the one-sixth belonging to Indians, might be reserved for Indians in the higher branch of the Uncovenanted Service, re-named the Provincial Service. The Com- missioners recommended that 108 should be given ; The Secretary of State said may. " We may be given 108 places, leaving it to the discretion of the Crovern- ment, and we know what that means. For every one of these 108 places that we shall have, half a dozen will go to the European official class." The status of Indians was distinctly changed for the worse by the Commission, and this is one of the many cases in which the Crown — which is not Crown but Bureaucratic — Government has proved worse for 84 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM India than the old East India Company rvile. The Resolution, supported by Mr. John Adam and Mr. All Muhammad Bhimji was unanimousl}' passed. The official Report says that a suspicion is "begin- ning to gain ground in India, that England's policy towards us is changing, and is no longer actuated by quite those same noble and lofty motives that, in bye-gone days, threw a halo round the British name". That suspicion has grown during the 26 years since those words were written. Mr. Ali Muhanmiad Bhimji pointed to t]ie Commission of 1800, recommending simultaneous examinations ; Lord Stanley had said with regard to this, that lie could not " refrain from expressing his conviction that in refusino- to carry on examinations in India as Avell as in Eno'land, a thing that was easily practicable, the Government wei-e in fact negativing- that Avhich they liad declared to be one of the principal objects of their Bill, and confining the Civil Service as heretofore to Englishmen. The result was unjust and he believed it would be most pernicious." Then again Lord Stanley further said: "Let them suppose for instance, that instead of liolding these examinations here in London, they Avere to be held in Calcutta ; well, how many Englishmen would go there, or how many would send their sons perhaps to spend two or three years in tlie country, on the chance of obtaining an appointment ? Nevertheless that was exactly the course proposed to be adopted towards the natives of India." These are the opinions that were expressed at the time, Avhen the Commissioners came to tlie conclusion that simultaneous examinations should be lield in India, and we are asking nothing more nor less than what they decided in 1860 ; and now 29 years have gone by, and the prospects then held out to us by one of England's wisest statesmen and endoi'sed by a Parliamentary Commission, prospects THE FIFTH CONGRESS 85 based upon our Gracious Qneen-Empress' soleinii promises, have not yet been realised. I know that men ha\'e been found base enough — men traitors alike to tlieir Queen and country — to assert that our beloved Empress' words were no promises, merely emotional utterances never intended to be acted upon. But how did an honest Eng-lish statesman treat this dastardly stuff ? What did Lord Ripon say ? " The document (Her Majesty's Proclamation) is not a Treaty, it is not a diplomatic instrument ; it is a declaration of principles of Government ; if it is oblig-atory at all, it is obligatory in respect to all to whom it is addressed. The doctrine, therefore, to which Sir James Stephen has given the sanction of his authority, I feel bound to repudiate to the utmost of my power. It seems to me to be inconsistent with the character of my Sovereign and with the honour of my country, and if it were once to be received and acted upon hj the Government of England, it Avould do more than anything else could possibly do to strike at the root of our power and to destroy our just influence." Sir James Fitzjames Stephen was the man of wliom Mr. Gokhale spoke as " an English Judge famous or infamous ". But after all, Sir James has proved right. Next came our old friend the Arms Act in Resolu- tion VI, very carefully worded this year : proposed by Mr. John Adam, seconded by Lala Harbhagavan Das, and supported l)y three others, it was unani- mously carried. Resolution VII was moved by Mr. Baikunthuatli Sen' in an able and tlioughtful speech, showing the historical aspect of the question ; he pointed out that a famine in 1860 had led to a Commission, which reported in favour of the Permanent Settlement, and it was approved in a Despatch from the Secretary 86 HOW INDIA WKOITGHT FOR FREEDOM of State in 3 862. There, however, it had remained. Mr. S. Snbraniauia Iyer seconded, and said that, . " in an inconsiderate moment," he had invested his savings in land tifteen years before ; lie found that, practically, all improvements were taxed, so he told his agent not to spend a rupee in improving the land ; the revisions prevented improvements being made, and no recourse to the Courts against the secret orders of the Settlement Department could be made. Munshi Sadar-ud-din Ahmed, supporting, gave an instance of a revision by Mr. Colvin — later the Sir Auckland Colvin who so strongly objected to the Congress — in which the Government Revenue assessment made by him on a village exceeded the total gross produce of the village. The poor Zemindai', finding Mr. Colvin obdurate to all pray- ers, presented a petition, saying that his aged father, before his death, had foretold the coming of a Settlement Ofhcer " in Avhose time the people Avould be so miserable and povertj'-stricken that in their homes would neither be heard the sound of the grinding-mill, nor the glimmer of the lamp be seen, and that when this came to pass the best thing that he could do would be to give up nil his rights and interests in his villnge to the Coverument, and be- come a mendicant ". He therefore begged Mr. Colvin to put his own name in all the Revenue papers. Many others spoke from their own experience, and complained of the ignorance of the Settlement Offi- cers. " No civil suit will lie — there is no remedy and no justice." One inan siiid he was cruelly THE FIFTH CONGRESS 87 over-a.sse.ssed, and on asking the officer to visit liis fields and hear him on the spot, he was told by the officer that he " had no time for that sort of thing. No, they have no thne for anything but to extort money out of the poor." And so the sad story went on ; in the old times the land assessment covered everything, but now : " There is the same amount i)f water in the pot, but there are now six holes tlirough whicli it runs out, when before there was but one." " We had our cattle in plent}^ lots of grazing' free, and salt to keep them healthy — now the land is all taken up by the Forest Department and we have no grazing, and if the starving herds stray where there is food, they are run into the pound and we are fined." " We had plenty of wood for our houses, our ploughs, for every agricultural purpose ; now it is all under the lock and key of the Forest Department, and if we touch it without leave we are run in, and if we want a stick we have a week's running about from one official to another before we get it, and we have to paj, pay, pay. We had arms, and v^e could shoot or destroy the Avild beasts that ravage our crops, but now we have an Arms Act that allows a basket full of arms to every negro rascal Avho lands on our shores, but takes good care that we poor cultivators, who need them to protect our subsistence from wild animals, ai'e practically debarred from any." The peasants are still growing poorer and poorer under these conditions, while Land Revenue rises. Will none have pity ? The Resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. U. E. Wacha moved Resolution VIII, Avhich was seconded, and carried unanimously. Thanks to IVlr. Bradlaugh, this Resoluti(jn was successful. 88 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution IX was eminently reasonable, and abso- lutely necessary to the good government of India, but the House of Commons has, since India was taken over by the Crown, lost all interest in Indian affairs. Mr. W. C. Bannerji proposed and Mr. Shurf-ud-din seconded. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya spoke earnestly and effectively : In the year 1883, the House of Commons passed a resolution to the effect that in the opinion of that House it is necessary that early steps be taken to reduce the expenditure of India. Lord Kimberley, our then Secre- tary of State, in his despatch, dated the 8th of June 1888, urged the Government of India to take the subject of the reduction of expenditure into their earliest consideration. Lord Randolph Churchill, our next Secretary of State, later on, said that " the financial position of India was very grave indeed, and required the most careful consideration, and the exercise of tlie most rigid economy was necessary in liis opinion, in order to avoid bankruptcy ". But the withdrawal of Parliamentary control seems to have emboldened the present Under-Secretary to take up a very different attitude. When complaints were made on the occasion of the last debate on the Indian Budget in the House of Comjnons, of the ever-growing increase of expenditure in India, Sir John Gorst met them boldly by saying that " expenditure has increased, it ought to increase, and it ought not to be diminished ". And he tried to justify this view by asserting that tlie wealtli and prosperity of the country was increas- ing. Now, gentlemen, no one would be more delighted than ourselves to know that the country was really growing in wealth and prosperity. But unhappily the stern reality of facts forbids us from consoling our- selves witli such pleasing fancies. We look wistfully in all directions; we go deep into tlie Muffasal, we see our brethren in their homes and huts as they actually live ; and far from seeing any indications of that increasing prosperity whicli Sir J. Gorst said he discerned at that THE FIFTH CONGRESS 89 distance, we find tlie people growing poorer and less and less able to maintain themselves, tlieir wives and children, than they were before. And Ave therefore say, gentlemen, that the increase of expenditure is under existing circum- stances not only unjustifiable, but positively sinful. The increase of public expenditure would undoubtedly be welcome if it followed upon an increase of wealtli and prosperity among the people. There has been a large increase of revenue in England during the past quarter of a century. But it has followed an enormous growth of wealth and commerce in England and no one complains much of it. But in India public expenditure goes on increasing, while the condition of the people is deteriorating day by day. One simple but incontroverti- ble proof of this lies in the fact that almost all the recent additions to the revenue of the Government have been screwed out of the first necessities of the Indian people. To take only the most recent instances : increased expendi- ture has been met by enhancing the duty on salt, a thing necessary alike to man and cattle ; by taxing the poor man's oil, as petroleum has rightly been called ; by imposing a double tax on the famishing ryots of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh ; and by misappropriating the Famine Insurance Fund, a fund especially created and promised by three Viceroys to be religiously set apart for meeting difficulties in times of scarcity and famine. The Resolution was carried unanimously. The Resolution of thanks to Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay (X), was moved by Mr. J. U. Yajnik, ex- Sheriif of Bombay, and lie bore witness to the fact that Lord Reay's nominations reflected the wish of Indians ; he had appointed Messrs. Ranade, Dadabhai Naoroji, Telang, Dayaram Jethmal, Phero/eshah Mehta, and others ; " never before had such wisdom and impartiality been shown ". It was supported by the Hon. Mr. C. Sankaran Nair, who wished other Provinces the good fortune enjoyed by Bombay, 90 HOW INDIA WKOUOHT FOR FRKEPOM Mr. H. A. Wadia, who wished Lord Reay would return as Viceroy, and others, and carried with acclamation. Mr. Eardley Norton moved Resolution XI, because, owing to a mistake, the Subjects Committee had died prematurely; and Resolution XII re-elected Mr. A. 0. Hume as General Secretary. Resolution XIII dealt with organisation, and the number of delegates at future Congresses was limited to 1,000. In answer to an appeal for the Rs. 45,000, over Rs. 9,000 was paid in cash, and Rs. 56,226 pro- mised within half an hour. The resolution was then passed, and Nos. XI V^ and XV — the latter thanking Sir William Wedderburn for coming from England for the Congress — were quickly carried. Ihen, the Fifth Congress, with a vote of thanks to the Re- ception Committee, dissolved. RESOLUTIONS I. Resolved — That an address be presented to Mr. Clmrles Uradlangh, M.P., on behalf of this Congress here assembled, and that Messrs. Adam, Pherozeshah Melita, .ind W. C. Baniierji are a]i])oiiited a Committee to settle the wording- of the said address. Representation IT. Resolved — That tlie fullowing skeleton scheme for the reform and reconstitntion of the Council of the Grovernor-General for making Laws and Regulations, and the Provincial Legislative Councils, is adopted, and that the President of this Congress do submit the same to Charles Bradlangh, Esq., M.P., with the respectful request of this Congress that he may be pleased to cause a Bill to be drafted on the lines indicated in this skeleton scheme and introdiK'c the same in the British itousc of Commons: Scheme (1) The Imperial and Provincial Legislat i\(^ Councils to consist respectively of Mendiers not less than one half of whom ari^ to be elected, not 7nf)re than one-fourih to si( I'.r-offirio, and the rest to be nominateil bv (Jovci-nment. THE FIFTH CONGRESS 91 (2) Hoveuue districis to constitute ordinarily tcn-itorial units for electoral purposes. (3) All mule British subjects above 21 years of age possessing certain qualifications and not subject to certain disqualifications (both of which will be settled later) to be voters. (4) Voters in each district to elect representatives to one or more electoi-al bodies, according to local circumstances, at the rate of 12 jier million of the total population of the district, such representatives to possess certain qualifications and not to be subject to certain disqualifications, both of which will be settled later. (5) All the representatives thus elected by all the districts included in the jurisdiction of each electoral body, to elect members to the Imperial Legislature at the rate of 1 per every five millions of the total population of the electoral jurisdiction, and to their own Provincial Legislature at the late of 1 per million of the said total population, in such wise that whenever the Parsis, Christians, Muhammadans or Hindus are in a minority, the total number of Parsis, Christians, Muhammadans or Hindus, as the case may be, elected to the Provincial Legislature, shall not, so far as may be possible, bear a less proportion to the total number of members elected thereto, than the total number of Parsis, Christians, Hindus or Muhammadans, as the case may be, in such electoral jurisdiction, bears to its total population. Members of both Legislatures to ])ossess certain qualifications and not to be subject to certain disqualifications both of which will be settled later. (6) All elections to be by ballot. XL Resolved -That the Subjects Committee be instructed to settle the questions (left open in the skeleton scheme for the reconstruction of the Councils, endjodied in Resolution II), of the qualifications requisite for, and the disqualifications which should debar from, becoming (n) a Voter; (?)) a Representative ; (r) a Member of a Provincial Legislative Council ; and {(i) a Member of the Imperial Legislative Council ; and to submit their Report thereon to Charles Bradlaugh, Esq., M.P., for t\u' purposes of the Bill which he has been requested to have drawn. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions III. Resolved — That this present Congress does herebj' ratify and confirm the resolutions passed In- previous Congresses as to (a) the urgent necessity for the complete separation of exe- cutive and judicial functions, such that, in no case, shall the two functions be combined in the same officer; 92 HOW INDIA WROrrGHT FOR FREEDOM (b) the expediencj' of extending into many parts of the country, where it is not at present in force, the system of trial by jury ; (c) the necessity of withdrawing fioni the High Courts the jiowers, first vested in them in 1S72, of setting aside verdicts of acquittal by juries ; (d) the necessity of introducing into the Code of Criminal Procedure, a pi-ovision enabling accused persons, in warrant cases, to demand that instead of being tried by the Magistrate, tliey l)e committed to the Court of Sessions ; (c) tlie higldy unsatisfactory cliaracter of the existing system of Police Administration in India, and the absolute necessity of a fundaTncntal reform therein ; (/) the expediency of both establishing Military Colleges in India, whereat the Natives of India, as defined by statute, may be educated and trained for a military car(>er as officers of the Indian Army, and of authorising, under such rules and restrictions as may seem necessaiy, such a system of volunteering for the Indian inhabitants of the country, as may qualify them to sup])ort the (xovernment in any crisis ; (g) the extremely unsatisfactory^ character of the Income Tax Administration, especially as regards incomes below Rupees one thousand, and the expediency of raising tlie taxable miuinuim to this amount ; (/( ) the extreme importance of increasing, instead of diminish- ing, as the present tendency appears to be, the public expenditure on education in all its branches, and the necessity, in view to the ])romotion of one of the most essential of these branches, the technical, of the appointment of a mixed Commission to enquire into tlie present industrial condition of the country ; (/) the impolicy and injustice involved in the iate increase of the Salt Tax in a time of profound peace, and the urgent necessity for an immediate reduction of this tax, and the reimposition, to balance the deficit thus caused, of light ad valorem import duties ; {■j) the necessity for the reduction of, instead of the continual increase to, the militaiy exjicndituro of the country. Temperance IV. Resolv(?d — 'I'hat this Congress hereby tenders its sincere thanks to Messrs. Caine and Smith, and the membei-s who voted with them, in connec^tion with the debate on the Indian Excise Question in the House of Commons; and while fully appreciating what has been done by some of the local (Toveriunents towards the im|)roveTTient of their systems of Excise and Abkari, di^sires to expri'ss the earnest hojie that no further time nmy be lost in giving full effect to the Resolution of the House of Commons. THE FIFTH CONGRESS 93 Public Service V. Resolved — That tliis Congress, while thanking Her Majes- ty's Government for raising the age for the Indian Civil Service Competitive Examination from 19 to 23, does hereby put on recoi'd an emphatic expression of the universal disappointment which has been created by the I'est of that Government's orders in regard to the Public Service Question (the net result of which orders is t(j place the people of India in a worse position than they previously held), and reiterates the National conviction that no x-eal justice will be done to India, in this matter, until the simultaneous holding in India and in England, of all Examinations for all Civil branches of the Public Service in India, at jiresent held only in England, be conceded. Military VI. Resolved---That in view of the loyalty of the jieojjle, tlit^ lijinlships that the Arms Act, (XI of 1878), as at present adminis- tered, entails, and the uumei-ited slur which it casts upon them, the Government be moved so to modify tlie rules made under this Act that all restrictions as to the possession and bearing of ai-ms shall apply equally to all persons residing in or visiting India ; that licences to possess and bear arms shall be liberally and generally distributed wherever wild animals habitually destroy huDian life, cattle or crops, and that these and all licences issued under the rules shall be granted once for all, shall operate through- out the Provincial jurisdiction witliin which they are issued, be only revocable on proof of misuse, and shall not require yearly or half-yearly renewals. Permanent Settlement VII. Resolved — That the Government he urged to take the subject of a Permanent Settlement once more under consideration in view to practical action thereon, such that fixity and permanency may be given to the Government Land Revenue demand without further delay, at any rate in all fully populated and well cultivated tructs of country. Silver Duties VIII. Resolved — That in view of the fall that has already occurred in the price of silver and in the exchange value of the Indian Ru))ee, it is impolitic on the part of the British Government to maintain any hindrances whatever to the consumption of silver for manufacturing purposes: and that this Congress strongly urges upon Her Majesty's Government that, not only as an act of jiistice to India (a matter which has been rejieatedly brought to the notice of Her Majesty's Ministers) but also as an act of expediency in the interests of Her Majesty's British as well as Indian subjects, the plate duties should be immediately abolished, and hall-marking be made a voluntary institution. 94 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Grievances before Supply IX. Resolved — Tliat tliis Congress lespeclfiillv expresses tlic earnest hope tliat, in the interest of the ])Cople of India, the House of Coiinnons will forthwith restore the ri^lit, formerly possessed by members of that Honourable House, of stating to Parliament any matter of grievance of the natives of India before Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair for the presentation in Committee of the Indian Budget statement, and earnestly trusts that the House of Commons will, in future, take into consideration the Annual Indian Budget statement at such a date as will ensure its full and adequate discussion, and further authorises the President, Sir William Wetlderburn, Bart., to sign a Petition in the name and on behalf of this Congress for presentation to the House of Commons in accord- ance with the terms of this Resolution. Congress Constitution Xlll. Resolved— ((') That, ill view of the large nuniljer of delegates tliis year assembled and the probability, arising from past experience, of their number continuing to increase year by year, hencefortli the number of delegates to be allowed from each Congress circle be limited to five per million of the total population of the circle : the Standing Committee of each circle allotting the number which their jurisdiction, as a whole, is entitled to elect, amongst their several electoral divisi 'lis, as may s- em most expedient. (h) That from the date of Mr. Hume's departure for Eng- land, the Hon. Pandit Ayodhyanath be ajipointed Joint General Secretary, and that Rs. 5,00(J be assigned for the ])ayment by him of such Assistant Secretaries as he may Mud it necessary to enijiloy, clerical assistance, postage, telegraphs, and printing, and further that Mr, W. C. Bannerji be appointed Standing Counsel for Bengal, Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta, Standing Counsel for Bt)mbay, and Mr. Anaiida Charlu, Standing Counsel for Madras, to the Joint General Secretary. (c) That the tentative rules for tiie constitution and working of the Congress which were first considered at Madras, and in regard to which various addenda have from time to time been circulated, be thoroughly considered during the coining year b3' the sevei-al Standing Congress Committees, and definitely dealt with by the Congress at its next session. ((/) That this Congress does herebv confirm the a])iiointnient of Sir W.Wedderbum, Bart., and Messrs. W. S. Caine, M.P., W. S. Bright Maclaren, M.P., J. E. Ellis, M.P., Dadabhai Naoroji and George Yule, as a Committee (with power to add to their number) to guide and direct the operations and control the expenditure of the National ] THK FIFTH CONGIJKSS 95 Congress Agency in England, and does further tender its sincere thanks to these gentlemen, and to Mr. W. Digby, C.I.E., the Secretary, for the service which they are rendering to India. (e) That this Congress does formally ap])oint Mr. George Yule, Mr. A. (3. Hume, Mr. .-Vdam, Mr. Eardley Norton, Mr. .J. E. Howard, Mr. Pherozesliah Mehta, Mr. Siirendi-nnath Bannerji, Mr. Mauo Mohan Ghose, Mr. Shnrf-ud-din, Mr. X. Miulholkar, and Mr. W. C. Bannerji to represent its views in England, and press upon the consideration of the British Public the political reform which the Congress has advocated. (/) That a sum of Rs. 45,000 be raised for the ex])enses of the Congress Work in this country and in England during the ensuing year, and that the different Standing Committees do seiid their respective apportioned amounts to the General Secretary, the one half in three, and the balance in six months. Thanks of Congress X, Resolved — That in view to his approaching departure, this Congi'ess puts on record an expression of the high sense entertained, not only in the Bombay Presidency but throughout India, of the ability, integrity and impartiality that have characterised Lord Rcay's administration, as also of the gratitude which the whole countrj' feels to be his due for the sympathy that he has ever ex- tended to Indian aspirations and efforts. XV. Resolved — That the Fifth Indian National Congress hereby tenders its heart-felt thanks to its President, Sir William Wedderburn, as well for his ready sacrifice of personal and political considerations involved by his journey from England to India, as for that courtesy, im])artiality and never failing sympathy, which characteristics of his long and honourable career as an official of this coniitry, have marked his control of the proceedings of this assembly. Formal XIV. Resolved — That the Sixth Indian National Congress do assemble at some City in Bengal, the exact place to be fixed hereafter, on the 26th of December, 1890. XII. Resolved— That Mr. A. 0. Hume, C.B., be re-elected General Secretary of the National Indian Congress for the ensuing year. 96 HOW INDIA WROUfiHT FOR FREEDOM CHARLES BRADLAUGH, M.P. The presentation of the Couufress address to Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, M.P., took place on the same evening, December 28th, at 7 p.m. The table on the platform — 18 feet by 4^ feet — was piled up from end to end with addresses in caskets of Indian work, rugs, mats, carvings, sent from every part of India, In-ought in many case.s by poor men, who had come hundreds of miles to give them. Characteristically, he would not accept valuable gifts, such as a splendid Kashmir shawl. Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta was voted to the chair, and made a brief speech, voicing India's love and gratitude for '' the high and unselfish endea- vours " of one who was a stranger to them, to promote India's " welfare, its prosperity and its best interests '\ Sir William Wedderlmrn i-ead the address of the Congress : To Charles T3riullnnL;li, Esq., Member for Nortlianiptoii in tlie Parliament of Great Britain and Ireliuid. Sir, — On behalf of the Fiftli Indian National Congress, assembled at B()nil)ay, we bef>- to offer you our united and most lu'ai'tfelt welcome, and through you we desire to convey our thanks to tlie (^lectors of Nortlumipton who have permitted you to esjxmsc the cause of India. You come to us a straiii^er in person, not repute. Kor your disinterested advocacy of the claims (founded on the unaiisweral)le demands of Iniman progre.ss and the solemn promises of tlieir Queen) preferred by millions— -whose appeals for justice liave evoked a widespi'ead response since you a)'oused the people of Great Uritain into a sympatlietic i-ecoonitiiin nf Indiii's needs will eiislirine THE FIFTH CONGRESS 97 your name for all time in the proudest and most imperish- able of huma.n homes, the hearts and traditions of a loving- and a grateful race. Brilliant as was the tribute of national respect which your illness elicited from the fellow-countrymen who for long years had been the daily spectators of your labours and your triumphs in England, you have won, Sir, in the mental distress and prayerful anxiety with which the population of India followed you in the tribulation of your sickness, a homage the more unique and tender that it is not matched in the recorded history of any living states- man. They have appreciated the unflinching courage with which, throughout your political career, you have confronted error and have championed truth. You have enchained their admiration by your inalienable fidelity to the popular cause. Proud in your possession of such qualities, and thankful for your efforts in our cause, we trust that you may be spared to complete the great work j'ou have begun, and to read the vindication of your generous interpretation of our political aspirations, as well in the ever closer union of India and of England, as in the quickened vigour and expanding energies of a country regenerated by the partial redemption of pledges too long permitted to remain unfulfilled. — We have, etc. In reply, Mr. Bradlaugh said : Sir William, and Delegates of the Indian National Congress, I thank you not so much for myself, for I have not yet deserved the tribute you pay me. I thank you for my Electors, without whom I should not have the right to do all the work I do. And in their name, and because I believe that their example will be followed by other constituencies, I feel grateful to you, and only do not translate my gratitude into words because no words can express what I feel. A few of the caskets only were taken up, as . specimens of all, and a few of the articles of Indian 9 98 HOW IKDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM manufacture were presented, and a list of some of the places, sending addresses and gifts, was read. An hour Avas occupied in even this slight summarising, for, as the Report says, " there was scarcely a town of any size " from which an address had not been sent. Mr. Bradlaugh then rose and said : Friends, fellow-subjefts, and fellow-citizens ! I ad- dress you as friends, for the g-reeting you have given me entitles me to use the same language to you as I would use to those at home, and you have made me feel since I have been in Bombay that the word " home " has a wider significance than I had given it. I have learned that if 1 have only a little home, I have a larger one in.j'our sympathies and in your affections, and, as I trust to de- serve by future work, in your love. I address yoti as fellow-subjects ; we are here loyal to one rule with the best of loyalty. That is no real loyalty which is only blind submission. Real loyalty means that the governed "he.lp the governors *T:»y leaving lifEte for the Government to do. Real loyalty means that the claim of right is made with the consciousness of duty ; and I feel proud to "be a fellow-subject with you in the hope that the phrase fellow-citizens may grow into a reality even l)efore my life-time ends. I pray your indulgence to-night, for it is the first speech I liave made since I looked into the blackness of the grave, and I am not sure how far I can trust my tongue to interpret what I would wish to say. Of one thing I am sure, you have overrated alike my work and my ability. (No, No.) I pray you, be as indulgent to me as you have been generous ; and if you disagree with what I say, let me say it in my own poor fashion, so that you may find at least my meaning clear to you. I am only here as a visitor l)y your courtesy, a member of a great assem1)ly, tlie Mother of Parliaments in the world, of which 1 am one of the poorest members ; and as to any force that I may luive had in advocating the cause of those to whom I beh)ng at home, let me say 1 was sorry to hear tliat I w.is lliaukcd foi' my work in the })opuhir THE FIFTH CONGRESS 99 cause. For whom should I work, if not for the people ? Born of the people, trusted by the people, I will die of the people. And I know no geographical or race liuaitations. If the Nationality — pardon the word — to which I am proud to belong has raised its Empire, the rule carries with it the duty on the part of every citizen to recognise that which I recognise in you, a lawful con- stitutional association for the assertion of your just claims and for the advancement of your homes and interests. I will ask you not to expect too much. One man is only a water-drop in the ocean of human life : you are the breeze driving the water-drop on the western side of the seas and, by your encouragement, adding others to it, and giving it a force that shall wash it into the old rock of prejudice that hindered, you will make those on the other side hear, as I have heard, the clear English sounds, which show that you share our language, our traditions, and our hopes, and are willing to work with us and to make common cause w^ith us. Not only do not expect too much, but do not expect all at once. Great as this assembly is in its suggestive- ness, by its delegates travelling hundreds and thousands of miles, you are yet only the water-drop of the two hundred and ten millions whom you number under our Empire, yours and mine — not mine against yours, not English against Indian, but our common Empire for common purposes. Don't be disappointed if, of a just claim, only something is conceded. It is new, but shall be every day coming ; it is new, but you have those who stand in the House of Commons to plead for you ; not I alone, but members as devoted to you as I can possibly be ; and I hope soon to see added to their ranks, with the authority of his knowledge and of the position which his presiding here has given him — Sir William Wedderburn. I would remind you, as an encouragement to you to be patient, that in England great reforms have always been slowly won. Those who first enterprised them were called seditious, and sometimes sent to gaol as criminals ; but the speech and thought lived on. No imprisonment can crush a truth ; it may hinder it for a moment, it may 100 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM delay it for an hour, but it gets an electric elasticity inside the dungeon walls, and it grows, and moves the whole world when it conies out. Your presence here to-day confutes and answers in anticipation one sneer that I have heard spoken within tlie walls of Parliament. It is said : " There is no Indian Nation, there can be no Indian National Congress ; there is no Indian people, there are only two hundred millions of diverse races and diverse creeds." The lesson I read here is that this Congress movement is an educational movement, hammer- ing upon the anvil of millions of men's brains, until it welds into one common Avhole men whose desire for political and social reforms is greater than all distinctions of race and creed. It will be my duty, as it is my right, to present to Parliament directly I get back, on the very day of its opening, the claim you make to have the Bill considered. On the second day the Bill will be introduced. For so much I can answer ; but I can answer for nothing more. I think it is possible the Government may introduce some Bill themselves. If they do, it will take precedence of, but it will not avoid, the one you have charged me with ; because the Grovernment Bill, in Committee, will come under the discussion of Parliament on every one of the propositions that you desire in the Bill you have charged me with. It is not easy work. There are differences ; and I have been glad to see that you can meet and discuss differences as you have done. You have shown that you can meet together and listen to one another, and that you are Avorthy of public trust, and the right of electing and being elected, to help to make the laws which you so discuss. Then you may take it that on your own Bill, or the Government Bill, this decision of the House of Commons will be taken. You can help that decision ; j^ou have a constitutional right, not of coming into the House and l)eing heard yourselves, but of sending your petitions there from every division, from far oft" Sindh, from every part ; and I would ask you, if you want to make me really your mouthpiece in that House, send signatures r THE FIFTH CONGRESS 101 to petitions which you understand, by the thousand, by the hundred thousand, by the million, if you can, so that India's people may kneel — and there is no shame in kneeling — on the threshold where the Mother of Parlia- ments sits, and ask that she may do the same justice to those six, seven or eight thousand miles away that she has done to those who can assemble and make themselves heard with the living- voice. We — you will permit me to say " we " although I am only a guest — are here engaged in no seditious move- ment. We are not even seeking (though if we did, there would be no great crime in the high endeavour) to transplant the democratic Institutions of England to this land. We are only seeking in the hill which is hard to climb, to carve steps in which the strongest may stand, and through coming generations help the weaker brethren to higher posts. It is said that there are many who stand aloof from this movement. I, looking at you, wonder that in its infancy so many have joined in it. It is said that there are influential men of this party and of that who have not yet come. Oh ! but the sun's rays grow as the sun rises. You are the dawn ; I see the day ; and I do not count the rays which are yet below the horizon, but I take account of the gilding of the clouds from the rays that I see. I feel that I should like to have the title that some have given me in sneer, and some in hearty meaning, of " Member for India ". Dead men, whose measure I cannot hope to cope with, have partly held that title. But I should love to hold it, not simply by great efforts made on great occasions, Ijut by simple doings whenever there is injustice to be touched. I know how little one can do, but little though one man can do, I will tell you what he can do. When, after rain and storm, the waters have gathered, one man may make a little boring through which the water begins to percolate that washes all away ; and I will try to be that one m.an, leaving greater ones than I can ever be to swim on the tide when the water flows. 102 now INDIA wROiionr i'X)ii fijeedom I am here, because I believe you loyal to tlie law vvliii^li I am bound to support. I am here, because I beh'evo you wish, as we in hjUfyhmd have done, to win witliin the limits of the Constitution the most perl'ect ecjuality and rii^ht for all. I have no riglit to offer advice to you ; but if 1 had, and if I dared, 1 would say to you, men from lands almost as scpai-ate, althouengnl THE NINTH CONGRESS 171 and Bihar, declaring that " such tampering with solemn public pledges " was " a National calamity ". He complained bitterly of the breach of the terms of sanads granted by Grovernment, and commented in terms none too severe on the dishonour of such breaking of faith with the public. Mr. Baikunthanath Sen seconded, and then Sheikh Wahab-ud-din spoke strongly as to the Panjab. Their Province had been annexed by the British Empire 48 years before, and they were fiscally and physically stronger then. The people had become poorer and poorer, and peasant and gentleman had scarcely any margin to support their families or provide for the future. Mr. B. G Tilak pointed out that in Bombay the increase in 30 years had sometimes amounted to 30 per cent. Sardar Gurucharan Singh showed how in the Panjab the failure of a crop meant ruin to the cultivator : The family is broken up, their cattle ai^e sold for debts, the breadwinner of the family either dies of a broken heart, or lingers in the dark recesses of a Civil Gaol under the decree of the money-lender. If he has any son, the poor youth leaves home in despair and joins the army, where he ends his days at a handsome salary of Rs. 7 a month. These are the conditions which have afforded materials for revolutionary plots ; people who are starving and in despair lend a ready ear to sug- gestions of revolt. Mr. K. V. Joshi brought evidence from the Central Provinces, where the enhancement had been in some cases from 200 to 300 per cent, and where he had found the people so poor that they wei-e living on raowra flowers and the seeds of tamarinds. 172 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FEEEDOM Resolution XI, moved by Mr, IJ. A. Khare, regret- ted that Government had not carried out its pledges of 1862, 1865, 1882, and 1884. In addition to these, he quoted Lord Reay's solemn promise that improve- ments made by the holder should not be taxed, and the breaking of the promise in the then recent settlement in the Penwall Taluq. In another ease a petition was presented, and a year passed and the Commissioner gave no answer. The petitioners applied to the Government of Bombay ; the petition was returned because a copy of the order was not attached. The local officer had written no order. The petition di'opped, Mr, G. S, Khaparde seconded, Mir Nisar Ali Shohrat supported, and the motion was carried. Resolution XII was a long and important one on Education, urging increased expenditure, an enquiry into the industrial condition of the country with a view to technical education, the reduction of fees to meet the means of parents and their remission to the very poor, and pointing out that equal care should be directed to physical as to mental develop- ment. Mr, M, B. Namjoshi moved it, and asked for free and compulsory education, citing the example of the Gaekwar, Mr. Nibaran Chandra Das seconded, Bakshi Ram Labkaye supported, and then Lala Lajpat Rai took up the (juestion in a vigorous speech. He specially urged technical education, as that would increase the wealth of the country. It is 30 or 85 years that the Department of Publir- Instruction has been started here : but do you know Avhat progress has been made since then ? One of the two Government Colleges has been abolished : I mean tlie THE NINTH CONGRESS 173 Delhi Government College. The fees in Government Colleges have been this year raised from Rs. 2 to Rs. 12 per mensem, and they have also been raised in schools. The bravery of the Panjabis, the Sikhs and the Rajputs on the helds of Egypt, Abyssinia and Afghanistan has been rewarded by shutting the doors of higher education and the beneiits of civilisation on their children. Mr. S. K. Nair seconded, contrasting the policy of Japan witli that of Britain as regarded technical education. Resolution XIII regretted the despatch of the Secretary of State, saying that the Executive might have to review " judicial errors," a dangerous doc- trine, threatening the independence of the Courts. Kai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu moved it and Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji seconded, pointing out that the despatch put might above right. Rai Jotindra- nath Ohaudhuri followed, and Pandit Mohan Lai made a powerful speech, showing how English Judges had vindicated the independence of their Courts against both King and Parliament. After the motion was carried, Mr. D. E. Wacha moved Resolution XIV, against the stoppage of silver coinage, showing the evils resulting, and pointing out that the hard-working labourers, the overtaxed peasantry, are being impoveinshed in order that Government officials and usurers may fatten at their expense. ... It robs the ryots ; it entails an additional burden on them in order to actually compensate a microscopic minority already in receipt of salaries which find no parallel in any part of the civilised globe. Mr. R. P. Karandikar seconded, and the Resolution was carried. 174 HOW INDIA WROttdiit FOfi FfiEEDOM Then followed a protest against the exchange com- pensation allowance to Europeans and Eurasians — Resolution XY — that the Viceroy had called the " crime of the 26th of June," moved by the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, who charged " the Government of India with trifling with the interests of the people and having been guilty of injustice to the interests committed to its care by granting this absurd allowance to its non-domiciled Europeans. It is a grave charge, but I make it deliberately." The Government, he pointed out, never had funds for reforms. No money to improve the police, no money to separate judicial and executive functions, no money for sanitation. But when it conies to a question of granting com- pensation to the Services, then Government is as rich as the richest Government in the world ; and from whom is this money taken ? You heard yesterday the story of India's poverty related in graphic and earnest language by Pandit Madan Mohan ; you heard on the highest official authority tliat 20,000,000 of people had died of starvation in the last few years ; you heard that 40,000,000 live on one meal a day ; and now these 40,000,000 people will be burdened with additional taxation. They will be stinted of their food, of their rice and of their salt, in order that the highly paid officials of the Government may be provided with their usual brandy, beef and champagne. I think it is an unutterable shame We are the children of the soil ; we are the helots of the land, the hewers of wood and the drawers of water, and we exist for the Services, tlie gods of the bureaucracy. Illustrious men of Bombay, men of the Panjab, men of nortliern India, men of Bengal, let us combine, let us take a Hrm stand, and let us not rest till we have succeeded in convincing these gods of their iniquities ; let us not rest till we have disenchanted them of the illusion THE NINTH CONGRESS 175 under wliicli they labour, namely that the country is theirs and not ours. The country is ours and theirs ; and India is for England and also for India ; primarily for India and secondarily for England. Mr. W. A. Chambers seconded tlie motion in a strong speech, denouncing the compensation as neither Christian, nor righteous. Mr. D. E. Wacha supported with some telling statistics. Resolution XVI was a request to the Clovernment to put an end to forced labour, moved by Lala Dliarm Das Sari and seconded by Lala Kanakya Lai in an impassioned speech. He pointed out that forced labour was slavery, and England put down slavery in Africa, but winked at it in India. It was for- bidden, but officials used it. Resolution XVII thanked Lord Northbrook for pleadiiig in Parliament for the reduction of the Home (Foreign) Charges. It was moved by Mr, G. K. Gokhale, who remarked that the state- ments made in the debate on Lord Northbrook's motion furnished an indictment, if the Government were ever put on its trial ; it was admitted that burdens justly belonging to England were thrown on India, and the Duke of Argyll said the grievance should be removed before India heard of it, as though Mr. Wacha had not protested against it from the Congress platform ! Home Charges had increased from £7 millions to £16 millions in 80 years. With part of this the House of Commons had nothing to do, but it could deal with the India Office and the Army. The former might pass, for although it paid liberally its " respectable and at the same time useless 176 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and mischievous old gentlemen," the item was comparatively small. But the " Home Military Charges " had risen from £2 millions to over £5 millions, and the recruits which cost the War Office £19 per head were chai'ged to India at £105 per man. When England borrowed Indian troops, she forgot to ])ay for them ; when India borrowed English troops^ she paid all ordinary and extraordinary expenses. Mr. D. B. Chakradev seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XVIII asked for the raising of the Chief Court of the Panjab to a High Court : Resolu- tion XIX thanked the electors of Central Finsbury, and Resolution XX assigned Rs. 60,000 for the British Committee and India. Resolutions XXI, XXII and XXIII followed, thanking Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committee, re-appoint- ing Mr. A. 0. Hume as General Secretary, and fixing on Madras as the meeting-place of the next Congress. Then a vote of thanks to the President was carried, and with a few words from liim, the Xinth Congress was dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Representation 1. Resolved — Tliat this Congress while tendering its most sincere thanks to His Excellency the Viceroy for the liberal sj>irit in which he has endeavoured to give effect to the Indian Councils' Act of 1892, regrets to have to put on record the facts, that, alike in the Rules of the Government of India and in the practice of most of the Local Governments, notably in that of the Government of Bombay, material alterations are necessary if real effect is to be given to the THE NINTH CONGRESS 177 spirit of this Act, and, that the Panjab, one of the most important Provinces in the Empire, is still denied the right to be represented, either in the Vicero^^'s or in any Local Council. Legislative Council and High Court (Panjab) II. Resolved — That this Congress, in concurrence with the first Congress held at Bombay in 1885 and other subsequent Congresses, considers that the creation of a Legislative Council for the Province of the Panjab is an absolute necessity for the good government of that Province, and, having regard to the fact that a similar Council has been created for the United Provinces, hopes that no time will be lost in creating such a Council. XVIII. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress, the time has now come to raise the status of the Chief Court of the Panjab to that of a Chartered High Court, in the interest of the administration of justice in that Province. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions III. Resolved — That this Congress concurs with its predecessors in strongly advocating— (repeats exactly Resolution V of 1892, Eighth Congress). Civil Medical Service IV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the time has arrived when, in the interest of public medical education and the advancement of medical science and of scientific work in this country, as also in the cause of economic administration, the Civil Medical Service of India should be reconstructed on the basis of such servi(!es in other civilised countries, wholly detached from and independent of the Military service, so as to give full effect to the educational policy of Government, which is to encoui-age education for its own sake in every branch, and to raise a scientific medical profession in India by throwing open fields for medical and scientific work to the best talent available and indigenous talent in particular. Legal VI. Resolved — That this Congress having now for many successive years vainly appealed to the fxovemment of India to remove one of the gravest stigmas on British rule in India, one fraught with incalculable oppression to all classes of the community throughout the country, now hopeless of any other redress, humbly entreats the Secretary of State for India to order the immediate appointment, in each Province, of a Committee (one half at least, of whose members shall be non-official natives of India, qualified by education and expei-ience in the workings of the various Coiu'ts 178 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM to deal witli the question) to prepare each a scheme for the complete separation of all Judicial and Executive functions in their own Province with as little additional cost to the State as may be practicable, and the submission of such schemes, with the com- ments of the several Indian Governments thereon, to liiniself at some early date which he may be pleased to fix. Prostitution VII. Resolved — That this Congress having considered the Eeport of the Parliamentary members of the India Office Committee on the subject of the Rules, Orders and Practices in Indian Canton- ments witli regard to pi'ostitution and contagious disease, hereby endorses their conclusions : 1. That the system and incidental practices described in that Report and the statut(iry i-ules, so far as they authorised or permitted the same, did not accoi'd with the plain meaning and intention of the resolution of the House of Commons of June 5th, 1888 ; and 2. That the only effective method of preventing these system- atic malju-actices is by express legislation. Poverty VIII. Resolved — That this Congress, concurring in the views set forth in previous Congresses, affirms : That fully fifty millions of the population, a number yearly increasing, are dragging out a miserable existence on the verge of stai'vation, and that in every decade, sevei-al millions actually perish by starvation. And humbly urges, once more, that immediate steps be taken to remedy this calamitous state of affairs. Forest Laws IX. Resolved — That having regard to the very serious discontent created, especially in Peninsular India and in certain hilly tracts in the Panjab, by the practical administration of the Forest Laws, the (lovernment of India be most respectfully, but earnestly, entreated to investigate this matter carefully and endeav- our to mitigate its hai-shness and render it less obnoxious to the poorer classes. Permanent Settlement X. Resolved — That this Congress having on many {)revious occasions urged on the Government of India the necessity for giving, as wafi promised by the British Government over thirty years ago, fixity and permanence to the Land Revenue demand, wherever this has not already been conceded, desires now to reiterate emphatically this recommendation and to call attention to THE NINTH CONGRESS 179 the profound alarm which has been created by the action of Grovern- nient in interfering with the existing permanent settlement in Bengal and Behar (in the matter of the survey and other cesses) and with the terms of the sanads of the permanently settled estates ill Madras, and deeming such tampering with solemn public pledges, no matter under what pretences, a national calamity, hereby pledges itself to oppose, in all possible legitimate ways, anj' and all such reactionary attacks on permanent settlements and their holders. XL Resolved — That this Congress regrets extremely that the Government of India have not only failed to carry out the pledges for a permanent settlement in the Provinces in which it does not exist (given by the Secretary of State in his despatches of 1862 and 1865) but have also failed to give effect to the policy of granting a modified fixity of tenure and immunity from enhancements, laid down in 1882 and 1884^ by the Government of India, and appi-oved l)y the Secretary of State. Education XII. Resolved —That this Congress is of opinion that it is inex- pedient in the present state of Education in the country, that Govei'nment grants for High Education sliould in any way be withdrawn, and concurring with previous Congresses, affirms in the most emphatic manner, the importance of increasing the public expenditure on all branches of Education, and the expediency (in view to the promotion of one of the most essential of those branches, i.e., the technical,) of appointing a mixed Commission to enquire into the present industrial condition of the country ; and looking to the great poverty of many classes of the community, strongly recom- mends, that in all classes of Government or Municipal Schools and Colleges, all fees shall be i-educed in proportion to the means of parents and relations and remitted wholly in the case of very poor students ; and, focussing the universal opinion of the Indian Com- munity that undue stress is being laid at present upon mere mental development, this Congress earnestly recommends that henceforth, in all grades and classes of Schools and Colleges, at least equal attention should be devoted to the physical development of the students. Executive and Bench XIII. Resolved — That tin's Congress regrets to notice that the Secretary of State for India in his recent despatch to the Govern- ment of India has enunciated the doctrine that occasions may arise in which it may be the duty of the Executive Government to criticise Judicial errors, the Congress being of opinion that such criticism is calculated to shake the contidence of the ]ieopl(> in the independence of .ludicial tribunals. 180 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Monetary XIV. Resolved — That this Congress places on record its deep, regi'et at the recent hasty legislation of the Government of India closing the Indian mints against the private coinage of silver, whereby the people of this country have been siibjet^ted to further indirect taxation of a burdensome and indefinite character, and some of the most important trades and industries, notably the Mill industry, have been seriously disorganised and injured. XV. Resolved — That this Congress records its em])hatic protest against the Exchange Compensation Allowance granted to the undomiciled European and Eurasian employees of Government, involving an annual expenditure of over a crore of Rupees, and to the Banks, to the extent of £131,000, at a time when the financial situation of the country is far fi-om satisfactory and the country is threatened with additional taxation. Forced Liabour and Supplies XVI. Resolved — That tlio Government of India be moved, once for all, to put a stop, by new and express legislation, (the existing provisions of the Penal Code having proved inoperative) to the existing oppressive system of forced labour (known as Begar) and forced contributions of supplies (known as Rasads), which, despite numerous Resolutions of the Government of India, are still prevalent through India. Thanks of Congress V. Resolved — That this Congress desires to thank the British House of Commons for their just and wise vote in regard to Simultaneous Examinations in England and in India, and most earnestly prays that august body to insist upon their orders being given prompt effect to by the Secretary of State for India and the Government of India. XVII. Resolved — That this Congress tenders its most sincere thanks to Lord Northbrook for his powei-ful advocacy of India's claim to have her burden of Home Charges reduced, and respect- fully entreats tlie House of Commons to appoint at an early date a Committee of their Honourable House to arrive at some equitable settlement of the matter. XTX. Resolved- That this Congress tenders its best thanks to the Electors of Central Finsbui'y, both for their kindly sympathy in its objects and for having so generously accorded to it the valniiljle services of their honoured member Mr. Naoroji, who is destined, the Congress hoj)es, long to repre.seut both Central Finsbury and Indi;i in the Britisli House of Pai'lianieiit. THE NINTH CONGRESS 181 XXI. Resolved — That this Congress hereby tenders its most grateful acknowledgments to Sir W. Wedderburn and the members of the British Congress Committee for the services rendered by them to India during the past year. Congress Work XX. Resolved — That a sum of Rs. 6(>,000 be assigned for the expenses of the IJritish Committee and the cost of the Congress Publication, India, and that the several circles do contribute as ari'anged either now, or hereafter in Committee, for the year 1894. Formal XXII. Resolved — That this Congi-ess re-appoints Mr. A. O. Hume, C.B., to be its General Secretary for the ensuing year. XXIII. Resolved— That the Tenth National Congress do assemble on such da)' after Christmas Day, 1894, as may be later determined upon, at Madras. 16 CHAPTER X The Congress of 1894 marked the close of the first decade of its work, and it came back to Madras, after seven years, to find the fair city stronger than ever in her devotion to the work. Rs. 40,000 had been collected by the Reception Committee before the Congress met, and, 1,163 delegates gathered in the huge pandal which gave accommodation to nearly 5,000 people. The delegates from Madras Presidency of course headed the list : Madras... .. 947 Bombay (128) Sindh (4) .. 132 C P., Berar and Seciinderabad .. 37 Bengal ... .. 30 N. W. P. and Oudh .. 13 Panjab ... .. 4 1,163 Madras is so far south that it is difficult for dele- gates to reach her, but she is one of the best, perhaps the best, organised circle. December 26th Avas the first day of the Con- gress, and the Hon. Mr. P. Rangiah Naidu, as the Chairman of the Reception Committee THE TENTH CONGRESS 183 welcomed the delegates, and remarked that as their influence grew, opposition grew also, and pointing as proof to the Parliamentary Blue Book on Simultaneous Examinations, showing the " strain- ing of the relations between educated Indians and the officials," who cried down the men educated in the schools and colleges founded by the British, characterising " them as a class of disloyal men, devoid of influence with their own countrymen and incapable of discharging any responsible public duty ". He described the evils which arose from the class of Englishmen who came to India merely to earn their living and had no permanent stake in the country, but who influenced opinion. " An absentee Government involves a frightful strain on the country's financial resovirces, an overgrown military system absorbs one-third of the net revenue, the Free Trade principles thrust on us have destroyed the old industries, the population has grown in advance of the food supply, and poverty is increasing from year to year." After offering warm thanks to Colonel Moore, the Chairman of the Madras Municipality, for much kindly help, he called on the Congress to elect its President. Raja Sir Savalai Ramaswami Mudaliar proposed, and Raja Rampal Singh seconded, the election of Mr. Alfred Webb, M.P., an Irishman. In taking the chair, the President glanced at the past of the Congress, and mentioned the death of Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, M.P., than whom " you never lost a better nor an abler friend. Few men 184 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM were ever so sincerely mourned by a larger propor- tion of tlie liuman race." There spoke the gratitude of an Irishman to Ireland's true friend. Mr. Webb pointed to the figures of Indian taxes spent abroad, " 25 per cent of your total expenditure. No country could permanently afford sucli a drain." He urged the well-worn arguments on taxation, on agriculture, on representation ; and concluded b}' declaring that the Congress was " in truth the greatest combined peaceful effort for the good of the largest number of the human race that history has recorded ". At the conclusion of Mr. Webb's speech, a generous gift of Rs. 10,000 to the Congress funds from the Raja of Ramnad was announced, the Subjects Committee was confirmed, and the Congress adjourned. The work of the second day began with the reading of the rules for the conduct of business, and Mr. D. E. Wacha moved Resolution I, protesting against the injustice of imposing excise duties on cotton goods, crippling the infant mill industry of India and sacrificing the interests of India to those of Lancashire. He praised the Government of India foi' its resistance to the Excise Bill, and l)lamed the Secretary of State. Tlie tax was unjust, and it was also impolitic, for it retarded industrial development. He lamented tlie helplessness of the Government of India, rcinarkiiig that it miglit as well cease to exist if it was merely " the registrar of the ukases of the great autoci'at for the time being at Westmins- ter ". The Hon. Mi'. A. Sabapati Mudaliar seconded the Resolution and it was carried. THE TENTH CONGRESS 185 Eesolutioii II, moved by Mr. Baikunthanath Sen, who had seconded a sinnlar one in 1893, expressed the alarm caused by the In-each of the Government pledges as to settled estates, and its interference with the permanent settlement in Bengal and Bihar. The Hon. Mr. Natu seconded, and pointed out how Bombay was being ruined by resettlements, the increase in six Taluqs in the Ratnagiri and Albag Districts being 1,200 per cent. The entire assessment in Bombay was increased by 12 lakhs. An amendment was moved but there was no seconder, and the Hon. Mr. Kalyanasundram Iyer supported the resolution, pointing out that in a country where 80 per cent of the population cultivated the land, there was really no unearned increment to be claimed by the State. Mana Vikrama Raja spoke for Malabar, where Hindu rulers had imposed no taxation, and there had been nmch trouble over the question, for a permanent settlement had been granted in 1803 and 1805, and any interference was a breach of faith. Four other speakers followed, and the Resolution was carried. Mr. Seymour Keay, M. P. moved Resolution III on remedying the poverty of India, and said that after 32 years of close intercourse with the Indian masses, he was obliged to recognise as a cause the enormous cost of an alien Government. Some of them had tried to force an enquiry in the House of Commons into the state of the masses, and their power to sus- tain the enormous cost of Government. He showed how the Secret Department of the Government of India had been used to obtain figures to controvert 186 HOW INDIA WROUaHT FOR FREEDOM statements that liad been made, and how they had forced Sir John Gorst to put the Blue Books in their hands. He then gave many figures from these/ and finally declared that India's only hope lay in bringing the facts before the English Parliament and people : Once inform them of tlie truth, and I say, and I say it with all assurance, that the great heart of the English Nation will grant you both speedy and effective remedy. Alas ! how often we have heard that, but the great heart does not respond. But I believe that an agita- tion in Britain, based on facts and figures would move the British Democracy. Successive British Govern- ments have long known it, but they will not see. We must reach the Democracy. It will be reached by the little book mentioned below, and by the English Division of the Home Rule League. Mr. Nandi secouded the Resolution and pointed out that the highest officials were kept in ignorance of facts, and even when on tour the addresses present- ed to them contained the views of the officials, not of the people supposed to present them ; hence they inevitably lived in a roseate atmosphere, and were angry with any who spoke of the facts. Here and there a conscientious officer mentioned the facts. Mr. H. C. Irwin, of the Bengal Civil Service, writing of the poverty of Oudh said : " While the millions suffer from chronic hunger, it would be as easy to make a pyramid stand upon its apex as to regenerate them by ornamental legislation, or by anything but ^ A number of these are given in uiy little book, India — a Nation, in Jack's People's Books. Let us see the effect. THE TENTH CONGRESS 187 putting them beyond the ceaseless pressure of physi- cal want." He sternly added that Oudh had been annexed on the plea of the degradation of the cultivators ; let it not be said that with " all the means in our hands of raising the peasantry of Oudh from the squalid poverty and debasement which for centuries past have been their lot, we ignobly suffered them to perish ". Lala Mui'lidhar supported, sarcastic- ally saying that as it Vv^as " easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven," the people of India should surely be happy, since " the doors of heaven have been opened to you while they have been shut against all the people of Europe ". The poor need not fear thieves. As for facts and figures : Go and see those tigures in houses and see their squalid condition, pale and miserable, with no food to eat, and with no drink to take, and with no salt. Well, then, is not that the condition of anchorites and holy people ? What do you want more ? Why do you ask the Govern- ment for this or that P . . . You are an ungrateful people. Really you are. You ask to be admitted to the Govern- ment of your country. Wh_y should you have all this botheration ? Numerous troops have been provided to protect you and your lives. Numerous civil officials have taken the care olf your shoulders. Then what do you want more ? Mr. Vishnnpada Chatterji followed with further quotations from Government authorities, and aft'^r a Telugu speech from Mr, Parthasarati Naidu, the resolution was carried. Mr. Eardley Norton was called on to move Resolu- tion IV, asking for the abolition of the India Council, 188 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM without which the re-constitutioii of the Legislative Councils was useless. " At present we stand sand- wiched between officials in India and officials in Europe." The Council nieinl)ers were swayed by tlie same official interest, trained in the same official career, steeped in the same official pre- judices as the men out here, who, also with the best of intentions, are resolutely endeavouring to thwart and obstruct your nK)ral, material and political reforms. He quoted some striking opinions of English states- men on the way in which the Council and the Secretary of State worked ; no one seemed to know which was the real power : If the Secretary of State is to be controlled by the Council, then abolish the Secretary of State. If the Council is to be controlled by the Secretary of State, then abob"sh the Council. The dual existence is useless, danger- ous, expensive, obstructive. He gave instances of commercial incapacity, such as sanctioning the Calcutta and S. E. Railway against Lord Canning's protest, guaranteeing interest at 5 per cent, and when it was pi*actically bankrupt, buying it at half a million sterling. 5 per cent interest Avas guaranteed on a million sterling for the Madras Irri- gation Company, and as the work never paid its ex- penses, it was purchased for India at par. It bought at Rs. 1,000 j)er share the shares of the Elphinstone Land and Ih-ess Company, selling in the market at Rs. 339, A Council of twelve members so incapa- ble, at £ 1,200 a year each, was dear. Then politi- cally, Mr. Gladstone had remarked : Suddeidy in the dark, in the privacy of the Council Chamber, I believe in answer to a telegram, without the THE TENTH CONGRESS 189 knowledge of Parliament without the knowledge of the country, a law was passed, totally extinguishing the fi'eedom of the native press. I think a law such as that is a disgrace to the British Empire. What would Gladstone have said of the deeper disgrace of the Press Act of 1910 ? After a caustic review of the expenses of the India Council, including the wages of 28 housemaids, 1 housekeeper and 8 charwomen, Mr. Norton gave way to Mr. R. N. ^ludholkar, who seconding the Resolution remarked that the Council was supposed to protect Indian interests, but it had failed and egregiously. The Resolution was passed, and an invitation from the Cosmopolitan Ckib for the 29tli December was extend- ed to the Congress, The third day, the 28th December, Itegan with Resolution V, asking for a Select Committee of the House of Commons to enquire into Indian finance, and Rai Bahadur C. Jambulingam Mudaliar gave some striking facts to prove the need for enquiry. He specially thanked Mr. Westland, the Financial Secretary to the (Government of India, whose sophistry and bad logic had attracted exceptional attention to the Indian Budget, and exposed Sir Richard Temple's fatuous statements. Mr. H. Morgan-Browne seconded, and took up the question of the Famine Insurance Fund, quoting the solemn promise of the Gov^ernment that the money liaised by the new taxation should be devoted wholly to Famine Relief and Insurance, and yet out of 24 crores of rupees thus raised only 16 crores had been 190 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM used as promised. He touched on the Exchange Compensation, on the " Stores/' one of the meanest and most corrupt departments ; India was made to pay Rs. 120,000 for a ball in Constantinople, on the ground that it was well for India to be on good terms with the Sultan of Turkey — by means of a ball, outraging Oriental and Musalman views of decency ! Mr. G. Subramania Iyer urged that there was no responsible authority to control Indian administration and remedy its defects, and the interests of India suffered. Sir William Hunter in The Times impugned the honesty of the Government of India, and where such accusations were made enquiry was needed. After two other speeches the Resolution was carried. The Hon, Mr. Surendranath Bannerji was then called on to move Resolution VI, on the evergreen subject of Simultaneous Examinations, and laid special stress on the way in which the promises of equal treatment had been broken. He concluded with a glowing picture of the land of promise on which their eyes were fixed, where their fetters will fall off, their badjj^e of political slavery will disappear where under the fostering influence of free political institutions, they will develop a civilisation the noblest which the world has ever seen, the emblem of indissoluble union between England and India, a civilisation fraught with unspeak- able blessings to the people of India, and unspeakable renown to the English name. The Hon. Raja Rampal Singh seconded, and was followed by Mr. R. Venkata Subba Rao, Moulvi Hafiz Abdul Rahim, Mr. M. V. Joshi, and Professor G. K. Gokhale. The last-named pointed out that THE TENTH CONGRESS 191 the idea of an " irreducible minimum of Europeans in the Service " had now been boldly put forward for the first time. The Secretary of State and the Government now said that the highest posts must " for all time to come be held by Europeans ". That meant that the present arrangement sliould be perpetuated and is, in fact, an attempt to keep us always under as a subject race. Gentlemen, is it not plainly our duty as men not to allow this barefaced attempt to succeed P . . . Let our opponents put themselves into our position, and then say what they would feel. I believe thej' will allow that it is not wrong to love one's country. I believe they will allow that it is not wrong to have a high ideal for one's country. And then I believe they will allow that it is not wrong for us to be dissatisfied with our present condition. Well, gentlemen, the pledges of equal treatment whicli England has given us have supplied us with a high and worthy ideal for our Nation ; and if these pledges are repudiated, one of the strongest claims of British rule to ovir attachment will disappear. Mr. Gokhale was followed by Mr. Ghulam Ahmed Khan and Mr. Seymour Keay, who remarked that the Blue Book had " not a hint or whisper in it of any admission that the natives of India have even the faintest right to live on their own soil, much less that they have any preferential claim over the other subjects of the British Empire to administer in their own countr}' ". The Resolution was then carried unanimously. The Hon. Mr. N. Subba Rao moved Resolution VII on the recruitment for the Judicial Service, and com- plained of the system which made men judges with- out any sufficient training in law. These gentlemen 192 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM then supplied some of the Judges of the High Court, SO that " litigation has become a question of gambling, and no one can be sure, notwithstanding he has a good case, that that would be the view which would prevail in the Courts ". Mr. K. G. Natu seconded, Mr. A. R. Krishna Iyer supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution YIII on the Medical Service was moved by Dr. Bahadurji, who proved by definite figures and facts the gross injustice done by tlie privileged position of the members of the I. M.S. to the Sub- ordinate Medical Service, though some of the latter had passed higher educational tests than the men of the I.M.S. The latter rose from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,500, while the former rose from Rs, 100 to Rs. 200. He also urged : Then there are two other enlistments for the sub- ordinate service — one military and the other civil — tlie former being open to Christians only. But see what difference the element of religion makes in the treatment accorded to the two classes. John, the Christian, and Pandu, the non-Christian, both seek admission to tlieii' respective services. John, the Christian, need not know- more than the High School fourth standard, reading, writing, and sum.s, but Pandu, the non-Christian, must pass a much higher test. They both go through tlie same professional course and examination. If anjtln'ng, i^andu has to undergo a severer examination. John, the Christian, then begins as a Military Apothecary, and works under the regimental Surgeons. His salary ranges from Rs. 50 to Rs. 450. He may, however, he promoted to the uncovenanted grade and given even Rs. 750 by being found a post in the Civil Depart- ment. His new designation is Assistant Surgeon, I. M.S., and he rises from tlie rank of Lieutenant to that of THE TENTH CONGEE SS 193 Major. But Pandu, the non-Christian, begins as a Hospital Assistant and dies a Hospital Assistant. His work is as vast as it is responsible. He practises medicine, sui^orery and midwifery. He it is who really dispels the ignor- ance and prejudice of the masses in regard to the western system of medicine. He treats a thousand times more cases in a month than the highest officer of a hospital does in a year. On his judgment, intelligence and integrity depend the lives of his fellow citizens in the Muffasal, questions of life and death turning upon the nature of his evidence in medico-legal cases. But, alas ! the respectability and responsibility of this most important servant of the State are in an inverse ratio, and that too in very abnormal proportions. One feels almost ashamed to say that the non-Christian Paudu, who does such responsible and excellent work for the Go\'ernment is paid no higher salary than is paid to a senior punk a- walla in the hospital, or a cook or a coachman. The scale of his^ pay is Rs. 16 to Rs. 80 odd. The Resolution was seconded by Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, supported by Dr. M. G. Desmukh and carried. The last Resolution of the day was No. IX, on^ Legislative Councils, proposed by Pandit Madan. Mohan Malaviya^ seconded by Bakshi Jaislii Ram, supported by three others and carried. The President announced the sad and unexpected death of the Maharaja of Mysore, just before the Congress adjourned, and on the following day, December 29th, the first business done was the passing in silence of a resolution of grief for his loss. The last day of the Congress was, as usual, crowd- ed, no less than 18 resolutions being crushed into it. The Hon. Mr. Setalvad proposed Resolution XI, the extension of trial by jury, the restoring of finality ta 17 194 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the verdicts given by juries as before 1872, and the removal of the Government's power to appeal against a^cquittals — that scandalous peculiarity of Indian law. Mr. K. N. Desmukh seconded, and Mr. AmbikaCharan Mozumdar made a splendid and argumentative speech in support, full of facts. The effect, he said finally, of the law was to divide the population into two castes, European Brahmanas and Indian Shudras, and after pointing out that the place where a murder was committed decided whether the accused should " be dealt with as a true citizen or as bondsman," he finished with a passionate appeal : Sir, we are judged without evidence, and condemned without trial ! Alas, we seem to be nobody's care. Even the Viceroy, whom we loyally welcome as a hereditary ruler, in his anxiety to accentuate the invidious distinction of colour, has lost no time in issuing on his own motion "Confidential circulars to protect the rights of those who virtually need no protection. But though the people have been long crying for help in this and other connections, the Gods are asleep, and thei*e is no response to their call. Is the race of British philanthropists extinct ? And have the mighty builders of this vast Empire left no heritage •of broad and noble ideals of justice for their successors ? We are not appealing to Jews or Cossacks, but to those for wdiom they proudly say Milton wrote and Sydney died, and for whom the Magna Carta was obtained ; and, in leaking our present appeal, we are asking not only for the protection of our life, liberty, and property, but also for the vindication of the honour and dignity of the great British Constitution. The Resolution was carried. Resolution XII, the familiar separation of Judicial and Executive functions, was moved, seconded, support- ed and carrit^d, and once more the status of a High THE TENTH CONGRESS 195 Court was claimed for the Panjab (No. XIII). No. XIV was on Military Expenditure, and was moved and seconded by two powerful speakers — the Hon. Mr. C. Sankaran Nair and Mr. D. E. W^acha. Being carried, it was followed by Resolution XY on Educa- tion, and then came the Omnibus, driven this time by Pandit Bishan Narayana Dhar. Four other speakers were the horses drawing it to victory. Resolution XVII protested against the further powers conferred on magistrates as most arbitrary, dangerous and unwise, and was carried after two short speeches by Messrs. R. N. Mudholkar and M. B. Namjoshi. Resolution XVIII thanked the Government of India for its circular in October 1894, declaring that fiscal interests must be subordinated to the needs of the ryots in the management of forests, a good result of the three preceding Sessions of the Congress. A Government of India Notification of June, 1891, depriving the Press of liberty in territories under British administration in Feudatory States, formed the subject of the next Resolution (No. XIX), moved by Mr. P. Ramachandra Pillai, one of the delegates from Secunderabad, a place affected by the Notifica- tion, which ran as follows : Whereas some misapprehension has hitherto existed as to the regulations in force in territory under the administration of the Governor- General in Council, but beyond the limits of British India, with reference to newspapers published within such territory, the GJoAernor- General in Council has been pleased to make the followino- order : 196 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM 1. ISTo newspaper or other printed work, whether periodical or other, containing- public news or comments on public news shall, without the written permission for the time being in force of the Political Agent, be edited, printed, or published, after the 1st day of August 1891, in any local area administered by the Governor- General in Council but not forming part of British India. 2. If after the day aforesaid any person shall without such permission as aforesaid edit, print, or publish any such newspaper or other work as afoi'esaid in any such local area as aforesaid the Political Agent may by order in writing ; (a) require him to leave such local area within seven days from the date of such order ; (b) and prohibit him from re-entering such local area without the written permission of the Political Agent. 3. If any such order as is mentioned in the last fore- going paragraph be disobeyed, the offender shall be liable to forcible expulsion from such local area in pur- suance of an order to be made in writing by the Political Agent. It may be noted that at the present time (Septem- ber, 1915) Sir Hugh Daly, Resident in Bangalore, has, under this, stopped an English paper which has existed there for many years. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer, then Editor of The Hindu, seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XX brought up the consideration of the Water-cess, varying in amount at the will of the Government, and urged that it shouhl be levied on some fixed principle. It was effectively moved by Mr. G. Venkataratnam, seconded by Mr V. V. Avadhani, supported by Mr, S. B. Sankaram and carried. THE TENTH CONGEESS 197 A protest Resolution (iSTo. XXI) against the disfranchisement of Indians in S. Africa — the first of many protests, was moved from the Chair and carried. Resohition XXII nominated a deputation to Lord Elgin, the Viceroy, and Mr. Fowler, the Secretary of State, to present to them some of the Congress resolutions. Resolutions XXIII and XXIV, on the grant to the British Committee and conveying the thanks of the Congress for their work ; Resolution XXV, re-appointing Mr. A. 0. Hume as General Secretary; Resolution XXVI, fixing the next meeting of the Congress at Poona, were carried. The President then moved an important Resolution (No. XXVII) for shaping a Constitution for the Congress, and requested the Standing Congress Committee of Poona to draft and circulate draft rules among the remaining Standing Committees for report, the whole to be considered by the next Congress. A vote of thanks was then passed to the President, and with his brief reply the Tenth Congress closed. RESOLUTIONS Excise Duty I. Resolved-- (a) That this Congress respectfully enters its emjjhatic pro- test against the injustice and impolicy of imposing excise duty on Cottons manufactured in British India, as such excise is calculated to cripple seriously the infant Mill Industry of this counti-y. (b) That this Congress puts on record its firm conviction that in proposing this excise the interests of India have been sacri- ficed to those of Lancashire, and it strongly deprecates any such surrender of Indian interests by the Secretary of State. (c) That in case the Excise Bill becomes law this Congress earnestly prays that the Government of India will without delay seek the sanction of the Secretary of State to exercise the powers 198 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM which the Bill confera on Government to exempt all Cottons from " twenties " to " twenty-fours " from the operation of the Act. (d) That the President be authorised to telegraph the above Resolution to the Goveimment of India and to the Secretary of State. Permanent Settlement II. Resolved — (a) That this Congjress desires to express the profound alarm which has been created by the action of Government in inter- fering with the existing Permanent Settlement in Bengal and Behar (in the matter of Survey and other cesses) and with the terms of sanads of permanently settled estates in Madras ; and, deeming such interference with solemn pledges a national calamity, hereby pledges itself to oppose in all possible legitimate ways all such re-actionary attacks on Permanent Settlements and their holders, and resolves to petition Parliament in that behalf, (b) That this Congress regrets extremely that the Govern- ment of India have not only failed to carry out the pledges (given by the Secretary of State in his despatches of 1862 and 1865) for Per- manent Settlement in the Provinces in which it does not exist, but have also failed to give effect to the policy of granting modified fixity nf tenure and 'immunity from enhancements laid down in 1882 and 1884 by the Government of India and approved by the Secretary of State ; and this Congress hereby entreats the Govern- ment of India to grant a modified fixity of tenure and immunity from enhancement of land-tax for a sufficiently long period of not less than sixty years, so as to secui-e to landholders the full benefits of their own improvements. Poverty III. Resolved — That this Congress, concurring in the views set forth in previous Congresses, affirms : That fully fifty millions of the poj)ulation, a number yearly increasing, are dragging out a miserable existence on the verge of starvation, and that, in every decade, several millions actually perish by starvation. And humbly urges, imce mure, that imniediate steps bo taken to remedy this calamitous st;ite of affairs. India Council IV. Resolved — That this Congress considers the Abolition of the Council of the Secretary of State for India, as at present constituted, the necessary ])reliminary to all other reforms ; and suggests that in its place a Standing Committee of Members of the Hou.se of Commons be a])]K)int('d. THE TENTH CONGRESS 199 Finance V. Resolved — That this Congress, while thanking Her Majesty's Government for the promise they have made to appoint a Select Committee of Members of Parliament to enquire into the financial expenditure of India, regards an enquiry with so limited a scope as inadequate, and is of opinion that if the enquiry is to bear any practical fruit it must include an enquiry into the ability of the Indian people to bear their existing financial biu-dens, and into the financial relations between India and the United Kingdom. XIV. Resolved — That having regard to the fact that the embarrassed condition of the finances of the country has been giving cause for grave anxiety for some years past, this Congress records its firni conviction that the only remedy for the present state of things is a material curtailment in the expenditure on the Army Services and other Military Expenditure, Home Charges, and the cost of Civil Administration, and in view of the proposed appointment of a Parliamentary Committee to investigate the subject, this Congress strongly recommends that the Standing Congress Committees of the several Presidencies and Provinces should, so far as practicable, make arrangements to send to England at least one well-qualified delegate from each Presidency or Province to urge such reduction before the Committee. Public Service VI. Resolved — (a) That this Congress expresses its deep sense of disappoint- ment at the despatch of the Secretary of State supporting the views of the Government of India on the question of Simultaneous Exam- inations, and this Congress hereby places on record its respectful but firm protest against the despatch, as, among other things, introducing a new principle inconsistent with the Charter Act of 1833 and the Proclamation of the Queen of 1st November 1858 (the solemn pledges contained in which the Secretary of State and the Government of India now seek to repudiate) by creating a disability founded upon race, for the despatch lays down that a minimum of European officials in the Covenanted Service is indispensable. (b) That in the opinion of this Congress the creation of the- Provincial Service is no satisfactory or permanent solution of the' problem, as this Service, constituted as it is at present, falls short, of the legitimate aspirations of the people, and the interests of the- subordinate Service will not sufi'er by the concession of Simultaneous: Examinations. (c) That no attempt has been made to make out a case against the holding of Simultaneous Examinations for the recruit- ment of the Engineering, Forest, Telegraph and the higher Police 200 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM Service Exaniinatious, and the Congress regrets to notice that the despatches of the Secretary of State, the Government of India, and the various local Governments are absolutely si'ent with regard to this aspect of the Resolution of the House of Commons. (d) That this Congress resijectfully urges on Her Majesty's Oovernment that the Resolution of the House of Commons of 2nd June, 1893, on the question of Simultaneous Examinations should be speedily carried out as an act of justice to the Indian people. Liegal VII. Resolved — That this Congress views with great •dissatisfaction the system of recruiting the higher Judicial Service of the coimtry, and is of oijinion that provision should be made for proper Judicial training being given to persons who are appointed to the post of District and Sessions Judge, and that the higher Judicial Service in Bengal, the N.W.P. and Oudh, Bombay and Madras, and the Judicial Service generally in other parts of the country, should be more largely recruited from the legal profession than is now the case. XI. Resolved — (a) That, in the opinion of this Congress, the time has now arrived when the system of trial by Jury may be safely extended, in cases triable by Sessions Courts, to many parts of the country where it is not at present in force. (b) That, in the opinion of this Congress, the innovation made in 1872 in the system of trial by Jury, depriving the verdicts of Juries of all finality, has pro%^ed injurious to the country, and that the powers, then, for the first time, vested in Sessions Judges and High Courts, of setting aside verdicts of acquittal, should be at once withdrawn. (c) That in the opinion of this Congress it is extremely desirable that the power at present vested in Government to appeal against acquittals be taken away. XII. Resolved — That this Congress having till now vainly appealed for many successive years to the Government of India, and also to the Secretary of State, to remove one of the gravest <3efects in the system of administration and one fraught with "incalculable oppression to all classes of people throughout the country, and having noted with satisfaction the admission of the ■evil by two former Secretaries of State (Lord Kimberley and Lord Cross), and being of opinion that the reform is thoroughly practicable, as has been shown by Messrs. R. D. Dutt, M. M. Ghose •and P. M. Mehta, entreats the Government of India to direct the immediate appointment in each Province of a Committee (one-half ■at least of whose members shall be non-official natives of India, THE TENTH CONGRESS 201 qualified by education and experience in the workings of various Courts to deal with the question) to prej)are a scheme for the complete separation of all Judicial and Executive functions in their own Province with as little additional cost to the State as may be practicable, and the submission of such schemes, with the opinions of the several Governments thereon, at an early date. XIII. Resolved — That this Congress reaffirms the opinion of the preceding Congress that the time has now come to raise the status of the Chief Coui-t of the Panjab to that of a Chartered High Court in the interests of the administration of justice in this Province. XVII. Resolved — That this Congress hereby empowers its President to convey to the Government of India its opinion that the powers proposed to be conferred on District Magistrates by amendments and additions to section 15 of Police Act V of 1861, with respect to the levy of the costs of punitive police and of granting compensation, are of a most arbitrary, dangerous, and unprecedented character. Medical Service VIII. Resolved— (a) That this Congress is of opinion that the present constitution of the Higher Civil Medical Service is anomal- ous, indefensible in principle, injurious in its working, and un- necessarily costly ; that the time has arrived when in the interests of Public Medical Education, and the advancement of Medical Service and of scientific work in the country, as also in the cause of economic administration, the Civil Medical Service of India should be reconstructed on the basis of such Service in other civilised countries, wholly detached from and independent of the Military Service. (b) That the very unsatisfactory position and prospects of Members of the Subordinate Civil Medical Service (Assistant- Surgeons and Civil Hospital Assistants) comjjared with members of similar standing in other departments of the Public Service, require thorough investigation and redress, and prays that Government will grant for the purpose an open enquiry by a mixed Commission of official and non-official members. (c) That whilst this Congress views with satisfaction the desire of the Imperial Government to reorganise the Chemical Analyser's department with a view to its administration as an inde- pendent scientific department, it earnestly hopes that Government will not fail to recognise the responsible and meritorious work of Assistants, or as they in reality are. Government Chemical Analy- sers, and place them on the footing of Specialists. 202 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Legislative Councils and Rules IX. Resolved — (o) That this Congress, in concurrence with the preceding Congresses, considers that the creation of a Legislative Council for the Pi-ovince of the Panjab is an absolute necessity for the good Government of that Province, and having regard to the fact that a Legislative Council has been created for the N. W. Provinces, urges that no time be lost in creating such a Council for the Panjab. (b) That this Congress, in concurrence with the preceding Congress, is of opinion that the Rules now in force under the Indian Councils Act of 1892 are materially defective, and prays that His Excellency the Viceroy in Council will be pleased to have fresh Rules framed in a liberal spirit, with a view to a better working of the Act and suited to the conditions and requirements of each Province. Vote of Sympathy X. Resolved — That this Congress wishes to express its re- spectful condolence and sympathy with the Roj^al Family of Mysore in their recent sad and sudden bereavement, and at the same time to testify to its deep sense of the loss M-hich has been sustained in the death of the Maharaja of Mysore, not only by the State over which he ruled with such wisdom, ability and beneficence, but also by all the Indian peoples, to whom his constitutional reign was at once a vindication of their political capacity, an example for their active emulation, and an earnest of their future political liberties. Elducation XV. Resolved — That this Congress is emjihatically of opinion that it is inexpedient in the pi-esent state of Education in the country that Government grants for Higher Education should in any way be withdrawn, and, concurring with previous Congresses, affirms in the most emphatic manner the importance of increasing public expenditure on all branches of Education and the expediency of establishing Tcclmical Schools and Colleges. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions XVI. Resolved — That this Congress concurs with its predecessors in strongly advocating —j)revious (a) — (i) (j) The discontinuance of the Exchange Compensation allowance granted to undomiciled European and Eurasian employees of Government, involving an annual expenditure of over a crore of rupees while the E.xchequer is in a condition of chronic embarrass- ment. (A) Tlie giving effect to the Report of tlie Parliamentary meinbers of the India Office Committee on tlie subject of the Rules, THE TENTH CONGRESS 203 Orders, and Practices in Indian Cantonments, with reg'ard to prostitution and contagious disease, and the endorsing of their conclusions : (I) That the system and incidental practices described in that Report, and the statutory riiles, so far as they authoi-ised or permitted the same, did not accord with the plain meaning and intention of the Resolution of the House of Commons of June 5th, 1888; and (II) That the only effective method of jjreventing these systematic malpractices is by express legislation. Forest Administration XVIII. Resolv-ed — That this Congress records its deep-felt gratitude to the Government of India for its circular resolution No. 22/F, published in the Supplement to The Gazette of India, dated 20th October, 1894, and its high appreciation of the generous prin- ciple, which it enunciates, of subordinating fiscal interest to the needs and agricultural interests of the ryot population in the management of forests. And would further repi'esent that in forests falling under classes 3 and 4 of the said resolutions, fuel, grazing concessions, fodder, small timber for building houses and making agricultural implements, edible forest products, etc., may be granted free of charge in all cases, under such restrictions as to quantity, etc., as the Government may deeni proper ; and that wherever hardship may be felt, under present conditions, the policy of the said Resolution may be carried out with reference to existing Forest areas, and the existing Reserve boundaries so adjusted as to leave a sufficiently large margin to facilitate the enjoyment bj' the agricultural population of their communal rights without molesta- tion and annoyance by the minor subordinates of the Department. Coercion of the Press XIX. Resolved — That this Congress, being of opinion that the Government of India Notification of 25th June, 1891, in the Foreign Department, gagging the Press in territories under British admi- nistration in Native States, is retrograde, arbitrary, and mischievous in its nature, and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the people, most respectfully enters its emphatic protest against the same and entreats its cancellation without delay. Water-Cess XX. Resolved — That this Congress views witJi apprehension the arbitrary policy of the Government of India with regard to the imposition of water-cess, introducing as it does a disturbing element in taxation, and suggests that the imposition of the said cess be 204 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM regulated by certain defined principles affording security to the rights of landowners and of persons investing money in land. South Africa XXI. Eesolved — That this Congress earnestly entreats Her Majesty's Government to grant the prayer of Her Majesty's Indian subjects, resident in the South African Colonies, by vetoing the Bill of the Colonial Government disenfranchising them. Deputations XXII. Resolved — That a deputation consisting of the following gentlemen be appointed for the purpose of presenting Resolutions numbered 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 and 21 to His Excellency Lord Elgin ; and that the British Committee of the National Congress be requested to arrange a similar deputation to wait upon the Secretary of State for India in London. From Bengal and Behar -. — His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur of Durbhanga, Sir Romesh Chandra Mitra, Kf., Hon Mr. W. C. Bannerji, Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, Mr. J Ghosal, Babu Saligrain Singh, Mr. Shuref-tid-din, Rai Jotendranath Chau- dhuri and Babu Baikunthanath Sen. From the Norfh-West Provinces-. — Hon. Raja Rampal Singh, and Hon. Babu Charu Chandra Mitra. From Oudh : — Sheikh Raja Hussein Khan, Mr. Hamid Ali Khan and Babu Gokal Chand. From the Panjah : — Sardar Dayal Singh Majithia, Mr. Kali Prasanna Rai, Mr. Jussawala, Shaik Umar Bunksh, Lala Murlidhar and Bakshi Jaishi Ram. From Bojnhay. — Hon. Mr. P. M. Mehta, CLE. From the Central Provinces : — Hon. Mr. G. M. Chitnavis and Rai Bahadur C. Narainswami Naidu. From Poona -. — Rao Bahadur V. M. Bhide, Mr. S. B. Bhate, Mr. N. B. Mule and Mr. P. L. Nagpurkar. From Berar -. — Rao Sahab Deorao Vinayek. From Madras -. — Manivikram, Raja of Calicut, Hon. Mr. Sabapati Mudaliar, Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu and Mr. G. Subramania Iyer. Congress Work XXIII. Resolved— TliMt a sum of lis. 60,000 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and the cost of the Congress publication, India, and that the several circles do contribute as arranged, either now, or hereafter in Committee, for the year 189.5. THE TENTH CONGRESS 205 Thanks of Congress XXIV. Resolved — That this Coiigi-ess hereby tenders its most grateful thanks to Sir W. Wedderburn and the other members of the British Congress Committee for the services rendered by them to India during the present year. Formal XXV. Eesolved — That this Congress reappoints Mr. A. 0. Hume, C.B., to be its General Secretary for the ensuing year. XXVI. Resolved — That the Eleventh Indian National Congress do assemble on sucb day after Christmas Day, 1895, as may be later determined tipon, at Poona. Congress Constitution XXVII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the time has come when the Constitution of the Congress should be settled, and rules and regulations laid down as to the number of Delegates, their qualifications, the localities for assemblage, and the like, and with this view the Congi-ess requests the Standing Congress Committee of Poona to draw up draft rules and circulate them among the different Standing Congress Committees for their report ; these reports, together with the draft rules and the report thereon to be laid before the next Congress for its consideration. CHAPTER XI The second decade of the life of the National Congress opened at Poona, the great capital city of Maha- rashtra, on December 27, 1895, and it sat for three days, December 27, 28 and 30, the 29th being omitted, as a Sunday. No less than 1,584 delegates were pre- sent, and there was a huge crowd of visitors. Tlie Bombay (1,246), Sindh (11) ... 1,257 Berar, C. P. ... 131 N.W. P. and Oudh ... 24 Bengal ... 51 Pan jab 3 Madras ... 118 1,584 The proceedings of tlie Congress opened as usual with the welcome address of the Chairman of the Reception Committee, Rao Bahadur V. M. Bhide, a noble and venerable man of seventy years of age, who, after a word of welcome, asked Professor G. K. Gokhale — " as I am a very old man " — to read his speech. At Poona it was, he said, that Mr. A. 0. Hume had first discussed the scheme of the Congress THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 207 with his Indian friends ; Poona had been first chosen for its gathering, though the meeting had to be transferred to Bombay ; and it was fitting that its second ten years' cycle should begin there. The speech was a particularly fine one, commencing with a reminder that a hundred years before Poona had been the centre of a Confederacy Avhich held together the continent of India from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, from Dwaraka to Cuttack, and vindicating India's Nationhood. Met there were they, he said, to " do all that is in their power to build up the great Indian Nation, which has been their aspiration by day and dream by night, and which, if not fulfilled before their eyes, will certainly be accomplished in the near future ". It was for them to justify those hopes and aspirations, " to realise the dream of a united and federated India ". The Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji had been chosen as President, a man who " joins in himself all that is good and enlightened in young and in old India," holding "the foremost place in the hearts of what may well be called the hope and blossom of coming years — the hearts of many thousands of students ". The Hon. Mr. P. Ananda Charlu proposed. Dr. K. N. Bahadurji seconded, and Mr. E. N. Mudholkar supported the election of the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, and it was carried by acclamation. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, after a few graceful words of thanks, referred to a difference that had arisen as to the Social Conference — put an end to by 208 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM tlie tolerant and wise action of Mr. Justice Ranade — and said that the Congress was not of one social party rather than another : It is the Cong'ress of United India, of Hindus and Muhamraadaiis, of Christians, of Parsis and of Sikhs, of those who would reform their social customs and those who would not. Here we stand upon a common platform — here we have all agreed to bury our social and religious diiferences, and recognise the one common fact that being subjects of the same Sovereign and living under the same Governmejit and the same political institutions, we have common rights and common grievances. And we have called forth this Congress into existence with a view to safeguard and extend our rights and redress our grievances. The President then earnestly besought the delegates, to shape a Constitution for the Congress. In 1887 the Congress appointed a Committee to consider what rules, if any, should be framed. They reported, and a Resolution was passed to circulate the suggested rules to the Standing Congress Com- mittees who were to work on them and report to the next Congress of 1888. That was passed in Madras, and nothing was done till the Congress returned to Madras in 1894, although at Lahore, in 1893, a wish for a Constitution was expressed. In 1894, the Stand- ing Committee at Poona was requested to draw up and circulate rules ; they drew them up, at the last moment, and sent them round, but there were no reports from the other Standing Committees. Let them form a Committee to frame rules and report on the last day, not circulating them to the Committee : " That is the old plea for inaction. We shall not THE ELEVENTH CONGEESS 209 have any rules at all if we are to repeat the hapless experiment of former years." Turning to National aifairs,- the President pointed out the utter inadequacy of the Councils Act of 1892 ; for instance, Bengal, with a population of 70 millions, had 7 elected members. The right of inter- pellation had been usefully exercised. The members were allowed to talk about the Budget, but might not move any resolution thereon. He then discussed the tremendous increase of the military expenditure due to the frontier and other wars carried on by the Government. The whole policy was both wrong and ruinous. " Let me tell the Government of India, in your name, that the true scientific frontier against Russian invasion does not lie in some remote inaccessible mountain, which has yet to be discovered, nor is it to be found in the House of Commons, as some one said; but it lies deep in the heart of a loyal and contented people." Having considered other points of expenditure and the woeful poverty of the people, the President touched on import duties, the exchange compensation allowance, the question of industries, and the then sitting Royal Commission to enquire into Indian expenditure. He spoke bitterly of the exchision of Indians from the higher branches of the Services, especially the Army, " this ostracism of a whole people, " and quoted Sir Henry Lawrence : " If Asiatics and Africans can obtain honourable position in the armies of Russia, and France, surely Indians, after a tried service of a century under England's banner, are entitled 18 210 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM to the same boon, nay, justice." He reviewed many other matters in the field of Indian politics, and urged that they should be made party questions in the English Parliament. After expressing gratitude for the improvements so far made, the President concluded : Nevertheless we feel that much yet remains to be done, and the impetus must come from Pjno-land. To England we look for inspiration and guidance. To England we look for sympathy in the struggle. From England must come the crowning mandate which will enfranchise our peoples. England is our political guide and our moral preceptor in the exalted sphere of political duty. English history has taught us those principles of freedom which we cherish Math our life-blood. We have been fed upon the strong food of English constitutional freedom. We have been taught to admire the eloquence and genius of the great masters of English political philosophy. We have been brought face to face with the struggles and the triumphs of the English people in their stately march towards constitutional freedom. Where will you find better models of courage, devotion, and sacrifice ; not in Rome, not in Greece, not even in France in the stormy days of the Revolution — courage tempered by caution, enthusiasm leavened by sobriety, partisanship softened by a large-hearted charity — all subordinated to the one pi'edominating sense of love of country and love of God. . . . The noblest heritage which we can leave to our children and our children's children is the heritage of enlarged rights, safeguarded by the loyal devotion and the fervent enthusiasm of an emancipated people. Let us so work with confidence in each other, with unwavering loyalty to the British connection, that we may accomplish this great object within a measurable distance of time. Then will the Congress have fulfilled its mission — justified the hopes of those who founded it, and who worked for it — not, indeed, by the supersession of British rule in India, but bv broadening its basis, liberalising its spirit, ennoliling THE ELEVENTH CONCJREvSS 211 its character, and placing- it upon the unchangeable foundations o£ a nation's affections. It is not severance that we look forward to — but unification, permanent embodiment as an ii:itegral part of that great Empire which has given the rest of the world the models of free institutions — that is what we aim at. But per- manence means assimilation, incorporation, equal rights, equal privileges. Permanence is incompatible with any form of military despotism, which is a temporary makeshift adapted to a temporary purpose. England is the august mother of free Nations. Slie has covered the world with free States. Places, hitherto the chosen abode of barbarism, are now the home of freedom. Wherever floats the flag of Pjngland, there free (xovernments have been established. We ajipeal to England gradually to change the character of her rule in India, to liberalise it, to shift its foundations, to adapt it to the newly-developed enviroianents of the country and the people, so that, in the fulness of time, India may find its place in the great confederacy of free States, English in their origin, English in their character, English in their institutions, rejoicing in their pei-manent and indissoluble union with England, a glory to the mother-country, and an honour to the human race. Then will England have fulfilled her great mission in the East, accomplished her high destiny among Nations, repaid the long-standing debt which the West owes to the East, and covered herself with imperishal)le renown and everlasting glory. The speecli was an e.xceptionally tine one, both for matter and manner, keeping throughout a high level of sustained eloquence, and it was enthusiastically cheered. The Subjects Committee was approved, and the Congress adjoui'ned. On the second day, Mr. Ghosal moved, and Mr. Jaishi Ram seconded Resolution I, which ordered that the draft rules framed l)y the Poona Council should he circulated, with instructions to i-eport to 212 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the General Secretary and Standing Counsel three months before the next Congress, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Baikunthanath Sen moved Kesolution II, stating the opinion that the enquiry on Expenditure could not be satisfactory unless evidence were given other than official and Anglo-Indian, The value of the Commis- sion did not lie in tlie examining of accounts, but in an enquiry into the policy, which was at the root of the expenditure. This view was supported by the seconder, the Hon. Mr. Jambulingam Mudaliar, who pointed out that enquiry should be made into the enormous Home (Foreign) Charges, and the purchase of all stores in England, instead of developing manufactures here ; also into the trans-frontier warfare and the scientific boundary search. Why should the enquiry be heard in camera, like an indecent divorce suit ? there was nothing private about it. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya spoke of the joy with which India had welcomed direct Govern- ment by the Crown, believing that the transfer meant a share in free institutions and an improvement of the condition of the people. But the bureaucracy which ruled them forced them to doubt if they were right in their joy. Far more attention was paid to India, thei-e was a keener desire to see that no injustice was done, and the interests of the people were mcn-e considered, before the Crown took over the Government. When the East India Company applied for the renewal of their charter every 20 years, a Parliamentary Committee enquired into their THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 213 administration and reforms were made. But since the Crown took things over, there had been no such enquir3^ They said to England : If you do not think us fit to govern ourselves ; if you think we cannot understand our own finances, and say what we can and what we cannot spend, considering what our means are ; if you think you are better judges of it, pray devote a little time and attention to the consideration of these matters. If you cannot find time to do so, permit us, pray, to do it. Why make us suffer by reason of your inability to attend to our concerns, and by preventing us from attending to them, from doing what we are most anxious to do, not only in our own interests Init in the interests of the Government as well P The eloquent speaker concluded : I ask English gentlemen, I ask the people of fhigland, to seriously consider the position in which India is placed. That position is simply this. Educated Indians, repi'esenting the cultured intelligence of the countrj', have been praying for an enquiry, a full and fair enquiry, into the administration of this country during the last fort\' years. We have impeached that administration on almost every conceivable ground. We charge the Government of England, with having saddled us with an unnecessarily costly expenditure on the Civil Service of India ; we charge them with having forced upon us a crushingly heavy military expenditure ; we charge them with indulging in a great Avaste of India's money beyond the borders of India ; we charge them with Avant of fairness in their dealings Avith India in the matter of the Home Charges ; nay more, we charge them — the Government of India, the GoAernment of England and the people of England with them — with being responsible, by reason of their neglect to adequately perform their duty towards India, for the loss of millions of liA^es Avhich are lost in eA^ery decade from starvation, largely the result of OA-er-taxation and inefficient administration. 214 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM We charge the people of England, because as some one has said, Hear him, ye senates, liear tliis trutli sublime, He who allows oppression shares the crime. If the English Parliament, if the people of England, who have solemnly taken upon themselves the duty of governing India, by reason of their neglect to do that duty properly, allow any loss of life to occur in India Avhich they could prevent, they are surely answerable be- fore God and man for that loss of life. In the face of such an impeachment, does it become the great English people and the English Parliament to give us a lame Commission, to enquire imperfectly into one bi'anch only of this administration ? Would it not become them rather to stand up, like true Englishmen, and say: " We shall face all these various charges, and either prove them to be untrue, or admit that they are true and make amends for them." The charges are not of a light nature nor are they lightly made, and if the English people do not care to enquire into them in the interests of their Empire, if they care not to do so in the interests of suffering humanity, if they do it not, even as a matter of duty, let them do it at least for the sake of the honour of England, which, I liope and trust, is still dear to every Englishman. The Resolution was then carried. Finance was still to the fore, and Resolution III dealt with Civil and Military expenditure. If the Commission would not go into policy, the Congress would, and Mr. Waclia pointed out that Sir James Westland had seriously misrepresented the facts by saying that the increase was due to the ex- change, and that General Sir Henry Brackenbury had joined him by saying that, out of 62 lakhs of increase, 57.^ were due to the fall in exchange. Mr. Wacha THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 215 gave the official figures, proving the inaccuracy of the statement beyond possibility of dispute.' Munshi Shaik Hussain seconded, Mr. S. K. Nair and Dr. K. N. Bahadurji supported, and The Resolu- tion was carried unanimously. Resolution IV, the perennial separation of Judicial and Executive functions, was moved, this year by Mr. Mano Mohan Grhose. He added to the arsenal a statement by Mr, James, a Commissioner, in which he said that the union was " the mainstay of the British power in India " — a sorry confession. The Hon. Mr. C. Setalwad seconded, four other delegates supported, and it was carried. Mr. W. C. Bannerji, in proposing the extension of the Jury system (Resolution V), made a new point in urging that a judge, translating in his mind the vernacular of a rustic witness, was too engrossed with the language to properly attend to the witness ; Indian jurymen, understanding the language, would watch the demeanour of witnesses and would distin- guish truthful speech from false. He feared that the strange changes which were being introduced into criminal procedure would shake the faith of the people in the administration of justice. Mr. Venkatasubba. Iyer seconded, and Mr. Venkatrao Gutikar, in sup- porting, pointed to the practical identity between the Panchayat and the Jury, and the Marathi proverb : " The Five are the Voice of God." Sir Thomas Munro, in 1825, noted that the jury system was likely to suc- ceed in India, because the Indians were accustomed to sit on Panchayats, and were " in general sufficiently 216 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM expert in examining and weighing evidence ". The Resolution was carried, after three more speeches. Mr. Seymour Keay, in an able and fiery speech, moved Resolution VI, on the gagging of the Press at the will of the Resident in Indian States (see Noti- fication in Chapter X). In the State of Hyderabad several presses had been ruined, and in that State, bigger than the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, there was " not even a rag of an English newspaper published ". Mr. Ramachandra Pillai from Secunderabad seconded, and Mr. V. V. Modak spoke of Avhat had occurred in Mysore, and Mr. A. L. Desai in Kathiawar. The Resokition was passed. Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji, with great courage, brought up Simultaneous Examinations once again (Resolution VII), complaining that the deafness of the ■Government reminded him of the Bengali bogey, ^' khaun khutla," the cutter off of ears, only it was the Government whose ears were cut off. Three •other speakers foHowed and the Resolution Avas passed. The last Resolution on this day was the eighth, declaring that if England continued to use Indians in trans-frontier expeditions England should share the expense. This indubitably just proposal was moved by Mr. H. A. Wadia, in a ver}^ vigorous and sensible speech, condemning the "forward polic}'" ■advocated by Lord Roberts, Mr. Curzon and the brothers Younghusband. It was evil in policy and illegal in practice, for no right existed to use Her Majesty's forces beyond the frontiers, without the sancrion of Parliament. Asia Avas SAvept off the THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 217 surface of the globe, and Europe was advancing North and South and East ; "all that remains of the liv^ing Orient " was contained in Japan ; Russia and France threatened England in India ! Mr. D. G. Padliye seconded, Mr. W. A. Chambers supported, and with the passing of the Resolution, and a telegram to Mr. Gladstone on his 87th birthday, the Congress adjourned to December 30. The opening of the Congress on the third day was particularly interesting in view of subsequent events, for it asked the British to protect the Indians in South Africa, and Mr. G. Parameshvaram Pillai dealt specially with the disabilities imposed on them in the South African Republic — then existing. Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji asked if, in view of Her Majesty's Proclamation, it could be contended that the competi- tion of coloured traders with white ones was to be stop- ped by disqualifying the former ? Mr. J. M. Samant declared that the Act disfranchising Indians in South Africa v/as an insult to the whole Nation, but that the only hope of redress lay in appealing to English- men in England, "whose sense of Justice is not perverted and not contaminated by the slavery- producing atmosphere of Africa, or the tyranny- producing atmosphere of India". Mr. Vithal Lax- man complained that while Englishmen kept the peace in territories subject to them, " their idea of justice becomes changed and one-sided. . . when the question of race comes, justice is set aside or is at least one-sided ". The Resolution was carried. 218 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Tile tenth Resolution, moved by Mr. R. N. Mudhol- kar, dealt with ag-ricultural indebtedness, and urged that measures should be taken to lessen this indebted- ness without depriving the ryot of his right to dispose of land if he chose. Mr. R. P. Karandikar dealt specially with the rigidity of the revenue system. The Resolution was carried. Then followed Mr. V. R. Natu with Resolution XI, which asked that members, in making interpellations, might be allowed to preface a question with a short explanation, and the proposal Avas seconded by Mr. N. V. Gokhale, supported by Mr. P. S. Siva- swami Aiyar, and carried. Resolution XII was on the Medical Service, and was again introduced by Dr. K. N. Bahadurji, and as readers do not need as much repetition as is necessary for Grovernments, it is sufficient to say that it was seconded by the Hon. Mr. B. G. Tilak — whose speech, being in Marathi, is not reported — supported by three other delegates, and carried. Resolution XIII, on the danger of the method proposed by Government for suppressing law- touts, was moved by the Hon. Mr. N. Subbarau Pantulu, seconded by Rai Jotindranath Choudhuri, supported by Mr. M. V. Joslii and two others, and Mr. M. N. Samarth moved Resolution XIV, on fixity of land tenure, and ably summarised the arguments of an immense question in the very short time at his disposal. Mr. G. Venkataratnam seconded, and Mr. 1:5. G. Tilak and anotlier supported. THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 219 Mr. Pandurang Bapnji, an agriculturist from Berar, made a poignant speech, telling how the ryots of his Province lived ; the Survey officer reported they were happy, and though a few District officers, to their honour, reported against the proposal, the assessment was raised. He said : 1 give the following infornuition from the Berar Revenue Report for the year 1894-95. Out of the entire Berar soil nearly 77 lakhs of acres are brought under cultivation. Population of Berar is about 2b' lakhs and a half. Two acres and a half, therefore, of the land under cultivation, are used up by each individual. Javaree and cotton are the common crops. These two crops find place in sixty-eight out of a hundred acres of land under cultivation. During the year under report, one acre yielded 107 seers of javaree. The same area produced 44 seei's of cotton. In the market javaree was selling at 21^ seers per rupee, while cotton was selling at 9 seers a rupee. It is thus clear that the entire produce of the 2i acres of land which could be appropriated bj a single individual was worth about I2i rupees. Now the total amount of land-revenue in Berar is a little above 72 lakhs of rupees. Each individual has thus to pav to the Government about Rs. 2-8-0. Deducting this amount from the value of the produce at his command, he finds only 10 rupees, out of which he has still to defray the expenses incident to cultivation. Tin's mode of looking at things gives us an idea of how the cultivator lives. Upon the trash of some 7 or 8 silver pieces he is doomed to live One long year, shifting as best he can, thi'ough varied seasons, and battling with risks and dangers that human life is liable to meet with. It is better to imagine than realise the keen pain and anguish which is the lot of the cultivating classes. This situation is not a whit altered. It is the same all the years of their life. 80 per cent of the Berar population live upon the soil. I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, whether you really think, with these facts before you, that the Berar people are liappy and wealthy! 220 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Are they not steeped, over head and ears, in deep misery and woe ? The Government expends annually between 40 and 50 rupees on account of the maintenance of a single convict. The lawless and most dano-erous foes of human peace and safety are circumstanced five times better than the peace-loving and law-abiding sub- jects. It is strange how such a state of things can be tolerated by the benign and most impartial British Government. Now, these observations apply to the state of things as it once existed, while the old assessment rates were in force. I leave it, ladies and gentlemen, to you to conceive how cheerfully the contemplation of enhancement on the part of the Govern- ment would he welcome to the impoverished ryot ! Mr. Bhagiratli Prasad^ from the Central Provinces, further supported, and the Resolution was passed. The same gentleman moved Resolution XV, pix)- testing against the retrograde ])olicy of tlie Government in ii(>minating a member for the C. P. to the Supreme Council without any consultation with the Provinces he was supposed to represent. '^Die Resolution was seconded and carried. Resolution XVI, against the Exchange Compensa- tion, was moved by Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar in a characteristically fine speech ; he concluded by saying that "there ought to be reason in all things — even in the administration of India," and that " if from Pay to Pension, from Pension to Compensation, is to be the established order of financial progress of the Govern- ment, all tliat we Indians can say is, call it by any name you please, our legal pliraseology has but one expression for it : it is illegal gratification ". Mr. A. C. Parthasarathi seconded and, after two other speeches, the Resolution was carried. THE ELEVENTH CONGEESS 221 Resolution XYII thanked the Government for recognising the grievances of third class railway passengers, and asked them to proceed from recogni- tion to redress. Resolution XVIII repeated the protest against Forest Grievances, and XIX was against the Salt Tax. Professor G. K. Gokhale, in moving, compared the prosperous Manchester merchant with the starving, shrunken, shrivelled up Indian ryot, toil- ing and moiling from dawn to dark to earn his scanty meal, patient, resigned, forbearing beyond measui-e, entirely voiceless in the Parliament of his rulers, and meekly prepared to bear whatever burdens God and man might be pleased to impose upon his back. Mr. A. D. Upadhye seconded, saying that while they conld do, at a pinch, without cloth or hut, they could not do without salt ; a basket of salt which cost 1 pice (jth of an anna, or of a penny) cost Saunas in British India. " What enormous crime have we committed that all should be put to this unbearable punishment of going without enough salt from year's end to year's end ? " he concluded. The twentieth Resolution was on Education, repeat- ing previous demands and was carried. The twenty- first, supporting import duties on cotton, was moved by Mr. Wacha, " the fire-brand of Bombay," speaking out of full knowledge, seconded by the Hon. Mr. P. Ananda Charlu in three sentences, and supported by Mr. Tulsi Ram, representing the hand-weavers of Madura, and by one other speaker, and carried. The Omnibus (No. XXII) was driven this year by Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji, seconded by 222 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. N. M. Samarth, and supported by Rai Sangavani, who said he was an orthodox Hindu devotee, retired from the world, but he oif ered up to God " a meek and suppliant lieart, devoted to the interests of my country and to the salvation of my race ". Verily, a devotee of the ancient type, " intent upon the welfare of the world ". (3thers supported, and the Resolution was carried. The liour was late, and Resolutions XXIII to XXVI were rushed through, passing the grant to the British Committee, thanking it, appointing Mr. A. 0. Hume and Mr. D. E. Wacha as General Secretary and Joint General Secretary — the omission of this last officer in the previous year had not worked well — and fixing Calcutta for the meeting of the Congress in 1896. A vote of thanks to the Chair, and a few eloquent words from the President — especially urging the young to carry on the work to " be entrusted to your care and to your keeping ^' — closed the meeting, and the Eleventli Congress rose. RESOLUTIONS Congress Constitution 1. Resolved — That the (h-aft rules in regard to tlie constitution and working of the Indian National Congress, as framed by the Foona Congress Committee in accordance with the resolution, in that behalf, of the last Congress, be circulated by the Poona Com- mittee to all the Standing Congress Coniinittees, with instructions to report to the General Secretary and the Standing Counsel at least three months before the next Congress. Finance n. Resolved-That this Congress is of opinion that the en- (piirv by tli(! Kxpenditure (Joniuiissiou will not he satisfHCtory to the THE ELEVKNTH CONGRESS 223 people of this country, nor be of any practical advantage to the; Government, unless the lines of jjolicy which regulate exijenditure are enquired into, and unless facilities are afforded and arrange- ments made for receiving evidence other than official and Anglo- Indian. And this Congress also feels that the enquiry would, in all probability, yield better results, if the proceedings were conducted with open doors. III. Resolved— That this Congress again records its hrm conviction that in view of the embarrassed condition of the finances of the country, the onlj' remedy for the present state of things is a material curtailment in the expenditure on the Army Sei-vices and other military expenditure. Home Charges and the cost of Civil Administration ; and it notices with satisfaction that expert opinion in England has now come over to the view of the Indian Parlia- mentary Committee that growth in military expenditure is a more potent cause of Indian financial embarrassment than the condition of exchange. VIII. Resolved— That in view of the great extensions of the British power on the North-West and North-East of the proper frontiers of India into regions not contemplated by Parliament when it passed Section 56 of the Government of India Act, the Congress is of opinion that over and above the sanction of Parliament neces- sary before the revenue and forces of India are employed outside the frontiers of India, the interests of India absolutely demand that the expenses of all such expeditions should be shared between England and India. Without some such additional guarantee, the forward Military policy will involve India in hopeless financial confusion. Legal IV. Resolved — That this Congress again appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State to take practical steps for the purpose of carrying out the separation of Judicial from Executive functions in the administration of justice. V. Resolved — That this Congress views with alarm the con- stant changes that are being made and threatened on the subject of trial by Jury in this Country, and, regard being had to the fact that no demand for any such change has been made by any portion of the population of British India, trtists that the Bill now before the Supreme Legislative Council on the subject will not be further proceeded with ; and this Congress, reaffirming resolutions passed by former Congresses, also trusts that trials by Jury will be extended to districts and offences to which the system at present does not apply and that their verdicts should be final. 224 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Coercion of the Press VI. Resolved — That this Congress, being' of opinion that the Government of India Notification of 25th Jane, 1891, in the Foreign Department, gagging the Press in territories under British adminis- tration in Native States, is retrograde, arbitrary and mischievous in its nature and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the people, again enters its emphatic protest against the same and ui'ges its cancellation without delay. Public Service VII. Resolved — That tliis Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have practically proved void of any good results to the people of this country, and repeats its conviction that no satisfactory solution of the question is possible, unless effect is given to the resolution of the House of Commons of June, 1893, in favour of holding the competitive examinations for the Indian Civil Services simultaneously^ in India and England. South Africa IX. Resolved — That the Congi-ess deems it necessary to record its most solemn protest against the disabilities sought to be imposed on Indian settlers in South Africa, and it earnestly hopes that the British Government ajid the Government of India will come for- ward to guard the interests of these settlers in the same spirit in which they have always interfered, whenever the interests of their British-born subjects have been at stake. Land Tenure X. Resolved — That, in the opinion of this Congress, any pro- posal to restrict the right of private alienation of lands by legisla- tion as a remedj' for the relief of agricultural indebtedness will be a most retrograde measui-e, and will, in its distant consequences, not only check improvement but reduce the agricultural pepulation to a t-ondition of still greater helplessness. The indebtedness of the agriculturist classes arises partly from their ignorance and partly fi-om tlic application of a too rigid system of fixed revenue assess- ments which takes little account of tiie fluctuating conditions of aTiculture in many parts of India ; and the true remedy must be souglit in the spread of general education and a relaxation of the ri"-idity of the present system of revenue collections in those parts of the country where the Permanent Settlement does not obtain. XIV. Resolved — That this Congresses express its firm conviction tliat in the interests of the country it is absolutely necessary that there should be greater fixity in the tcTiure on which land is held in the temijorarily settled districts than exist.s at present, and that THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS 225 Government should impose on its own action restrictions against enhancement or assessment similar to those which it has deemed necessary in the interests of tenants to impose upon the rights of private landlords in permanently settled estates. Interpellation XI. Resolved — That this Congress notes with satisfaction that the right of interpellation, vested in non-official members of the Legislative Councils, has, on the whole been exercised in a spirit of moderation, which has secured the approval of the authorities here and in England ; and the Congress, being of opinion that the practical utility of interpellations would be greatly enhanced, if the members putting them were allowed to preface their questions by a short explanation of the reasons for them, urges that the right to make such explanations ought to be granted. Medical Service XII. Resolved— (a) That this Congress notices with satisfaction that its Wews in regard to the urgency and lines of reform in regard to the condi- tion of the Civil and Military Medical Services of the country are being endorsed in influential Medical and Military circles, and' that in the interests of the public. Medical Science and the profession as also in the cause of economic administration this Congress once again affirms (1) that there should be only one Military Medi- cal Service with two branches, one for the European army and the other for Native troops, worked on identical lines ■ (2) that the Civil Medical Service of the Country should be recon- stituted a distinct and independent Medical Service, wholly detach- ed from its present Military connection, and recruited from the open profession of Medicine in India and elsewhere, with a due leaning to the utilisation of indigenous talent, other things being equal. (h) That this Congress further affirms that the status and claims of Civil Assistant Surgeons and Hospital Assistants require thorough and open enquiry with a view to the redressing of long standing anomalies and consequent grievances ; and the Congress notices with regret that in their recent scheme of the reorganisation of the Chemical Analyser's department, the oft-admitted claims of Assistant Chemical Analysers have been apparently overlooked by Government. Legal Practitioners XIII. Resolved — That this Congress, while fully sympaithi'sing'' with any genuine effort which the Government may make for the supi^ression of law-touts, views with grave alarm those provisions 19 226 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM of the Bill to amend the Legal Practitioners' Act, now pending the consideration of the Supreme Legislative Council, which propose to invest District Judges and Revenue Commissioners with tlie power of dismissing legal practitioners and, in cases coming under the Act, to throw the entire burden of proving their innocence iipon the latter ; and this Congress, being of opinion that the provisions of the Bill are calculated to prejudicially affect tlie independence of the Bar and to lower the position of legal practitioners in the eyes of the public without, in any way, helping to suppress la w^ touts or to fiu'ther the ends of justice, urges that it shoiild be dropped. Bepresentation XV. Resolved — That this Congress puts on record its emphatic protest against the retrograde policy that the Government of India have this time followed in nominating a gentleman for the Central Provinces to the Supreme Legislative Council without asking Local Bodies to make recommendations for such nomination and earnestly hopes that Government will be pleased to take early steps to give to the Central Provinces the same kind of representation that it has already granted to Bengal, Madras, Bombay and the N. W. Provinces. Exchange Compensation XVI. Resolved — That this Congress repeats its protest of the last two years against the grant of Exchange Compensation allow- ance to the undomiciled European and Eurasian employees of Government, involving now an annual expenditure of over a crore and a half of rupees. Third Class Passengers XVII. Resolved — That this Congress, while thanking the Government of India for recognising the grievances of third class Railway Pas.sengers, from whom the largest portion of railway revenue is derived, in their recent I'esolutions on the subject, desires to express its hope that Government will take effective steps to bring about an early redress of those grievances. Forest Administration XVIII. Resolved — That tliis Congress is of opinion that the action of the Forest Deiiartmont, under the rules framed by the different Provincial Governments, prejudicially aifects the inhabit- ants of the rural ])arts of the country by subjecting them to the annoyance and oppression of forest subordinates in ^-arious ways, which have led to much discontent throughout the country. The objects of forest conservancy, as announced in the resolution of 1894, are declared to be not to secure the largest revenue but to .conserve the forests to tlie interest chiefly of the agricultural classes THE ELKVENTH CONGRESS 227 and of their cattle. The existing set of rules subordinate the latter consideration to the former and an amendment of the rules with a view to correct this mischief is, iu the opinion of the Congress, urgently called for. Thanks of Congress XIX. Resolved — That this Congress tenders its thanks to the Secretary of State for India for his promise of September last to take an early opportunity to reduce the Salt Duty, and, concurring with previous Congresses, once more places on record its sense of the great hardship which the present rate of salt taxation imposes upon the poorest classes of the country — a hardship which renders it incumbent on Government to take the first opportunity to restore the duty to its level of 1888. XXIV. Resolved — That this Congress hereby tenders its most grateful thanks to Sir W. Wedderburn and the other members of the British Congress Committee for the services i-endered by them to India during the present year. Education XX. Resolved — That this Congress is emphatically of ojiinion that it is inexpedient in the present state of Education in tlie countrv that Government grants for Higher Education should in any way be withdrawn, or that fees in educational institutions, wholly or parti- ally supported by the State, should be increased, and concurring with previous Congresses, affirms in the most emphatic manner the importance of increasing public expenditure on all branches of Education and the expediency of establishing Technical Schools and Colleges. Excise Duty XXI. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the objection taken by Lancashire Tuanufacturers to the exeinption of Indian yarns below " twenties " from excise duty is not well-foiuided, and triists that the Government of India will stand firm in its policy of levying import duties for revenue purposes, as such levy does not conflict in any way with principles of free trade. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions XXII. Resolved — That this Congress concurs with its prede- cessoi's in strongly advocating : (previous (a) comes in XIX ; previous (b) (c) (d) are repeated, becoming (a) (b) (c) ; previous (e) is omitted ; previous (f) (g) (h) (i) become (d) (e) (f) (g) ; previous (j) and (k) are omitted;) finally, a new item is added: (h) The regulations of the imposition of the Water-cess by certain defined principles affording security to the rights of land- owners and of persons investing money in land. 228 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Congress Work XXTII. Resolved— That a sum of Rs. 60,000 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and the cost of the Congress publication, hidia, and also for the expenses of the Joint-General Secretary's office, and that the several circles do contribute as arranged, either now, or hereafter in Connnittee, for the j^ear 1896. Formal XXV. Resolved — That this Congress reappoints Mr. A. 0. Hume, C. B., to be its General Secretary, and appoints Mr. D. E. Wacha to be its Joint General Secretary for the ensuing year. XXVI. Resolved — That the Twelfth Congress do assemble on such day after Christmas Day, 1895, as may be later determined upon, at Calcutta. CHAPTER XII Calcutta had been chosen for the holding of the Twelfth National Congress, and it opened its four days' sitting on December 28th, 1896. The delegates numbered 790, the premier place being, of course, taken by the Presidency in which the Congress had its temporary home. The delegates were distributed as follows : Bengal . . . 605 N. W. P. an idbudh... 60 Pan jab 7 C. P., Berar, Secunderabad and Ri ijputana 31 Bombay 52 Madras . . . 28 London 1 784 The Congress was welcomed by Dr. Rash Behari Ghose, for the President of the Reception Committee, Sir Romesh Chandra Mitra, was, unfortunately, too ill to be present. Dr. Rash Behari, however, read the speech which Sir Romesh had prepared, and which opened with the expression of his belief that, despite all the difficulties surrounding their Avork, " British Justice vivified by British 230 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM magnanimity " would ensure its ultimate triumph. Difficulties of Government were always great ; how much greater were they when the " Government is a Government by foreigners, alien in man- ners and customs, sentiments and feelings to the subject race ". Hence the need for the Congress, which showed the Government liow India was feeling : ''' We offer help, but no menace, to the Government." He regretted the hostility and the suspicion of many of the ruling body, who claimed to know their thoughts better than they knew them themselves. As to the absurd statement that the Congress did not represent the masses, " it presup- poses that a foreign administrator in the service of the Government knows more about the wants of the masses than their educated countrymen ". In all ages it had been true " that those who think must govern those who toil,'^ and could it be " believed that this natural order of things does not hold good in this unfortunate country ? " The masses were not familiar with western methods, and the educated Indians alone could explain these to them. No foreigner could " touch the inner life of the people ". The times were difficult. The land was suffering from famine ; " Avhat is called the plague " had appeared in Calcutta. Famine was a recurring trouble, and there was a widespread idea that the country was being " impoverished by excessive taxa- tion and by over-assessment in the districts that are not permanently settled ". A feeling reference was made to the passing away of Mr. Mano Molian Ghose, THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 231 and a few words of deep admiration for the Queen- Empress, who had just overpassed the limits of any previous reign, closed the address. The President of the Congress, the Hon.. Mr. Muhammad Rahimatullah Sayani, was then proposed by the Hon. Pandit Bishumbarnath, seconded by the Hon. Rao Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, and elected with enthasiasm. The President referred to the origin of the Con- gress as due to the fact that there was a consensus of opinion amongst educated Indians that the political condition of the country needed vast improvement, and that there were serious grievances and disabilities to be removed : They keenly felt the desire for wholesome reform, and discussed with freedom and candour their political condition, which they considered to be degrading. Their intellectual attainments recoiled against what they con- sidered to be political subservience ; their educated notions revolted against political disabilities ; and their hearts aspired to attain a higher National ideal of citi- zenship under the beneficent rule of the British, which they highly appreciated. It was an ideal worthy to be encouraged and fostered hy all right-minded and justice-loving Englishmen, and took complete hold of them. He then analysed the declarations of the Congress leaders, noted the subjects dealt with in the discus- sions, and showed how from the Act of 1813 onwards, England had recognised the duty of fostering edu- cation in India, giving extracts to prove that free institutions were promised, and that the Congress 232 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM was therefore bound to win, " if the people of India are true to themselves ". In fact, a more honest or sturdy Nation does not exist under the sun than this English Nation ; and there ought to be no doubt whatever as to the ultimate concession of our demands, founded as such demands are on reason and justice on the one hand, as on the declared policy and the plighted word of the people of England on the other. The President then considered the views of Musal- mans in relation to the Congress, and controverted their objections, and then proceeded to consider the condition of India, its heavy taxation, contrasted the differences between the financial treatment of Indians and English, and quoted many passages from eminent Englishmen to show the poverty and over-taxation of India, the ruinous drain upon her resources, the need for change, and the sad results financially of a century of British rule. He then proceeded to deal with the famine, and condemned the payment of the land revenue in cash as having a pernicious effect on the ryot, whereas payment in kind always left him food enough for himself and his family. He pointed out that the evidence which was being given before the Hoyal Commission on Expenditure justified the position taken up, but complained that the discussion of budgets in Legislative assemblies was purely aca- demic, since the most pungent criticism had no effect. The President concluded with a few words on the deaths of some Congressmen during the year, and on the 60 years Jubilee of the Queen-Empress in the coming June. The Subjects Committee, as elected, was approved, and the Congress adjourned. THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 233 The first Resolution conveyed the congratulation and hope for long life to the Queen-Empress, moved by the Maharaja of Natore, seconded by Prince Zaigam-ud-Dowlah, supported by Sardar Shrimant Shri Yasudev Rao Harihvir, and carried by acclama- tion. Then came the second Resolution, of thanks to Sir William Wedderburn and to the British Committee, welcoming to the Congress its delegate Mr. W. S. Caine. Mr. Caine, in replying, dealt with the Expenditure Commission, and finance in India. Not inappropriately he asked the Congress Standing Committee to be more regular in its payments for the support of the work in England. Resolution III brought up the separation of Judicial and Executive functions, moved by Mr. J. P. Goodridge, C. S., seconded by Mr. N. N. Ghose, supported by three other speakers, and carried. Resolution IV introduced a new and important question — the proposal to give greater fiscal responsi- bility to the Provincial Governments, only a fixed contribution to be levied by the Supreme Government on each. It was moved by the Hon. Mr. Bal Gangadhar Tilak in a short but effective speech, in w^hich he described the arrangement between the Supreme Government and the Local Governments be- ing like that between an intemperate husband and his wife, that when the first had indulged all his extravagant habits, he asked his wife to surrender all her savings. As the Congress was taking up the subject for the first time, it should confine itself to the main principle, limiting the power of the 234 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Supreme Government to draw on Provincial re- sources to a fixed amount, levied on a definite and just basis. Rai Yatindranatli Choudhuri seconded, and dealt with liis own Province, Bengal, showing hoAV unfair a proportion of revenue was taken by the »Supreme Grovernment, and how every five years it appropriated the Provincial savings, gained by careful adminis- tration, thus making important public works of utility impossible of execution. Mr. G. Parameshvaram Pillai emphasised the hardships of the system, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya urged that the progress and happiness of the people depended far more on good Provincial administration than on the doings of the Supreme Government, and that the former Avas sacri- ficed to the latter. If the latter appropriated the funds of the former, it should also assume its res- ponsibilities. He showed how the Government of his own Province was crippled, and education, specially, suffered. The Resolution was carried. After this excursion into the new, the Congress returned to its old demand for Sinmltaneous Ex- aminations in Resolution V, and not even Mr. G. Subramania Iyer, the mover, could find new arguments for it. Professor D. G. Padhye seconded it, and two more delegates supported it, and then it achieved its annual passing. Even now, in 1915, tliis minute con- cession remains ungranted. The Hon. Mr. A. M. Bose proposed Resolution VI, which was, as he said, l>rand-new, for it protested against the new injustice just perpetrated in the THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 235 scheme for re-organising the Educational Service, as being calculated to exclude Indians from the higher grades of that Service. It would be an astounding thing, were we not so habituated to it, that Indians should be systemically kept out of the higher and better paid positions in their own cuuntry, and that this should be done as a matter of course. Mr. Bose asked indignantly if the cause of progress in India was " not only not to advance but to be put back ? Is the future to be worse than the past ? " The scheme, dealt Avith for the first time, divided the superior Educational Service into two — the higher, the Indian Educational Service to be filled by persons appointed in England, and the lower, the Provincial E. S. to be filled in India. Before 1880, in Bengal, both Indians and Europeans in the higher Service received the same pay : both began on Rs. oOO p. m. In 1880 the pay for Indians was reduced to Rs. 333, and in 1889 to Rs. 250, although the Indians had graduated in an English University. The highest pay for the Indian now was to be Rs. 700, however long he might seiwe, while the Englishman had Rs. 1,000 at the end of 10 years. These invidious distinctions caused the most brilliant Indians to refuse to enter the Service. The new scheme further barred Indians out of Principalships of certain Colleges, reserved for Englishmen. The year of Her Majesty's Jubilee should not have been selected for this retrograde policy. He appealed to the Congress to protest against this policy of exclusion, and to fight against it, and then "this attempt to fix on the broAvs of the 236 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM people of this ancient land a new stigma and a new disability shall fail, as it deserves to fail ". The Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu seconded the Resolution formally, and, supported by three other speakers, it was carried. Resolution VII, on the extension of the Jury System, was moved by Mr. Hem Chandra Rai in a very short speech, in which he quoted the opinion of Sir Cecil Beadon as long ago as 1867, that the system should be universally adopted, as it would prove of " decided benefit to the Courts," and would increase public confidence. Mr. R, P. Karandikar said a few words only in seconding, and the Resolution was carried. Another long and vainly urged reform, that of the Salt Tax, was moved as Resolution VIII by Mr. R. D. Nagarhar, seconded by M. S. Ramaswami Clupta, and carried, whereupon the Congress adjourned. The third day opened with telegrams of sympathy and adhesion, and then Mr. Gr. Parameshvaram Pillai Avas called on to move Resolution IX, protesting against the disabilities inflicted on Indians in South Africa, and calling on the Governments of Her Majesty and of India to protect them. He spoke strongly and bitterly as was natural, after describing the infamous Act passed in Natal, which compelled Indians Avho had gone thither either to renew the indenture whenever it expired, or to pay nearly half their annual earnings to the State. The Government of India had agreed "to this monstrous measure," which would convert a large class of industrious THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 237 people into hereditary bondsmen. Strange was the position of Indians : In India, we are permitted to become members of the Imperial Legislative Council. In England, even the doors of that august assembly, the House of Commons, are open to us. But in South Africa, we are not permitted to travel without a pass, we are not allowed to walk about in the night, we are consigned to locations, we are denied admission to the first and second classes on railways, we are driven out of tramcars, we are pushed off footpaths, we are kept out of hotels, we are refused the benefit of the public paths, we are spat upon, we are hissed, we are cursed, we are abused, and we are subjected to a variety of other indignities which no human being can patiently endure. He pointed out that Indians were urged to show enterprise and go out into the world, and this was the result. They had better remain here, if the Government would not protect them, " till the merciful hand of pestilence or famine relieves an overburdened Empire of its surplus population ". Mr. V. N. Apte seconded, saying that they were told that England's mission was to raise all fallen and downtrodden races. Who would believe it in the face of South Africa ? Mr. R. D. Mehta support- ed, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution X brought up the grievances of the Medical Services, moved by Dr. Nilratan Sarkar, who with Dr. Golab Chandra Bez Barna, and Dr. P. C. Nandi, recounted and urged the facts which Dr. Bahadurji had laid before the previous Congress. It was carried. Resolution XI was the Omnibus, and it was proposed by Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji, and seconded 238 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM by Dr. Nibaran Chandra Das. It attracted four other supporters and was passed. Then the grim spectre of famine stalked into the Congress with Resolution XII, and the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji undertook the sad task of moving it. Had the Grovernment accepted the policy urged upon them by the Congress, there would have been no famine. Lord Elgin, the Viceroy, had spoken of the prosperity of the Central Provinces, but what was their state, as described by ej^e-witnesses ? Consider the rise of the death-rate during the last two years, from 25 to 97 in one case, from 44 to 138 in another, from 36 to 140 in a third. The Chief Commissioner spoke of famines as " visitations of Providence," but they came through the blunders of our Rulers. The speaker proved from figures how much better olf Indian labourers were in the time of Akbar than now, and famines were Nature's reminders to Government to mend their ways. The resolution was seconded by the Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, who enquired after Lord Lytton's Famine Fund. The failure of one monsoon had reduced the country to starvation. Nine other speakers followed, giving details of relief- work, and pointing to the causes of famine in the drain, the over-taxation, the lavish expenditure, the destruction of industries, the many evils against which the Congress Avas ever protesting. Resolution XIII dealt with the normal poverty of India, so closely related to the famines ; people normally half-starved have little resistance power THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 239 when complete starvation comes. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar moved it, urging Permanent Settlement, Agricultural Banks, raising of minimum for Income- Tax, and Technical Education. Mr. N. M. Samarth pointed to the danger, showing the riots which were breaking out, from the desperation of the people. He laid stress on the insufficiency of the food-grains in the country, the growing poverty of the people, and the mistaken policy of the Government. An amend- ment was proposed, and the Congress adjourned, but it was next day withdrawn, and the Resolution carried. The fourth day opened with eleven resolutions still to dispose of, but the hardened Congressman is accustomed to rush his last fences. Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji led off with Resolution XIV, asking for Teaching Universities in particular, and improvements in the Universities in general. He pointed out that the Universities afforded no post-graduate facilities for teaching or study, and noted that the successes of Professor J. C. Bose and Dr. Roy had been won in despite of disabilities and discouragements. The Acts of Incorporation fettered their Universities, and they could not do as they would. Government said the matter was not urgent ; he prayed the Congress to make it so. Mr, Shivaram Mahadeva Pranjapi seconded the Re- solution very briefly, but made a good point : "What is this Congress ? It is a Congress of the Educated. Education is the Soul of the Congress." The Re- solution was carried. 240 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. Jogendra Chandra Ghose proposed Resolution XV, asking for the Repeal of the Inland Emigration Act. He spoke of the miseries of the coolies in the Assam Tea Gardens that he had seen, and said that he had seen men and women jump off the steamers into the Brahmaputra to escape. In 1886, the Chief Commissioner of Assam had said " that in re- mote and unhealthy tracts the planters cannot do without a Penal Act ". So an Act had been passed punishing with imprisonment a man who, after registration, refused to go, or who deserted, or refused to work. Recruiters enlisted the coolies, sometimes kidnapped them, constantly cheated them. In the gardens both men and women were beaten. The death-rate of coolies under the Act was more than twice that of non-Act coolies. There was no difficulty in getting labour at fair wages, and the wages under the Act were unfairly low^ Mr. Bepin Chandra Pal seconded, saying the Act was not needed except for out-of-the-way and unhealthy places, and none had a right to force the coolies to these. Mr. Rajani Kanta Sarkar was surprised that the British, who had abolished slavery, allowed tins disgraceful Act on the Statute Book. Its provisions were barbarous, and the coolies so dreaded them that one man, not long before, had cut his throat, as he was being marched in a gang to the railway station. The Resolution was carried. Resolution XVI asked that the Executive Councils of the Governments of Bombay and Madras might have three members instead of two. Mr. G. THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 241 Parameshvarani Pillai who moved, pointed out that a sympathetic Grovernor was often over-ruled by the two civilian Councillors. If there were three, and the third a non-civilian, the Governor and the non- civilian could vote against the civilian pair, and the Governor's casting vote would decide. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji and carried. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer moved Resolution XVII, which protested against the Government policy of short settlements of Land Revenue, and asked that at least 60 years should separate revisions. The Government had promised that Permanent Settlements should everywhere be introduced, but the promise remained unfulfilled. Mr. J. P. Goodridge seconded, speaking from his own experience as a Settlement Commissioner, and said that the present policy involved a breach of faith, and was economically indefensible. The Resolution was carried. Mr. S. P. Sinha moved the eighteenth Resolution, stating that it was desirable that no Chief should be deposed without trial before a Public Tribunal, satisfactory to the British Government and the Indian Chiefs. A Chief had no safeguard against an oppressive Resident. lEe might be deposed without trial. He had no appeal to the House of Commons. Such depositions caused disquiet and Avere impolitic. Mr. Caine seconded, and said that the only thing he could discover as the reason for the late deposition of the Maharaja Rana of Jhallawar was " a petty dispute between a proud and sensitive Prince and an 20 242 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR I'M^KKDOM exceedingly foolish Resident ". He did not know if the deposition wove jnstitied or not, for the facts were concealed. Resolution XIX asked that tlie Central Provinces might have an elected instead of a nominated member in the Supreme Legislative Council. It was carried. Resolution XX expressed the satisfaction of the Congress over the delegation of Mr. 1). K. Wacha to give evidence before the Royal Coniiiiissio]! on ex- penditure, and was moved liy tlic Hon. Pandit Bishambharnath, who called him *' our Indian Fawcett ". The Resolution was seconded by Mr. G. K. Gokhale, who said that he wanted " to pay my own humble tribute of admiration of Mr. AV^acha for the splendid Avork he has been doing all tliese recent years", lie sjidkc of their iulniir;Uion "for his unflagging energy, for the painstaking cluiracter of his work, and, above all, for the in(lomital)le coiii-igc wliicli ;ilw;iys charjicterises him " and foi- his unrivalled grasp of iiuiiiu-ial {juestions. Tlio lion. Raja Uampal Singh and Mr. Caine also bore tcsiiinony to Mr. Wacha^s great capacity. Mr. W. C. Jiannerji, in INwdJnt i,,n XXI, voiced the Congress' contiiined (•(.uliibMicc ii) iMi-. Uadabhai Naoroji, and hoped thai lie would be re-elected to the House of Coiunions ; the Resolution was seconded and eai-i'ied. Then came the litial b'esoliit ions, vof ing Ks. (»(),()()() to the JJritisli Committee, re-a|)|»niiit iiig Mr. A.O. Hume Jind Mr. I). K. AVaelui as (Jenei'al and Joint (!eneral THE TWELFTH CONGKESS 248 Secretaries, and fixing on Amraoti as the place of meeting for the Thirteenth Congress. The Congress rose after a warmly proposed and seconded vote of thanks, and the presentation of a gold watch and chain to the President by his Muhammadan admirers, and his speech in reply. Thus ended the Twelfth National Congress, 1896. RESOLUTIONS The Queen-Empress [. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its liuriible congratulations on Her G-raciovis Majesty, the Queen- Empress, having attained the sixtieth j^ear of her reign, the lono-est and the most benelicent in the annals of the Empire — a reign associated with the most important advances in human happiness and civilisation. The Congress expresses the hope that Her Majesty may long be spared to i-eign over her j^eoplc. Thanks of Congress II. Eesolved — That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderbitrn and the other members of the British Com- mittee its most grateful thanks for tlieir disinterested services in the cause of Indian Political Advancement and accords its heartv welcome to Mr. W. S. Caine as the Delegate of the British Com- mittee to this Congress. Legal III. Resolved — That this Congress notices with satisfaction the support of public opinion both in England and in India, which the question of the separation of Judicial from Executive functions in the administration of justice has received ; and this Congress once again apjjeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State, to take practical steps for speedily carrying out this much- needed reform. In this connection, the Congress desires to record its deep regret at the death of Mr. Mano Mohan Ghose, who made this question the subject of his special study. VII. Resolved — That this Congress having regard to the opinion of the Jury Commission as to the success of the system of Trial by Jury, and to the fact that with the progress of education a sufficient number of educated persons is available in all jiarts of the 24.4 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM couiitrv, and coucurring with previous Congresses, is of opinion that Trial bv Jury should be extended to districts and offences to which the system iit present does not apjily, and that the verdicts should be final. XVII 1. Resolved— That in the opinion of this Cong-ress it is desirable that in future no Indian Prince or Chief shall be deposed on the ground of nuvl -administration or misconduct until the fact of such nial-administration or misconduct shall have been established to the satisfaction of a Public Tribunal, which shall command the confidence alike of Government and of the Indian Princes and Chiefs. Provincial Finance IV. Resolved — Considering that the Local Governments are entrusted with all branches of administration, excepting Army ex- penditure, superior supervision and control here and in England, and the payment of interest on debt, this Congress is of opinion that the allotments made to the Provincial Governments on what is called the Provincial Adjustments are inadequate, and that in view of the revision of the (^uin()uennial Provincial Contract, which is to take place in 1897, the time has arrived when a further step should be taken in the matter of financial decentralisation, by leaving the responsibility of the financial administration of the different Provin- ces principally to the Local Governments, the Supreme Govern- ment receiving from each Local Government only a fixed contri- bution levied in accordance with some definite and equitable princi- ple, which should not be liable to any distui-bance diu'ing the cur- rency of the period of contract, so as to secure to Local Govern- ments that fi.scal certainty, and that advantage arising from the normal expansion of the revenues, which are so essential to all real |»n>v'ress in the developmeut of the resources and the satisfactory adiiiinibtration of the difterent Provinces. Public Service V. ResoUed — That tliis Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, again rec-ords its deep regret that the labours of the Pul)lic Service Commission have practically proved void of any gooil ri'sult to the peojile of this country, and rejjeats its conviction that no satisfactory solution of the (juestion is ])ossible unless effect is given to tlie Resolution of the House of Commons of the 2nd June, W.y.i, in favour of holding the competitive examinations for the Indian Civil Services, riz., Civil, Medical, Police, Engineering, Telegraph, Forest, and Accounts, both in India and in England. 'J'his Congress would once again respectfully urge on Her Majesty's (Jovernment that the Resolution of the House of Commons should be sjK-eilily carried out as an act of justice to the Indian ])eople and as the only adequate fiilliimciit of the pledges made to them. THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 245 VI. Resolved- -That this Congress hereby rec-ords its protest against the scheme reorg-anising the Educational Service which has just received the sanction of the Secretary of State, as being calcu- lated to exclude Natives of India, including those who have been educated in England, from the superior grade of the Education Service to which they have hitherto been admitted ; for in the words of the Resolution : — " In future Natives of India who are desirous of entering the Education Department will usually be appointed in India, and to the Provincial Service." The CongTCSs prays that the scheme may be so recast as to afford facilities for the admission of Indian graduates to the superior grade of the Educational Service. X. Resolved — (a) Tluit this Congress notices with satisfaction tliat its views in connection with the urgency and the lines of reform in regard to the condition of the Civil and Militarj' Medical Services of the country have been endorsed in influential Medical and Military circles ; and in the interests of the public, the Medical Science and the profession, as also in the cause of economic adminis- tration, this Congress once again affirms: (1) that there should be only one Military Medical Service with two branches, one for the European army and the other for native troops, worked on identical lines, and (2) that the Civil Medical Service of the country should be reconstituted as a distinct and independent Medical Service, wholly detached from its present Military connection, and recruited from the open profession of Medicine in India and elsewhere, with due regard to the utilisation of indigenous talent, other thing.=! being equal. (h) That the Congress further affirms that the status and claims of Civil Assistant Surgeons and Hospital Assistants require thorough and open enquiry with a view to the redressing of long- standing anomalies and consequent grievances. XVI. Resolved — Tliat having regard to the wisdom of the. policy of appointing to the Governorships of Madras and Bombay, statesmen from England to the exclusion of the Services in India, and in view to the ittilisation by those Governors of the power of giving when necessary a casting vote allowed them bj' law, this Congress is of opinion that it is desirable that the Exectttive Governments of those Provinces should be administered by the Governors with Councils of three members and not of two members as at present, and that one of the three Councillors must be other than a member of the Indian Civil Service ; and in view to carrying out the object without additional cost, this Congress would suggest that the officers conimanding the forces of those Presidencies be declared members of the respective Councils, as the Commanders-in-Chief of Madras and Bombay were, before the Madras and Bombay Armies Act of 1893 was passed. 246 now INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Salt Tax VIII. Resolved — Tliiit tliis CiinuTess once aoaiii places on re- cord its sense of the great liardsliip which the present rate of Salt Tax imposes upon the poorest classes of the country, a hardship which renders it incumbent upon the Government to take tlie earliest opi)ortunity to restore the duty to the level of 1868. South Africa IX. Resolved — That this Congress once again deems it neces- sary to record its most solemn protest against the disabilities imposed on Indian settlers in South Africa, and the invidious and humiliating distinctions made between them and Euro])ean settlers, and apjieals to Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India to guard the interests of Indian settlers and to relieve them of the disa))iliti('s to which they are subjected. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions XI. Resolved— That this Congress concurs with its predeces- sors in strongly advocating : — (a) Persistent i)ressure by the Government of India on all Provincial Administrations to induce them to carry out in its integrity the excise policy enunciated in paragraphs 103, 104 and 105 of the Despatch published in The Gazette of India of i\Iarch, 1890, and the introduction of a simple system of effective h)cal ojition. Legal (h) The introduction into the Code of Criminal Procedure of a provision enabling accused persons in warrant cases to demand that instead of being tried by the Magistrate, they may be committed to the Court (»f Sessions. MHifart/ ('•) A modification of the rules under the Arms Act so as to make them (■(|Uii!ly applicable to all residents in, or visitors to, India without distinction of creed, caste or colour ; to ensure the liberal concession of licences wherever wild animals liabitually destroy human life, cattle or crops; and to make all licences, granted uiuler the revised ruh-s, of life-long teniii-e, revocable only on proof of misuse, and valid tliroughout th«^ Provincial jurisdiction in wliich they are issued ; (d) The estalilislimeni of Military Colleges in India, whereat Natives of India, as defined by Statute, may be educated and traintnl for a military career, as Commissioned or non-tJominissioncd officers (according to capacity and <|iiali(icalinus) in the Indian army ; THE TWELFTH CONGRESS 247 (e) The authorising and stimulating of a widespread system of volunteering, siich as obtains in Great Britain, amongst the people of India. Compensation if) The discontinuance of the grant of Exchange Compensa- tion Allowance to the non-domiciled European and Eurasian employees of Government. India Council (g) The abolition of the Council of the Secretary of State for India. Provincial Council and High Court (Panjah) (h) The establishment of a High Court of Judicature and a Provincial Legislative Council in the Punjab. Coercion of the Press ((') The withdrawal of the Government of India Notification of 2.5th June, 1891, in the Foreign Department, gagging the Press in Territories under British administration in Native States, as being retrograde, ai'bitrary and mischievous in its nature and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the people. Poverty, Famine, and Remedies XII. Resolved — That this Congress deplores the out-break of famine in a more or less acute form throughout India and holds- that this and other famines which have occurred in recent years*. are due to the great poverty of the people, brought on by the drain' of the wealth of the country which has been going on for years'- together, and by the excessive taxation and over-assessment,, consequent on a policy of extravagance, followed by the Govern- ment both in the Civil and the Military departments, which has so far impoverished the people that at the first touch of scarcity they are rendered helpless and must perish unless fed by the State or helped by private charity. In the opinion of this Congress the true remedy against the recurrence of famine lies in the adoption of a policy, which would enforce economy, husband the resources of the State, foster the development of indigenous and local arts and industries which have practically been extinguished, and help forward the introduction of modern arts and industries. In the meantime the Congress would remind the Government of its solemn duty to save human life and mitigate human suffer- ing (the provisions of the existing Famine Code being in the opinion of the Congress inadequate as regards wages and rations 248 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and oppressive as reg-ards task work), and would appeal to the Government to redeem its pledges by restoring the Famine Insurance Fund (keeping a separate account of it) to its original footing, and to apply it more lai-gely to its original purpose, viz., the immediate relief of the famine-stricken people. That in view of the fact that private charity in England is ready to flow freely into this country at this awful juncture, and considering that large classes of sufferers can only be reached by private chai-ity, this Congress desires to enter its most emphatic protest against the manner in which the Government of India is at present blocking the way, and this Congress humbly ventures to express the hope that the disastrous mistake committed by Lord Lytton's Government in the matter will not be repeated on this occasion. XIII. Resolved — Tiiat this Congress once again would desire to call the attention of the Government to the deplorable condition of the poorer classes in India, full forty millions of whom, accord- ing to high otKcial authority, drag out a miserable existence on the verge of starvation even in normal j-ears, and the Congress would recommend the following amongst other measures for the ameliora- tion of their condition : (1) That the Permanent Settlement be extended to those parts of the countr}^ where it does not exist at the present time, and restrictions be put on over-assessments in those parts of India where it maj'^ not be advisable to extend the Permanent Settle- ment at the present time, so as to leave the rj'ots sufficient to maintain themselves. (2) That Agricultui-al Banks be established and that greater facilities be accorded for obtaining loans under the Agricultural Loans Act. (.3) That ihc niinimtnii income assessable under the Income- tax Act bo raised fi-om live luindred to one thousand. (4) That technical schools be established and local and indigenous manufactures fostered. Education XW. i{(!S()lve(l — 'I'liMt tlic time having come when greater facilities are imperatively required for Higher Education and the proper development of the Indian intellect than what are at present offered b,y examinations alone, this Congress is of opinion that the Acts of Incorporation of the Universities of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay should be amended so as to provide for the introduction of teaching functions and for a wider scope of learning, and so as to suit generally the requirements of the present day. THK TWELFTH CONGRESS 249 Migration XV. Resolved — That having' regard to the facility of inter- course between all parts of India and Assam, this Congress is of opinion that the time has now arrived when the Inland Emigration Act I of 1882, as a7nended by Act VII of 1893, should be repealed. Permanent Settlement XVII. Resolved — That this Congress enters its emphatic protest against the policy of Government, in Provinces where the Settlement of Land Re-\'enue is periodical, to reduce the duration of the Settlement to shorter periods than had been the case till now, and prays that the Settlement should be guaranteed for long periods, at least for sixty years. Representation XIX. Resolved — That this Congress puts on record its em- phatic protest against the retrograde policy of tho Government of India followed last year in nominating a gentleman for the Central Provinces to the Supreme Legislative Council without asking local bodies to make recommendations for such nomination, and earnest- ly hopes that Government will be pleased to take early steps to give to the Central Provinces the same kind of representation that it has already granted to Bengal, Madras, Bombay and the North Western Provinces. Eixpenditure Commission XX. Resolved— That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of satisfaction at the delegation by the Bombay Presidency Association of Mr. Dinshaw Eduljee Wacha, Joint General Secretary of the Congress, to give evidence before the Royal Commission 07i Expenditure, and the Congress has full confidence that Mr. Wacha will give accurate and adequate expression to its views on the C|uestions which form the subject of eiupiiry. Parliamentary Representation XXI. Resolved— That this Congress again expresses its full and unabated confidence in Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji as the represen- tative of the people of India, and hopes that he will be re-elected by his old constituency of Central Finsbury or any other Liberal constituency. Congress Work XXII. Resolved— That a sum of Rupees sixty thousand be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and cost of 250 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the Congress Publication, India, and also for the expenses of the Joint General Secretary's Office, and that the several circles do contribute as arranged, either now, or hereafter in committee, for the year 1897. Formal XXIII. Resolved — That this Congress reappoints Mr. A. O. Hume to be General Secretary, and Mr. D. B. Wacha to be Joint General Secretary for the ensuing year. XXIV. Resolved — That the Thirteenth Congress do assemble on such day after Chi-istmas Day, 1897, as may be later determined upon, at Amraoti, Berar. CHAPTER XIII The 27th, 28tli and 29th of December, 1897, saw the Thirteenth National Congress in meeting assembled at x\.mraoti, Berar. 692 delegates had answered to the call in that terrible year of distress. The number was smaller than usual, but the officials put every possible difficulty in the way of holding the Congress — partly because of the wild outburst of suspicion and hatred which followed the murders of Mr. Rand and Lieutenant Ay erst, and partly because of the quaran- tine established in the first fear of the plague. There was even doubt if the officials would allow the Con- gress to be held, but the steadfastness of the Recep- tion Committee and the care they took in their arrangements finally triumphed. The delegates were distributed as follows : Berar, C. P. and Secunderabad ... 593 Madras ... ... 38 Benoal ... ... 33 Bombay ... 17 N. W. P. and Oudh ... 10 Pan jab ... ... 1 692 252 HOW INDIA WROUGHI' FOR FREEDOM The Congress was welcomed by Mr. Khaparde, Chairman of the Reception Committee, and he opened with a brief account of the saddest year that India had known for long : famine had ravaged the land ; plague had appeared in a form unknown for centu- ries ; a ruinous frontier war had hampered finances ; floods, fires, and earthquakes had added their terrors. (Tovernment and people were united in their efforts to relieve the distress caused by so many natural catastrophes, when two " deplorable murders," commit- ted at Poona, roused the distrust of the Government, H panic over a supposed widespread conspiracy arose, State prosecutions began, and " unexpected deporta- tions " with a proposal to amend criminal procedure. Under such circumstances they met ; the only bright .spot in tlu! year was the Jubilee of her who gave the Magna Carta of 1858. He called on the Hon. i\[r. Surendraujith P)annerji to propose the President of the Congress. Mr. Bannerji, in a few words, noting the gravity of the times owing to the reactionary tendency of the (iovernment, and the need for a statesman to guide their deliberations, proposed the Hon. Mr, C. Sanka- ran Nair, " an honoured and illustrious leader of the Congress movement ". Mr. M. \'. Joshi seconded, siiying that they needed rh:it yeiir, especially, in their President unswei-\ iiiLi" devotion to the Congress, unquestionable loyalty, and unhlemisiu'd personal character. These they found in the ih-esident proposed. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviva and Mr. C. H. tSetalwad THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 253 supported, and the Resolution was carried with great enthusiasm. The President opened his speech with a few grace- ful words of reference to the Jubilee of the Queen- Empress, and then passed on to the cry of sedition suddenly raised by a section of the Anglo-Indian Press against the whole class of educated Indians. He pointed out the impossibility of a class brought up on the English classics by English professors, studying English history, reading English books, newspapers, journals, not acquiring " English conceptions of duty, of rights, of brotherhood ". They knew that class and race divisions, degradation and misery, had been cured in England by free institutions, and they believed that similar results would follow them here. To deny India representative institutions would be to ignore the principles, for which the noblest names in England's history had toiled and bled. She could not close the schools, nor prevent her papers circulating, with denunciations of tyranny in them. Mr. Chamberlain had been holding up to admiration Wallace, whose head was stuck up as that of a traitor, Bruce, guilty of a foul murder, Emmet and other Irish leaders, executed for treason by the English Govern- ment. " It is impossible to argue a man into slavery in the English language." Therefore they wished for the continuance of British rule, that India might take her place in the Confederacy of the free English- speaking Nations of the world. The President, gratefully recognising the magnifi- cent aid sent to starving India by Great Britain and 254 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM other countries, said they could not shut their eyes to the need of turning- the energy, which sought to relieve, to a removal of the causes of famine. " At the root of these famines is the great poverty of India." In Madras in a favourable season there was no grain for 5 millions out of a population of 28 millions. Was. that to continue ? Permanent Settlement and Retrench- ment were two of the necessary reforms. Much of the expenditure was due to the idea that the English were a superior race, holding India by the sword. " To us this idea is hateful, and therefore Ave insist upon equality before law and Government . . . These distinctions . . . cast a slur on our loyalty, accentuate race prejudices in a most invidious form, and relegate Indians to the position of an inferior race, and silently ensure the emasculation of our manhood." The Colonies justified their bad treatment by our degraded position in our own country On thi.s race question no concession is possible. No com- promise can be accepted so far as it lies in us. We must insist on perfect equality. Inequalitj" means race inferior- ity, national abasement. Acquisition, therefore, of all civil rights conferred on Englishmen, removal of all disabilities on Indians as such — these must be our aim. The President then referred to the distress and anger caused by the plague measures in Poona, the forcible intrusion of soldiers into the ladies quarters in Hindu and ]\fuhaiiiiiiadan honu^s, and their entry into family temples. Mr. Natu, a leading Poona Sardar, had sent formal written complaints to Government, appealing to tlieiii to interfere. The outrages went on, and tlie Pr(\'^id('nt of the I'lague Committee was THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 255 murdei'ed. The Anglo-Indian Press attacked the Vernacular Press and the educated Indians, "a gagg- ing Act was loudly demanded, the polic}' of imparting education to the Indians Avas questioned, the Press in England was worked, and the Europeans were thrown into a panic ". The result was lamentable. The brothers Natu were arrested and kept in prison with- out trial, Mr. Tilak and the Editors of two Verna- cular papers were prosecuted. Mr. Tilak was tried by a judge and a jury of 6 Europeans and 3 Indians, and was, of course, convicted by 6 votes to 3, and was treated as an ordinary criminal. Government had not answer- ed the question as to the foundation of the complaints made. But India was asking it, and posterity would ask it. To try to stop progress " may compel under- ground passages or its overflow". Shall we be content to have India as it is, or shall we go on and do all in our power to lift it to a higher level P Years of subjection, nay, we may even say servitude, have sapped the strength of the Indian Nation, dwarfed its growth, and stripped it of all that was grand and noble in it, and if India is ever to occupy a better position than she fills at the present moment and take her proper place in the scale of Nations, it must be entirely due to the zealous efforts of her educated and enlightened men. The warnings of tlie speaker as to the results of repression were unheeded, and progress was driven underground. Mr. Tilak was embittered, but not terrified, and took his place among the martyrs of liberty. The birth of the Extremist party may be dated from the plague on tr ages in Poona, the answer 2-")6 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM to the just appeals by the Natu Sardars for investiga- tion by imprisonment without trial — since a trial would have proved the truth of their complaints — and the unwise Press prosecutions. The Subjects Committee was approved and the Congress adjourned. On the second day, the regular business began with a protest against the frontier policy, and a request that, if the Imperial policy required these trans-frontier excursions, the British Exchequer should bear most of the cost. Mr. D. E. Wacha moved Resolution I, em- bodying these views, and as he said, the subject had really been threshed out. They had protested annually against the military expenditure incurred bj^ frontier wars. The Resolutioii was seconded by Mr. G. Subramania Iyer and cafiied. Resolution II was closely knit with the first, and asked the British Parliament, in view of the distress caused by famine and plague, to make a substantial contribution to the cost of the War tlien going on. ^fi'. I)aikuntlianat]i Sen, in moving it, urged that India was living from liand to mouth, and that the famine had dislocated her finances; moreover the evidence laid before the Expenditure Commission justified the liope that Britain would bear her share. Mr. Jaislii Ham seconded, and the Resolution was carried with the addition that a petition embodying the two resolutions should l)e sent to Parliament. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya moved Resolution III, wliicli, as he said, crystallised the expressions of o])inioii littered at previous Congresses, on the right THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 25/ to vote on Budgets, the reduction of Military and Civil Expenditure, and a sharing between Britain and India of all costs incurred in their common interests. India had to pay for the annexation of Burma, for foreign wars ; let there be direct Indian representation on the India Council to vote against these charges. Mr. Hirendranath Datta, in seconding, said that some good had come out of the Expenditure Commission, since its members had become convinced of the poverty of India, and this should lead to the establishment of an effective control over Indian finance. The Resolution was further supported and carried. A wise innovation Avas adopted, by the Omnibus Resolution, No. IV, being moved from the Chair, as having been thoroughly discussed at previous Congress- es ; for the same reason, Resolution V on the Public Service Commission, and Resolution VI, on gagging the Press in the Feudatory States, were put and carried. The same procedure might well have been adopted with Resolution VII on Permanent Settlement, which was, however, moved in a very long speech by Mr. John Adams, seconded by the Hon. Mr. D. S. Carvel, supported by three other speakers, and carried. Mr. J. Choudhuri moved Resolution VIII, another very old stager, the separation of Judicial and Executive functions, and Mr. C. H. Setalwad in seconding usefully pointed out that both the Hon. Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta and Mr. Dutt had for- mulated schemes which showed that no additional 21 258 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM expenditure need be entailed by carrying out the reform. The Resolution was carried, as was Resolution IX, moved from the Chair, on the cause of famine being only removable by a policy of retrenchment and reform. With this the Congress adjourned. On the third day, the President opened the proceedings by putting from the Chair Resolution X, expressing thank.; to Great Britain, the Colonies, the United States and other countries for help given to relieve the famine, and also for the services rendered in India by English and Indians. Gratitude was right and fitting, but the heart aches that the India, " the droppings of whose soil fed distant Nations " in the 18th century, should at the end of the 19th be a beggar asking, at the doors of happier Nations, for bread. Resolution XI, asking for three members instead of two in Executive Councils, and one of them a non-official, was moved by the Hon. Mr. N. Subba Rau. He pointed to the necessity for placing an Indian in each Executive Council, and commented on the fact that men like Dewan Bahadur Srinivasa Raghava Iyengar should have to go to Baroda, and Sir T. Madhava Rao successively to Travancore, Baroda, and Indore, being .shut out of high service in British India. Mr. N. C. Kelkar seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XII was moved by the Hon. Mr. Suren- dranath Bannerji, and dealt with the exercise by THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 259 Government of the special powers given by the Regulations of 1818, ^19 and '27, and urged the Government of Bombay either to try or release the Sardars Natu, whom they had kept in custody for five months. (This terrible power is exercised in India still, the old lettres de cachet of Bourbon times, and anyone suspected by Government may be, and too often is, suddenly swept out of sight, disappears, and there is no redress.) Mr. Surendranath Bannerii, as was fitting, spoke warmly : We regard the quartering of the Punitive Police at Poona as a mistake. We regai'd the imprisonment of Mr. Tilak and of the Poona Editors as a still greater mistake. For Mr. Tilak my heart is full of sympathy. My feelino-s go forth to him in his prison house. A J^ation is in tear^ Englishmen have won for themselves the Magna Carta and the Habeas Corpus. The principles which underlie those concessions are embalmed in their glorious constitution. The constitution, I have no hesita- tion in saying, is ours by birthright ; born British subjects, we are entitled to the privileges of British subjects. Who will filch away these rights from as H We are resolved, and this Congress will take the pledge, you and I will enter into a solemn League and Covenant. Let it go forth from this hall, let it impregnate the public mind of India, we are resolved, by every constitutional means that may be available to us, to assert under the Providence of God our rights as British subjects, not the least important of which is the inestimable right of personal liberty. Brave and true words, but as fruitless in 1897 as in 1915, and to remain fruitless until they ring from one end of India to the other. Now, as ever, is it true, that only They have rights who dare maintain them. 260 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Eightly did the eloquent speaker say : Brother delegates, security of life and property are the great foundations upon -svhich rests the vast, the stupendous, the colossal fabric of British rule in India. What becomes of these inestimable blessings if at any moment your property may be confiscated, and you may be arrested, kept in custody for months together, without a trial and without a word of explanation P What becomes of the boasted vaunt of the boon of personal liberty and personal security under British rule under these circumstances ? Mr, R. K. E,. Gama seconded the Resolution, and quoted a remarkable statement of Lord George Hamilton : " In India, almost without warning, an apparently peaceful population might suddenly become as dangerous as criminal lunatics, with but one object before them — to murder the class alien to them." This wicked statement, made in the House of Commons by Lord George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India, is one more proof of the profound ignorance of India which seems to be the qualification for the Secretaryship. If the shameful slander were as true as it is false, even a criminal lunatic has to be brought to trial, not kept indefinitely in prison, untried. Messrs. P. Kesava Pillai, Alfred Nandi, and V. K. Kale further supported, and the Resolution was unanimously carried. Resolution XIII, brought up by Mr. W. C, Bannerji, protested against the proposed changes in the law of sedition, as dealing an irreparable blow to liberty of speech and the freedom of the press. He moved it in an argumentative and powerful speecli, sh(j\ving the unfairness, in matters called THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 261 seditious, of trying an Indian before an English jury, who might not even know the language of the accused, or by District Magistrates, officers of the Government threatened by the sedition. He thought the proposals would be forced into law, and he said : We must g-o before the British pubL'c. We must explain to them how the agents they have sent to govern the country on their behalf and in their name are dealing with the people, that is, dealing in a manner wholly unworthy of the British name and the British love of freedom. And if we can convince them that we are right, I have no doubt that the British Nation will rise in their wrath, and free us from the trammels which Lord Elgin and his councillors are forging for us. Mr. Mudholkar seconded, in an able speech, point- ing to the danger of the loose form of words em- ployed, urging that the measure was retrograde and most mischievous. Pandit B. Narrain Dhar quoted a minute recorded by Lord Hobhouse in 1876, in which he pointed out that any attempt towards even-handed justice was met by the Anglo-Indian press with " outcries and menaces, compared to which the com- plaints of the native newspapers are gentle murmurs ". Similarly, Sir James Fitzjames Stephens, asked by certain " Native Associations " how they could tell whether they were infringing the law, said : " Go to the English newspapers ; whatever they say, you may say ; that anybody should want to be more offensive than they, is inconceivable." Mr. A. C. Mozumdar was astonished that the petty calumnies of newspapers, poisoning against Indians the mind of the Government, had been so successful 262 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM as to lead the State itself to charge them with sedition. Born of a people whose ancestors often sacrificed their own children for the supposed welfare of their Kings, we disdain to learn lessons of loyalty from those whose liberties are bathed and consecrated in royal blood. After two other speakers had addressed the Con- gress, the Resolution was carried. Mr. John Adam moved Resolution XIY, against the proposed increase of the powers of the Police, and analysed at great length the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Bill then pending. Three other speakers followed and the Resolution was carried. After a brief recess, a telegram was sent to Mr. Gladstone on his completion of his 89fch year, and then Resolution XV, thanking the GTovernment for giving a Legislative Council to the Panjab, and regretting its limitations, was put from the Chair and carried. Resolution XVI pointed out that legislation for Berar was passed by the Executive, and requested it might be passed in the Supreme Legislative Council. No. XVII asked for the extension of the scope of the Famine Commission to encpiire into the causes and prevention of periodical famines. Mr. Ramanjalu Xaidu moved it, noticing the Madi^as famines of 1854, ^65, 70, '77-'78, '91 and '97. Nothing had been done to prevent these recurrences. Fourteen times as nnich was spent on j-ailways as on irrigation, while if tiip money invested in railways were used for irri- gation, famine would disappeiii-. Professor A. S. Sathe THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 263 secoiided, urging that the root of the recurring famines must be found and destroyed. It was the result of a century's bungling. Railways helped English trade ; irrigation helped the ryot. The Resolution was carried. Resolution XVIII expressing confidence in Mr. Naoroji was moved by the Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, seconded by Mr. Motilal Ghose and carried. Resolutions XIX and XX, the usual thanks to Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committee and the yearly grant, and the re-appointment of Mr. A. 0. Hume and Mr. D. E. Wacha were moved from the Chair and carried, and Resolution XXI fixed the meeting of the next Congress in Madras. The final Resolutions, XXII thanking the Reception for the success of its singularly difficult work, and XXIII the vote of thanks to the Chair, were enthusiastically carried, and the President, with a few kindly words of recognition, declared the Thirteenth National Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Military I. Eesolved — That this Congress expresses its deep and earnest conviction that the present Frontier policy of the Government o£ India is injurious to the best interests of the British Empire in general, and this country in particular, as it involves freqnent Militarj' expeditions beyond the present limits of the British Indiana Empire and causes great loss of valuable lives and public money s it therefore entreats the British Nation to put a stop to this aggres- sive policy and to lay down, that, if such expeditions are founct necessary, they being for Imperial pur])oses, tlie major portion of their expenses should be defrayed by the British Exchequer. II. Resolved — That in view of the fact that the calamities of famine and plague have dislocated the already seriously embarrass- ed finances of this countrj^, and crippled its limited resources, and 264 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM that the Militaiy operations carried on beyond the North West Fz'ontier are for the protection of Imperial interests, this Congress prays that the British Parliament will, pending the settlement of the principle on which the Military charges are to be apportioned between Great Britain and India, be pleased to make a substantial contribution to the cost of the present War. II. A. Resolved — That this Congress authorises the President to submit a petition to Parliament, embodying the prayer contained in Resolutions I and II under his hand on its behalf. expenditure Commission III. Resolved — Tliiit this Congress rejoices that the " Royal Commission on Indian Expenditure " was pleased to decide to admit the public to its proceedings, and further desires to express its grateful acknowledgments for the opportunity afforded by the Honourable Conmaission to representative Indian witnesses, to state fully the case on behalf of India. With regard to the three divisions of the reference, the Congress desires most respectfully to submit the following prayers for the favourable consideration of the Honourable Commission : (I) As regards the machinery to control Indian Expenditure it is prayed (1) — that the non-official members of the Viceroy's Council may be made more directly representative of the Indian people, and that they may have the right to move amendments and divide the Council upon the Provisions of the Budget; (2) That a suffi- cient number of representative Indians of position and experience may be nominated to the Council of the Secretary of State on the recommendation of the elected members of the Viceroy's and Local Legislative Councils ; and (3) that each year a Select Committee of the House of Commons may be appointed to enquire into, and report upon, the financial condition of India ; (2) As regards the progress of Expenditure, it is prayed that the Militarjr and other unproductive expenditure be reduced, that larger amounts be spent in promoting the welfare and progress of the people, and that a large saving and more efficient administra- tion may be obtained, by the substitution, as far as practicable, of Indian for European ageiuy, in the higher grades of the Public Service ; and (3) As regards ap])ortionmont of charges, it is prayed that the Imperial Treasury may bear a fair proportion of all expenditure, in which the common interests of India and the rest of the Empire are involved ; and that especially the expense of the present war beyond the frontier may be largely borne by the Imperial Exche- quer. Lastl^^, that it be an instruction to the President to submit a THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 265 copy of this Resolution, under his own signature to the Chairman of the Roj-al Commission with the least practicable delay. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions IV. Resolved — That this Congress concurs with its predeces- sors in strongly advocating : (1896 : (a) (c) (g) ; (h) omitting Provincial Council, which had been granted.) And this Congress, concurring with its predecessors records its protests : (1896 (a)— (d) VI, VIII, IX, XIX.) And this Congress, also concurring with its predecessors, expresses its firm conviction : (a) (1896 X) That in the interests of the public, the Medical Science, and the Profession, as also in the cause of economic administration, (1) there should be only one Medical Military Service, with two branches, one for the European Army and one for Native Troops, worked on identical lines; (2) the Civil Medical Service of the country should be reconstituted as a distinct and independent Medical Service, wholly detached froni its present Military connection, and recruited from the open profession of medicine in India and elsewhere, with due regard to the utilisation of indigenous talent, other things being equal ; and (3) there should be a thorough, open enquiry into the status and claims of Civil Assistant Surgeons and Hospital Assistants with a view to the redressing of long-standing anomalies and consequent grievances. (h) (1896 XIV). (c) (1896 XV). (d) (1896 XVIII). (e) (1896 VII). Public Service V. Resolved — That this Congress concurring with previous Congresses, again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have practically proved void of any good result to the people of this country, and repeats its conviction that no satisfactory solution of the question is possible, unless effect is given to the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 2nd June, 1893, in favour of holding the competitive examinations for the Indian Civil Services, viz., Civil, Medical, Police, Engineer- ing, Telegraph, Forest, and Accounts, botli in India and in England. This Congress would once again respectfullj' urge on Her Majesty's Government that the Resolution of the House of Commons should be speedily carried out, as an act of Justice to the Indian people, and as the only adequate fulfilment of the pledges made to them. 266 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM XI. Resolved— That, having regard to the wisdom of the policv of appointing to the Governorships of Madras and Bombay, statesmen from England, to the exclusion of the Services in India, this Congress is of opinion that it is desirable that the Executive Government of those Provinces should be administered by the Governors with Comicila of three Members and not of two Mem- bers, as at present, and that one of the three Councillors should be other than a member of the Indian Civil Service. Coercion VI. Resolved — That this Congi-ess being of opinion that the Government of India Notification of 2.5th June, 1891 in the Foreign Department, gagging the Pi-ess in Territories under British ad- ministration in Native States, is retrograde, arbitrarj% and mischiev- ous in its nature, and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the people, again enters its emphatic protest against the same, and urges its cancellation without delay. Leitres de Cachet XII. Resolved — That this Congress respectfiiUy deprecates the exercise by the Government of the extraordinary powers vested in them by Bengal Regulation III of 1818, Madras Regulation II of 1819, and Bombay Regulation XXV of '1827 at a time of peace and quiet, and submits that such powers should be exercised only under such limitations as will ensure their being put in force with the utmost circumspection and care and under a sense of the high- est responsibility by the Government. (a) This Congress thei-efore urges that none of these Regni- lations should be put into force except after notification by the Local Government concerned that the circumstances contemplated by the preamble of the Regulations exist in its Province or in some definite area within the Province, and that it intends, if necessary, to exercise the powers vested in it ; and further that in no case should such powers extend to keeping a person arrested under them in custody for a period of longer than three months without his being brought to trial before a Court of Justice. (h) That this Congress, while feeling that the Government of Bombay must have acted under a sense of resi)onsibility in arresting the Sardars Natu under Bombay Regulation XXV of 1827, is yet of opinion, that, five months having now (>laj)sed from such arrest, it is tlic duty of the; Government, in the interests of Justice, and also to allay the disquiet and uneasiness which has been created in the minds of the peojjle at large by the arrest, to bring them— the Sardars Natu — to trial without delay, or, if the Government have no sufficient evidence against them to place before a Court of Justice, to release them. THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 267 Sedition XIII. Resolved — That this Congress views with alarm and anxiety the changes proposed in the existing law of sedition as defined in Section 124a, and of circnlating false reports as defined in Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code, and is of opinion that Section 124a of the Indian Penal Code requires amendment, not in the direction of greater stringency but in that of greater freedom, and if the law of sedition in India is to be made the same as it is in England, the administration of it ought to be safeguarded sub- stantially in the same way as it is there, viz., that the trial of accused persons must always be by juiy, at least one half of whom should be persons of the same nationalitj^ as the accused, and that their verdict should be unanimous. And this Congress strongly protests against cases of sedition being made triable by Magistrates and not by Courts of Sessions and High Courts exclusively, as heretofore, and agaiust the projiosal to invest District Magistrates with the power of calling upon persons who, in their opinion, dis- seminate disaffection, to find sui-eties of good behaviour for twelve months. This Congress is further of opinion that the changes in the law now proposed, will be altogether at variance with the pledges given by Sir James Fitz- James Stephen when passing Section 124a of the Indian Penal Code through the Council, and will deal an irreparable blow to liberty of speech and freedom of the Press, thus retarding the progress of the country and creating terror instead of confidence in the minds of the people. That a copy of this Resolution lie submitted to the Legislative Council by the President. Criminal Procedwre XIV. Resolved — That this Congress desires to record its pro- test against the Criminal Pi-ocedure Bill of 1897 now pending be- fore the Imperial Legislative Council, as being a retrogade and reactionary measure, which will add to the already large powers of the Police, invest Magistrates with a discretionary authority which they do not now possess, and curtail the powers of the High Coui'ts, all to the extreme prejudice of accused persons. Permanent Settlement VII. Resolved — That this Congress enters its emphatic protest against the policy of the Government in Provinces where the settlement of land revenue is periodical in reducing the duration of the Settlement while enhancing its amount, and expresses its firm conviction that, in the interests of the country it is absolutely necessary that the land revenue in such Pro^nnces should be permanently settled. 268 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Legal VIII. Eesolved — ^That this Coiigrciss notices witli satisfaction the support of public opinion both in England and in India which the question of the separation of Judicial and Executive functions in the adniinisti-ation of justice has received ; and this Congress once again appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State to take practical steps for carrying out the much needed reform. Famine IX. Resolved — That this Congress is glad to note that the Government of India has appointed a Famine Commission and hopes that the Commission will institute a searching enquiry into the matter. At the same time the Congress once again desires to repeat its conviction that famines are due to the great poverty of the people, brought on by the drain of the wealth of the country which has been going on for ye;irs together, and by the excessive taxation and over-assessment consequent on a policy of extravagance, followed by the Government both in the Civil and Military Depart- ments, which have so far impoverished the people that, at the first touch of scarcity, they are rendered helpless and must perish, unless fed by the State, or helped by private charity. In the opinion of this Congress the true remedy against the recurrence of famine lies in the adoption of a policy which would enforce economy, husband the resources of the State, foster the develojjment of indigenous and local arts and industries, which have practically been extin- guished, and help forward the introduction of modern arts and industries. XVII. Resolved — That this Congress prays that the scope of the Famine Commission appointed by the Government of India be extended, so as to include an enquiry into the causes of periodical famines and the remedies for the prevention of the same. X. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its heart-felt gratitude to the British public and to the peoples of the Britisli Colonies, the United States of America and other foreign countries for the generous aid afforded by them to the starving millions of this country, during the late dreadful visitation of famine, and also w^ishes to place on record its liigli appr(!<;i;ition of the services which many men, and women — Englisli and Indian — residing in this country rendered, and the pecuniary help they gave for the relief of those afflicted by that calamity. And that it be an instruction to the various Congress Commit- tees to raise a sum of a thousand pounds, to be sent to the Lord Mayor of Loudon on behalf of the Congress, in order that he might be pleased to put some memorial in some conspicuous part of London expressing the gratitude of the people of India for the help rendered them during the time of the last famine. THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 269 Legislative Council (Pan jab) XV. Resolved — That this Congress, while thanking the Government for granting the boon of a Legislative Council to the Panjab, places on recorfl its regret that they have not extetirled to the Councillors the rights of interpellation, and to the people the right of recommending Councillors for nomination, such as are enjoyed by the Councillors and people in the other Provinces. Berar Legislation XVI. Resolved — That the Proviucc of Berar, though not a part of British India, is administered by tlie Governor-General-in- Council in the same way as any portion of British India, but the important work of legislating for the Province is performed by the Executive instead of by the Legislative Council, resulting often in unsuitable and inconvenient legislation. This Congress therefore humbly prays that so long as Berar is administered by the Governor- Gcnei-al-in-Council all laws and orders having the force of law, intended for Berar, should be enacted by the Supreme Legislative Council, in the same waj^ as those for British India proper. Parliamentary Representation XVIII. Resolved — That this Congress again expi-esses its full and unabated confidence in Mr. Dadabhoi Naoroji as the represent- ative of the people of India, and hopes that he w^ill be re-elected by his old Constituency of Central Finsbury or any other Liberal Constituency. Thanks of Congress and Congress Work XIX. Resolved — That this Congress desires to convey to Sir Willam Wedderburn and the other members of the British Commit- tee its most grateful thanks for their disinterested services in the cause of Indian political advancement. And tliat a sum of Rs. 60,000 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and cost of Congress i3ublication, India, and also for the expenses of the Joint General Seci-etary's Office, and that the .several circles do contribute as arranged, either now or hereafter in Committee, for the year 1898. Formal XX. Resolved— That this Congress re-appoints Mr. A. O. Hume, C.B., to be General Seci-etary and Mr. D. E. Wacha to be Joint General Secretary for the ensuing year. XXI. Resolved — That the Fourteenth Indian National Con- gress do assemble on such daj^ after Cliristmas Day, 1898, as may later be determined upon, at Madras. CHAPTER XIV The Fourteenth Session of the National Congress was held in Madras, on December 29th, 30th and 31st, 1898. The clouds were gathering on the political horizon, coercion was showing its hideous face, ensuring the growth of secret conspiracy, and alienating from the Government, which confessed its weakness by employing it, all that was best and no- blest in the land. The famine and the plague had exercised a depressing influence in the country, and the dislike shown to the vivifying influence of English education had increased. The number of delegates fell to 614, distriljuted as follows : Madras ... 519 Berar, C. P. and Hyderabad 18 Bombay ... 27 N. W.'P ... 11 Beno-al and Assam ... ... 38 Panjab 1 614 The Congress met on December 29th, and was wel- comed by the Chairman of the Reception Committee, the Hon. Mr. N. Subbarau Pantulu, who, after a few THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 271 words referring to the loss of Mr. Gladstone, the Maharaja of Darbhanga and Sardar Daj-al Singh — two towers of strength to the Congress- — ^dwelt on the value of the Congress as an interpreter of the Indian mind to the British Government and to England. He complained of the attitude to the Indians of the officials, who saw conspiracy where there was none, who narrowed personal liberty in times of peace, brought in laws against sedition, and made distinctions between the British-born and the Indian subjects of the Queen-Empress. He pointed out that the func- tion of the Services was not to shape the policy of the State, but only to carry it out when declared, and that their inroads on Government should be checked. The Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, CLE., proposed Mr. Ananda Mohan Bose as President, Mr. R. N. Mudholkar seconded, Mr. John Adam and Mr. Jaishi Ram supported, and the election was carried by acclamation. The President opened his speech with a very beautiful tribute to Mr. Gladstone, who had passed away during the year, and then said a few words on the arrival of the new Viceroy, Lord Curzon, who had landed at Bombay on that day, expressing a hope — not destined to be realised — that when he left the counti'y, he might carry with him some of the love that followed Mr. Gladstone on leaving the world. He then turned to the unfortunate tendency which was showing itself, which would become disastrous if not checked. However slow progress towards freedom was in this country, it had at least been almost continuous. 272 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM Twenty years before, tliey had a brief reaction, in the Vernacular Press Act of Lord Lytton,. but it was quickly withdraw^n ; now they had had two years of re-action, a reversal of the wise and beneficent policy of the past. In the Educational Service, Indians had been admitted to the highest grades on exactly the same terms as Englishmen ; about twenty years ago, their pay was reduced, but the highest grades Avere still open to them. In 1896, the year of the Diamond Jubilee, they were excluded from some of these appointments for the first time, their status lowered, and their pay further reduced. In this same year, the Engineering College of Eoorkee was closed to Asiatics of pure descent, whose domicile was in one of the three Presidencies. It is quaint to notice in this that Asiatics of impure descent were not excluded ! To give privileges to illegitimacy is peculiar to the Government of India. The next great wrong was tlie imprisonment of the brothers Natu, who had been lyiug for 18 months in prison without trial. England pointed at Russia with scum for similar deeds, and everyone felt his personal liberty insecure where such measures were allowed. Again, there was the new law of sedition, and the changes in the Criminal Procedure Code, which put public sjDcakers and editors of newspapers on a level Avith rogues and vagabonds, liable to be called on to furnish security for good behaviour, and allowed a District Magistrate, the head of the police, to try cases of sedition. Many other retro- grade measures had been passed, among them the THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 273 Calcutta Municipal Bill, which proposed to take away almost all power from a Corporation which had used its powers with marked success, thus striking a severe blow at Local Self-Government. The President then criticised the Frontier policy of the Government, crippling by its cost every internal reform. What was to be the future policy of the Government — back- ward or forward ? Are we to march backwards into the methods of despotism, to the weapons of coercion, to the policy of distrust ■? or we are to march onwards in the path which was traced out by those noble Eng-lishmen who have been the founders, the consolidators, the saviours of the Empire, the path which leads to advancing and not to receding- freedom, to greater trust in the people, to rights enlarged and not to concessions withdrawn r* Alas ! the first alternative has been chosen, despite the one item of the Council Reforms, with much of their value juggled out of them by the policy of distrust. In a letter received by him while in England, the President said, from a gentleman who had taken no part in politics, the following occurred : " Are you a friend to British Rule ? try your best to induce the authorities to withdraw the suicidal policy of Govern- ment. If you are an enemy, well, my advice is keep quiet and let things take their course." Mr. K. C. Dutt had lately said that he could hardly remember any time " when the confidence of the people of India in the justice and fair play of English rulers was so shaken, as it has been within the last two years ". The President eloquently urged on the British ta give up coercion, and to 22 274 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM find the path of safety, of honour, of mutual advan- tage, and the truest and most abiding glorj, in going forwards in fearless confidence, trusting the people, extending the bounds of freedom, not forging new fetters but gradually removing those that exist, not taking away but adding to the rights of the people, helping on the cause of India's regeneration with the passionate longing and the loving ardour that come from the consciousness of a duty and a solemn responsibility from on high. The educated classes of India are the friends and not the foes of England, her natural and necessary allies in the great work that lies before her. The President further touched on various reforms, and suggested the direct representation of India in Parliament ; urged that the Congress should work continuously throughout the year, and choose special items to press each year. He concluded with a noble peroration on " God and tlie Motherland," and sat down amidst enthusiastic applause. The Subjects Committee was then approved and the Congress adjourned. On the second day, December 80th, the first three Resolutions, expressing grief for the deaths of Mr. Gladstone, the Maharaja of Darbhanga and Sardar Dayal Singh were moved from the Chair and passed by the audience standing up in solemn silence. The Hon. Mr. C. Jambnlingam Mudaliar moved Resolution IV, a protest on the law of sedition which had been passed in the Supreme Legislative Council against the stubborn opposition of the non-official members and an unprecedented agitation in the ■ country. He traced the history of laws against sedi- ,tion, and the iiitroduct ir)n of the words "hatred and THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 275 contempt," which included all criticism of Govern- ment, since criticism implied that the action criticised was against sound reason or common sense ; also Indian Native subjects, not Eurasian or Anglo-Indian, might be punished on return home for words spoken abroad. The eifect of this and of the " good behaviour " clauses was that an Empire which had been consolidated " by confidence and goodwill has been converted into a Government of suspicion and distrust. ... A permanent bitterness of feeling has taken root over the land, over its whole length and breadth." He concluded with a hope that the new Viceroy would repeal " the iniquitous legislation of his predecessor ". Mr. Tarapadu Bannerji seconded, and the Resolution was supported by Pandit K. P. Kavyabisharad and Mr. T. Venkatasubba Iyer, and carried. Resolution V welcomed Lord Curzon and expressed a hope that he would govern according to the best traditions of British rule ; it was moved by the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, who, referring to speeches delivered in England by the new Viceroy, said that these speeches inspired a hope that Lord Curzon's name might be linked with those of Bentinck, Canning and Ripon. Such was the friendly feeling which Lord Curzon changed into bitter hatred. The Resolution was seconded by Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur, supported by the Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu and the Hon. Mr. D. S. Garud, and carried. Resolution VI, on Permanent Settlement, was moved bv Mr. G. Venkataratnam, who showed how 276 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the promises of Government as regards the land had been treated as waste paper, and pointed out that the ryotwari tenure had been so changed as to have lost its valuable characteristics. Mr. M. R. Bodas seconded, and dealt with the retrograde land policy in Bombay, shown by the legislation. The Khots were being forced to give up their villages, because the assessments they were compelled to pay to the Government were far higher than the rents they received from their tenants. A Khot who received Rs. 700 for a village had to pay Rs. 2,000, and so the Khots gave up the villages and the Government attached them. By legislation the Government were confiscating private property enjoyed for long, and under sanads from Musalman Emperors. The Resolution was carried. Resolution VII dealt with the Frontier policy of the Government, and was moved in a spirited speech by Mr. G. Subramania Iyer, who condemned " this mischievous and dangerous Frontier policy .... a policy prompted by that spirit of aggression abroad and repression at home which has prevailed for some time ". All improvements at home were starved for want of the funds wasted in foolish aggression. If the wars were made for Imperial purposes then let Britain pay the cost, and leave Indian money to be spent on Indian needs. Mr. Charu Chandra Ghose seconded, quoting English opinion, civil and military, against the forward policy, and asking the Government to return to the policy of Lord Lawrence and Lord I^ipoii, and find a scneiitiflc frontier in the hearts of a THE rOURTEENTH CONGRESS 277 loyal and contented people. The Resolution was carried. Mr. W. A. Chambers, in moving Resolution VIII, against the establishment of Secret Press Committees, said that, as an Englishman, he could not understand such an institution being established in any country administered by his countrymen. He gave as an example an article published in the Bombay Pre- sidency, which had drawn down on the Editor a letter from his Magistrate ; the article and letter were sent to Sir William Wedderburn, and came into his own hands. He took them to the Editor of a large London paper, who characterised the article as innocent, and the letter as " monstrous ". He said to the Editor : " This is the sort of thing that is takiug place, not in Russia, not in Germany, but in a country for whose Government you and I are responsible." In his own paper, he had always been ready to correct any mistake he had unwittingly made, and all Indian Editors would do the same if treated with courtesy and candour. Mr. N. C. Kelkar seconded, and asked for the indignant vote of the Congress against " the hateful institution of the Press Committees, which are only a thinly veiled Press censorship, and as such a distinct dis- grace to British Rule in India ". They were part of the re-actionary policy adopted by the Government, the natural sequel of the amendments to the criminal law. The Resolution was carried. Resolution IX continued the protest against re- action, this time with regard to Local Self-Government, 278 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM by the introduction of the Calcutta Municipal Bill and the Bombay City Improvement Trust. Mr. G. S. Khaparde moved it, remarking that Lord Ripon inaugurated a policy of Locail Self-Government, but the executive officers spoiled it in carrying it out. To Calcutta they gave a " Master-Servant/' in the shape of an appointed Chairman who controlled everything, and to Bombay a " Ser- vant-Master," a Municipal Commissioner who acted as a paid Secretary but did not take his orders from his employers ; thus, he declined on one occasion to produce the records of tlie Municipality for the inspection of the Municipality ! Mr. Khaparde made a thorough and witty exposure of the devices of the officials to make Self-Government a sham. Mr. J. Choudliuri seconded, remarking that the fault of the Calcutta Corpot-ation was that they did too much and wore out their official chairman. The Lieutenant-Gover- nor complained " that they were over-zealous, they did their duties with a great amount of self-sacrifice and zeal, and that the Commissioner could not keep pace with them ". Mr. B. S, Sahasrabuddhe supported, and noted that in Poona the number of nominated members had been increased, and the candidates rejected l)y the people had been nominated by the G()\cniiiiciir. The Kc^solution was carried. Resolution IX, in favour of the separation of Exe- cutive and Judicial functions, was put from the Chair and carried. Resolutioji \, for tlie reorganisation of the Civil and ^lilitary Medical Service, so closely associated THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 279 with the name of Dr. Bahadur ji, was moved by Dr. Nih-atan Sirkar, seconded by Dr. T. M. Nair, and carried, with a rider expressing grief at the loss sustained by the Congress and the country in the untimely death of Dr. K. N. Bahadurji. Mr. Gr. Parameshvaram Pillai moved Resolution XII, protesting against the disabilities inflicted on Indians in South Africa, showing how they were becoming greater as time went on. In 1894, they were deprived of the franchise in Natal, the disabili- ties of Indians in their own country being carried over to Natal. In 1897, the law compelled them " to choose between perpetual bondage and an odious poll-tax ". Mr. (iandhi had begun his agitation — none knew then how far it would go — and three additional disabling Acts had been passed, in which Indians were not named, the Colonists being ashamed openly to take so unfair a course, but the Prime Minister of Natal, Mr. Harry Escombe, was not ashamed to say that " no Government dreamt of applying the law to Europeans. . . . The object, however, was to deal with Asiatics. Some people said they liked an honest straightforward course. When a ship was heading against a wind she had to tack, and by-and-bye she reached her goal. When a man met difficulties he fought against them, and, if he could not knock them over, he went round them, instead of breaking his head against a brick wall." The Transvaal Republic was restricting them to " locations," and these were assigned to them outside the towns, where refuse was shot, and 280 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM they had "to reside in these places amongst dung-heaps ". In some Colonies they might not Avalk on footpaths, nor travel in 1st or 2nd class raihvay carriages, nor possess native gold, nor be out after 9 p. in., nor travel without passes. The Viceroy, Lord Elgin, consented to the cruel Natal law, which 11 years before, had been declared to be " a grievous wrong," to which the Govern- ment of India Avould never consent. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, had pi'omised help, but had never given it. The Secretary of State for India, Lord George Hamilton had " characterised us as a nation of savages," so no help could be looked for from him. I think it is a standino' disg-race .... a shame and a scandal that we, Her Majesty's beloved subjects, who are competent enough to compete with her English subjects in Great Britain and enter the House of Commons, should be treated as an inferior order of beings, fit only to be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the domineering white population in the Colonies. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. R. D. Nagarhar, supported by Mr. Ramesan and carried. The Congress then adjourned. The third day, December 31st, began with the reading of a telegram of thanks from Lord Curzon to the Congress "for their cordial message of welcome ". It is pathetic to read of Lord Curzon expressing the hope that, when he left India, some one present at his arrival miglit ]>e able "to testify that during my time I have done something, if it even be but little, for tliis land which, next to my own country, is THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 281 nearest to ray heart". Who then imagined that in 1905, Mr. Gokhale, as President of the Congress, would declare that Lord Curzon's rule had been the worst India had suffered under since that of Aurungzeb ? After the reading of other telegi-ams, Resolution X was moved by Mr. D. E. Wacha, on what may be called his own subject, the Indian Currency question. He said that few realised how much each person was affected by alterations in the currency, for the subject was highly technical and difficult of apprehen- sion. The Amended Coinage Act of 1893, closing the mints to the free coinage of silver, passed in half an hour ])y the Simla Legislature, without any re- presentative of India being summoned, was the starting point of a wrong course. It was the Home (Foreign) Charges that were the disease, not the currency. Then came attempts to fix exchange value and to prop it up by the Grold Bill. Frontier policy, famine and plague exhausted the cash balances. Mr. Wacha analysed the financial conditions, and showed that unwise polic}^, not currency, was the root of Indian distress. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer seconded, pointing out that Government looked only to ex- change, Anglo-Indian merchants only to trade ; none considered the people. Taxes were levied in silver, and the ryot would have to sell 60 per cent more of his produce to gain the inflated value of the rupee. He did not regard the great flow of English capital into the country as an advantage, for it increased the " drain " ; Indian capital should be invested here, 282 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and then the gain would be real. The Resolution was carried. Resolution XIV, on the composition of the Executive Councils of Bombay and Madras, was again brought up ; Mr. V. Krishnaswami Iyer proposed, Professor Paranjpe seconded it, and it was carried. In Resolution XV the demand for the repeal of the three objectionable Regulations of 1818, '19 and '21 was once more urged — they still flourish ! — this time by Mr. P. R. Sundara Iyer. There was nothing new to be said about it by him, or by Mr. John Adam the seconder, or by Rai Nalinaksha Basu Bahadur, the supporter, and it was once more passed. Then the President put Resolutions XVI and XVII, on Simulta- neous Examinations and the Press (ragging Act respectively, and they were carried. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar proposed Resolution XA^IIl, in favour of Technical Education ; it was seconded by Mr. M. Baikunthanath Sen, supported by four other speakers and carried. The Hon. Mr. Batnasabhapati Pillai moved Resolution XIX, on the Constitution and working of the Congress, asking the Standing Committee to form Provincial Committees, and appointing a Committee to consider the draft Constitution circulated by the Reception Committee of Madras, and submit a definite scheme to the next Congress, to be the first subject of discussion. 'I'lie Hon. ^Mr. Surendranath Banner ji seconded, Mr. Ashvini Kumara Dutt and Mr. M. V. Joshi supported, and the Resolution was cari'ied. ft THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 283 Resolution XX, the Omnibus, had passengers (a) to (g) despite those put from the Chair ; it was moved by Mr. Grubb, seconded by Mr. John Adam, supported by Messrs. Habibulla Sahab, and A. C. Parthasaradhi Naidu, and carried. Resolution XXI, thanking the Government for granting a Legislative Council for the Panjab and regretting that its powers were smaller than those of other Provinces, and Resolution XXII, on Legislation for Berar, were put from the Chair. Then Mr. A^. C. Desikachariar moved Resolution XXIII, asking that plague expenditure should come out of Government and not out of local funds ; it was seconded by Mr. G. B. Phansalkar, and carried. Resolution XXIV, renewing the expression of con- fidence in Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, Avas moved, seconded and carried. The President put from the Chair Resolution XXV, the annual vote of thanks to Sir William AVedderburn and the British Committee, and the funds for the latter, and also Resolution XXVI, reappointing Messrs. A. 0. Hume and D. E. Wacha as General and -Joint General Secretaries. Resolution XXVII accepted the invitation of Lucknow for the next Session of the Congress, and Resolution XXVIII moved by Mr. Bhupendranath Basu, thanked the Reception Committee and the A^olunteers. The last Resolution, No. XXIX, conveying a vote of thanks to the President, was moved by Mr. G. Subramania Iyer and unanimously passed. The President acknowledged it, in an eloquent and touching speech, and the Fourteenth National Congi'ess was dissolved. 284 now IXDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM RESOLUTIONS The Grief of Congress WiHiain Eivart Gladstone \. Resolvod — That this Cong-ress records its profound rpijret at the irreparable loss that the British Empire and the civilised ■world at larjre have sustained l)y the death of Mr. W. E. Gladstone, the ufreatest statesman of modern times, and a warm and genuine friend of humanity, and desires to express its sense of gratitude for the sympathy which he unil'ormh' evinced towards the efforts of the Indian people in securing a more liberal and progressive Govern- ment in India; and that a copy of the foregoing resolution be for- warded to his son, Mr. Herbert Gladstone. Maharaja of Darbhaiiya II. Resolved — That this Congress deeply mourns the great loss the country has suffered by the sad and untimely death of the late Maharaja of Darbhanga, Sir Lakshmessur Singh Bahadur, G.C.I.E. The Congress places on record its high appreciation of his ready and enlightened public spirit and his liberal and catholic benefactions, and desires to give expression to its feeling of grati- tude for the generous and unfailing support which the Congress movement received at his hands ; and that a copy of tlie foregoing resolution be forwai-ded to Maharaja Ranieshwar Singh, the brother of the deceased Maharaja. Daijal Singli III. Resolved —That this Congress expresses its profound grief for the great loss which the people of the country in general and those of the I'anjab in particular have sustained by the death of the late Sardar Dayal Singii oi Lahore, and places on record its high api)reciation of the public spirit and tiie liberal suppt>rt he gave in furtiierance of the progressive movements whii'li tended to ame- liorate the condition of the Natives of India. [See also (o) of Res. XI.] Coercion Criminal P roved n re IV. Resolved— That this Congress regrets, that, in despite of its jirotest at its last sitting and the protest of many public bodies and eminent men, English and Indian, the amendments proposed in the Indian Penal Ctxle, and the Criminal Procedure Code, which are calculated to unduly enlarge the powers of the Police and of the .Magisti-aey, to fetter the freedom of the Press and to restrict liberty THE rOURTEENTH CONGRESS 285 of speech, have been carried tlirouijli tlie Tiiiperial Legislative Council, and urges their repeal. Press VIII. Resolved — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that the establishment of Secret Press Committees in certain parts of India is highly objectionable and inconsistent with the spirit of British administration. XVII. Resolved — That the Government of India Xotification of 25th June, 1891, in the Foi-eign Department, gagging the Press in territories under British adniinistration in Native States, is retrograde, arbitrary and mischievous in its nature, and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the poeple, and ought to be cancelled without delay. Lettres de Cachet XV. Resolved- -That this Congress respectfully ui'ges upon the Government the necessity of repealing Bengal Regulation III of 1818, Madras Regulation il of 1819, and Bombay Regulation XXV of 1827, inasmuch as the principle and pi-ovisions thereof are contrary to the traditions and sense of justice of the Govern- ment of Her Most Gi-acious Majesty, and indeed of all ci\ilised Governments, and inasmuch as they are a standing menace to the liberty of the subject. Lord Curzon V. Resolved — That this Congress accords a respectful welcome to Loi-d Curzon, notes with gi-atitude His Lordship's words of sympathy for the people of India, and trusts the policy of progress and confidence in the people which has characterised the best traditions of British rule in this country will be followed during his Lordship's tenure of office in India, and authorises the President to wire the foregoing resolution to His Lordship at Bombay. Permanent Settlement VI. Resolved — That this Congress regrets e.xtreuiely that the Government of India have failed not only to carry out the pledges (given by the Secretary of State in his desi)atches of 1862 and 1865) for Permanent Settlement in the Provinces in which it does not exist but also to give effect to the policy of granting the modified fi.titv of tenure and immunity from enhancement laid down in 1882 and 1884 by the Government of India, and this Congress hereby entreats the Government to grant a modified fixity of tenure and immunity from enhancement of land-tax for a sufficiently long- period of not less than sixty years, so as to secure to land-holders the full benefit of their own iTujirovements. 286 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE TREEDOM Military VII. Eesolved — That this Congress expresses its deep and earnest conviction that the Frontier policy pursu?d for some years past by the Government of India is injurious to its best interests, inasmuch as it involves this country in frequent military expedi- tions beyond its natural limits and the practical starvation of the civil administration ; and that, as long as the policy is not radically reversed, and a retui-n made to the older and the only safe policy of keeping within the statutor^^ limits of the country, all declarations, no matter however confidently made, about the cessa- tion of frontier troubles and the friendly attitude of frontier tribes, are entitled to little weight, as evidenced by the occurrences of the last few weeks in the Swat Valley which necessitated the holding in readiness of a considerable body of troops imposing fresh burdens on the Exchequer ; and that of all the expenditure wViich these military expeditions may involve, an adequate share should be borne bj' the British Exchequer. Local Self-Government TX. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its deep sense of disapproval of the reactionary policy of Government with regard to Local Self-Governmcnt recently inaugurated by the introduction of the Calcutta Municipal Bill into the Bengal Legislative Council, the creation of the Bombay City Improvement Trust without adequate popular representation, and its action in other directions. Legal X. Resolved — That this Congress notices with satisfaction the support of public opinion both in England and in India, which the question of the separation of Judicial from Executive functious in the administration of justice has received ; and this Congress once again appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State to take practical steps for speedily carrying out this much- needed reform. Public Service 1 l*^j •ii.'»-»j»\^i4.i »^'-« t*v..t».iy*w»* t> IJliA I>11.<^ rj.\^ V CAILK^V} III Kilt u yj L LllC lilC:^*H-'l*i. O^i V l\J\^ and scientific work in the country, as also in the cause of ec(momic administration, the Civil Medical Service of India should be reconstructed on the basis of such Service in other civilised countries, wholly detached from and independent of, the Military Service THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 287 (6) That whilst this Congress views with satisfaction the action of the Imperial Government in throwing open 19 Civil Sur- geoncies to be filled up by promotion from the ranks of Civil Assist- ant Surgeons, it deplores nevertheless the unsatisfactory jDOsition and prospects of members of the Subordinate Civil Medical Service (Civil Assistant Surgeons and Civil Hospital Assistants) compared with the members of similar standing in other departments of the Public Service, and prays that Government will grant an open inquiiy into the present constitution of the Subordinate Civil Medical department by a mixed commission of official and non- official members. (r) That in this connection the Congress desires to place on record its sense of loss the Congress and the country have sustained by the untimely death of the late Dr. K. N. Bahadurji, of Bombay, the last years of whose life were devoted to the promotion of the reform of the Medical Services in this country. XIV. Resolved — That, having regard to the wisdom of the policy of appointing to the Governorships of Madras and Bombay statesmen from England to the exclusion of the Services in India, this Congress is of opinion that it is desirable that the Executive Governments of those Provinces should be administered by Governors with Councils of three and not of two members, as at present, and that one of the three Councillors should be a Native of India. XVI. Resolved — That this Congress again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have practically proved void of any good result to the people of this country, and urges the desirability of holding the competitive examinations for the Indian Civil Services, viz., Civil, Medical, Police, Engineering, Telegraph, Forest and Accounts, both in India and in England, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 2nd June, 1893. This Congress further points out that in regard to the employment of Indians in the higher ranks of the Postal, Salt, and Abkari and Forest Services, the recommend- ations of the Public Service Commission have not been adequately carried out, and prays that in all ranks of the said Services more educated Indians should be employed. South Africa XII. Resolved — That this Congress deplores the invidious and humiliating distinctions made between Indian and European Sett- lers in South Africa, a prominent instance of which is afforded by the recent decision of the Transvaal High Court restricting Indians to "locations," and appeals to Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India to guard the interests of Indian settlers, and to i-elieve them of the disabilities imposed on them. 288 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Monetary XIII. Resolved — (a) That, hav^ing regai-d to the fact that the principal cause of the loss by exchange is the steady growth in the demands on India for expenditure in England, this Congress is of opinion that any artificial device for meeting that loss either by changing the currency at a heavy cost or contracting the internal currency must add to the pressure of India's monetary resources and to her trading disadvantage. (b) That the only real relief lies in carrying out practically the principle, affirmed by competent authorities, of England bearing an equitable share of that expenditure. (c) That the Congress regrets that, save Mr. Romesh Chandra Dutt and Mr. Merwanji Rastamji, competent and qualified Indian representatives have not yet been invited as witnesses to represent the Indian view of matters on the subject which now engages the attention of the Currency Committee of which Sir Henry Fowler is the President. (fZ) That the President be authorised to request Sir William Wedderburn, Cliairman of the British Congress Committee, to com- municate this Resolution to Sir Henry Fowler, Chairman of the Currency Committee in London. Education XVIII. Resolved — That this Congress places on record its deep conviction that the system of technical education now in vogue is in- adequate and unsatisfactory, and ijray^ that, having regard to the poverty of the people and the decline of indigenous industries, the (xovernment will introduce a more elaborate and efficient scheme of technical instruction, imd set apart more funds for a better and more successful working of the same. Congress Work XIX. Resolved — {efor(! the High Court, and in trials with the aid of assessors, tliat not less than half the number of the jurors or of the assessors shall be Natives of India. THE FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 309 (c) That the actiou of the Forest Department under the rules framed by the different Provincial Governments, prejudicially affects the inhabitants of the rural part of the country by subjecting them to the annoyance and oppression of Forest subordinates in various ways ; and these rules should be amended in the interests of the peoule, ((?) That the minimum income assessable under the Income- Tax Act, be raised from five hundred to one thousand rupees. (e) That no satisfactory solution of the question of the emploj'ment of Natives of India in the Indian Civil Service is possible, unless effect is given to the resohition of the House of (Joinmons of June, 1893, in favour of holding the competitive Examinations for the Indian Civil Service simultaneously in India and England. Coercion XV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the Government of India Notification of 25th June, 1891, in the Foreign Department, gagging the Press in Territories under British adminis- tration in Native States is retrograde, arbitrary and mischievous in its nature, and opposed to sound statesmanship and to the liberty of the people and ought to be cancelled. Education XVI. Resolved — That this Congress places on record its conviction that the system of Technical Education now in vogiie is inadequate and unsatisfactory, and prays that, having regard to the poverty of the people and the decline of indigenous industries, the Government will introduce a more elaborate and ethcient scheme of technical instruction, and set apart more funds for the successful working of the same. And this Congress desires to express its grateful appreciation of the patriotic and munificent gift of Mr. Tata for the promotion of the higher scientific education and research. Legislative Council (Panjab) XVII. Resolved — That this Congress while thanking the Government for granting the boon of a Legislative Council to the Panjab, places on record its regret that they have not extended to the Councillors the right of interpellation, and to the people the right of recommending Councillors for nomination, such as are enjoyed by the Councillors and the people in the other Provinces. Berar Legislation XVIII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that so long as Berar is administered by the Governor-General-in-Council, 310 now INDIA WROUGHT I?OR FREEDOM all laws and orders having the force of laws intended for Berar should be enacted by the Supi'erae Legislative Council, in the same way as those for British India proper. Plague Expenditure XTX. Resolved— That the adoption of measures against the plague being an Imperial concern and recognised as such, this Congress is of opinion that the expenditure incurred in connection therewith should be borne by the Government and not charged to the fimds of tiie local bodies. Parliamentary Representation XX. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its miabated confidence in Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji as the representative of the jieople of India, and hopes that he will l)e re-elected by his old constituency of Central Finsbury or any other Liberal Constituency. Formal XXI. Resolvefl— That this Congress re-apjjoints Mr. A. O. Hunu', C.B., to be General Secretarj', and Mr. D. E. Wacha to lie •loint G(!neral Secretary for the ensuing year. The Congi-ess accejited th(^ in\itation to Lahore for its 16th Session. CHAPTER XVI To the far north had the Congress travelled for its Sixteenth Session, and it met at Lahore on December 27th, 28th and 29th, 1900, in the first year of the twentieth century. It met in the Bradlaugh Hall, the Hall built in loving memory of a great English- man and a great servant of India. 567 delegates had answered to the call, a goodly number for the long journey into the chill of the Panjab in midwinter. But if Panjab winters are cold, Panjab hearts are warm. The delegates were grouped as follows : Bengal and Assam .. 38 N. W. P. and Oudh .. 39 Panjab... .. 421 Bombay (28) and Siudh (29) .. 57 C. P. and Secunderabad .. 3 Madras... 9 567 Rai Bahadur Kali Prasanna Roy was the Chairman of the Reception Committee, and welcomed the delegates warmly, but alluded with grief to the passing away of Sai-dar Dayal Singh the year before, and of Mr. Jaishi Ram, " the light and life of the 312 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM Congress cause in tliis Province ". He rightly claimed the Congress as " the only true interpreter between the rulers and the ruled," and it was necessary that it should reach England, and teach the British people the greatness of their responsibility in taking the Government of 300 millions of people. Hindus had no need to agitate under their own rulers, nor under the Muhammadans, who selected their most trusted counsellors from among Hindus; " But the times have ciianged, and the alien Government now ruling over us has entirely different ideas and constitutions. The English Government, though democratic at home, is imperialistic and bureaucratic here. So agitation is tlie rule. H we wish to live upon two meals a day we must conform our ways to theirs, and carry on an agitation with untiring and persistent zeal." The Hon. Mr. Surendranath Banner ji proposed as President the Hon. Mr. N. G. Chandravarkar, "one of the Judges of Her Majesty's High Court of Bombay ". The proposal was seconded by Lala Hans Raj, supported l)y Moulvi Muhurram Ali Chisti, the Hon. Mr. C. Yijiaraghavachariar, and Mr. Bansi Lai, and carried unanimously. The President, after a few words of thanks, turned to tlie consideriition of tlie condition of the country. During the ye.ir the country had been suffering a teri'ibk^ famine, justifying the repeated warnings of the Congress of tlie increasing poverty of the masses; the Viceroy had said that " the weakness and incapacity for resistance of the people took the Local Government by surprise," but it was the outcome of THE SIXTEENTH CONGEESS 313 the long poverty. The necessary changes were not made, the revenue collections remained rigid, the agrarian problem was not faced. The Panjab Land Alienation Act, just passed, tied the ryot to the soil, but did not enable him to live and flourish on it. Both agriculture and industry needed to be helped to improve, and to this should be added economy in administi-arion. The Congress should help the Clovernnient with facts, information and practical suggestions, so as to enable it to pursue a large and liberal policy. The Subjects Committee was then approved, and the Congress adjourned. On the 28th December, Mr. E. N. Mudholkar moved liesolution I on the Congress Constitution, making slight changes in the number of members in the Indian Congress Committee assigned to each Province ; the Resolution was seconded by Mr. V. R. Nambier and carried. Mr. (t. Subramania Iyer moved Resolution II, asking for an enquiry into the economic condition of India, with a view to discover and adopt remedies for the oft-recurring famines. Labourers left 1 ndia for other countries, and developed the prosperity of other lands by their industry, but they were cruelly ill-used there. Millions of people had died of famine, and millions more were left permanently deteriorated. The causes of such famines should be examined, and remedies adopted. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar seconded, and gave statistics on the poverty of the people, and showed how the 314 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM enliancement ot* the land revenue pressed on the peasantry, yet nothing- was done. At least some eifort sliould be made to grapple with the question, after obtaining information. Mr. B. G. Tilak said that some blamed the ryot for his poverty, but the ryot was much the same as he had long been. But if you took away the produce of the land and did not give it back to the land in some form more material than })restige and advice, the country must grow poorer and poorer. That was the Congress view. Moulvi Muliurram Ali Chisti supported in a vigorous speech, and Mr. Joseph Benjamin followed, reporting what he knew of the famine-stricken districts in Gujerat, and of tlie efforts to collect the revenue against the advice of the Commissioner and the Collector, who had stated that the people could not pay. Mr. Chura Mani, from Hissar, a famine-stricken district in the Panjab, gave testimony that tlie people borrowed from the money-lenders to pay the (xovernment tax. The Resolution was carried. Resolution J 11, on throwing oj)en the higher grades of the Army to Indians, and asking for Military Colleges, was moved by Sardar Man Singh, who pointed to the loyalty, the bravery, the devotion shown by Indian soldiers, fighting her Majesty's battles in 'I'irali, in Burma, "at present they are shed(b'ng their Ijlood in China, for the service of the I'iiiipire". Lord Roberts had said that the Panjabi soldiers were as good as the British. These words w^ere spoken in lOUU. We are re- peating them in 1915. In other wars since 1900 THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 315 Indians have shed their blood. They have never failed England in her need. And still they are kept out of the commissioned ranks, and still we are told : " Trust in the gratitude of England." Sardar Grurcharan Singh followed, on the same old lines — young men of martial races, offered the rank of a Jamadar. He recalled the march of the Sikhs, who marched 580 miles in 22 days under the burning sun of June to the rescue of the hard pressed British at Delhi and arrived, Sir Henry Barnard said, " in perfect order and ready for immediate service," a march to which he believed " there is no parallel on record ". The resolution was supported by Sardar Kajendra Singh, Mr. Karandikar, Mr. Krishna Baldeo Varma, and Hah/ Abdul Rahim, and carried. Mr. S. Sinha moved Resolution IV, on the separa- tion of Judicial and Executive functions, and made a very able speech, reviewing tlie wliole history of the controversy, and concluding by saying that the Govern- ment must rest on the affection of the people, and that that could " only be secured by conferring upon them the boon of justice, not the justice which we enjoy to-day, half milk and half water, adulterated justice, but real and righteous British Justice ". The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Chail Behari Lai, supported by Bakshi Ram Lubhaya, Messrs. A Choudhuri, C. Y. Chintamani, Kali Prasanna Kavva- bisharad, and carried. Resolution V condemned the practical exclusion of Indians from several of the Public Services, and was moved by the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji in a 316 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM ' long and eloquent speech. He contrasted the policy of the English Rulers with the policy of the Roman Empire of old, and the policy of the great Akbar. In the case of Akbar, the grandsons of those wlio had fought against his grandfather became the captains of his army, the Governors of his provinces, the confidential advisers of their Sovereign. It was a policy of trust and confidence, a policy which was sanctified by the immediate successors of the great Mughal. I am sorry that in the case of the English Rulers of India it is no longer a policy of trust and confidence but a policy largely leavened by mistrust and suspicion. Our fathers, as soon as their in- tellects were stimulated and their self-respect enhanced by the education which they received at the hands of Englislimen, commenced an agitation against their exclu- sion from these high oflSces. Therefore this Cjuestion comes to iis in the light of a heritage. In carrying on this agitation, we are performing an act of filial piet}', rendering obeisance to the adored memory of our sires, for wliat memories in Bengal are more loved or respected tliiiii those of Kristodas Pal and Ram Gopal Ghose, or wiiat name excites greater reverence in Bombay than tliat oi' I)adal)liai Naoroji ? The speaker gave figures of the proportion of Indians in flic liighci" a])pointments in the Services in Bengal. In the Eorest there were 24 high appoint- ments, 2 of which were held Ijy Indians; in the Opium 77, Indians 8; tlie Customs 8o, Indians 2; Preventive Branch of Customs lo7, IndiiinsO; in 100 apprentices to this, 1 iMirasian ; in tlic Survey, Indians 0; Super- intendents of Gaols, Indians ; in the Telegraphs 29 appointments, Indians I ; in flic Police 102, Indians 5 ; Calcutta Police 10, Indians 1 ; and all this in face of the Proclamation of 1858. THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 317 Mr. Gr. Subramania Iyer seconded, and said that the statements made might be repeated of Madras. The Eesohition was supported by Pandit Eambhaj Datta of Lahore, and carried. Resolution VI, moved by Lala Dwarkadas, re- gretted the suspension of the right of electing Fellows by the graduates of Calcutta University, and the non- carrying out of the provisions of the Act constituting the Panjab University. Mr. Hem Chandra Rai seconded for Calcutta, Mr. Bepin Behari Bose for Allahabad, and Mr. Rustam Cama for Bombay. The carrying of the Resolution closed the second day's work. The third day opened with a statement by the President that at the Subjects Committee it was decided to postpone the discussion of the Panjab Land Alienation Act so as to watch its working for a year, since the Hindu and Muhammadan delegates dis- agreed on it. The seventh Resolution, thanking Lord Curzon for his famine policy, his regulation as to issuing shoot- ing passes to soldiers, and his proceedings in the Rangoon and O'Gara cases, was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, who guarded himself from being supposed to approve the Viceroy's policy outside the points named in the Resolution. He warmly blamed that policy with regard to Local Self-Governraent, Education, and Land Legislation. But in checking outrages on Indians by Europeans and in famine relief, he had done well. Mr. Rustam Cama seconded, and the Resolution was carried. 25 318 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOE FREEDOM Resolution VIII on Technical Education, IX on Berar Legislation, X the Omnibus, and XI on a promised annual contribution from the British exchequer to India, were put from the Chair and carried. Resolution XII, on giving half a day at each Con- gress to the discussion of educational and industrial problems, was moved by Lala Lajpat Rai in Urdu, and the speech was unfortunately not reported. Mr. Duni Chand seconded, laying stress on the need for practical work, and the Resolution was carried. Mr. D. E. Wacha shortly moved Resolution XIII, appointing a deputation to wait on the Viceroy, to submit to him a memorial drawing his attention to the Resolutions of the Congress regarding the need of separating Judicial and Executive functions, of dealing with the problem of Indian poverty, and of enquiring into the growing impoverishment of the peasantry. Munshi Murlidhar seconded, and ]\toulvi Muhurram Ali Chisti supported with equal brevity. The Resolution was carried. Lala Har Bhagavan Das moved and Mr. Taraknath Mitra seconded. Resolution XIV, that the Panjab be constituted into a Regulation Province. It was carried. Kumar M. X. Choudhuri moved Resolution XV, asking for legislation against liquor, urging that the placing of cheap liquor within the reach of the poor caused immense evils. Drunkenness which had been a heinous crime had become a pleasant vice, inseparably linked with western civilisation, and THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 319 Keshab Chandi-a Sen had complained that the British Government had brought Shakspere and Milton to them but also brandy bottles. The Excise Commission of 1883 showed the great increase of drunkenness among the labouring class, whose simplicity, innocence and industrious habits were fading away with the increase. Lala Beni Prasad seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XVI, congratulating Mr. Caine on his election to Parliament, and Resolution XVII assigning Rs. 30,000 to the British Committee and India were put from the Chair and carried. Resolution XVIII condemned the neAv Rules restrict- ing the admission of Indians to Cooper's Hill College and Roorki, and was moved by Mr. J. Choudhuri, who pointed out that Cooper's Hill College was built with Indian money, but only two Indians a year might enter it. Indians went to England at a great cost of social sacrifice and money, and were told : " Intel- lectually you may be our equals ; still, so far as the appropriation of the fishes and loaves of your country go, you are not." The Roorki regulation also placed special restrictions on Indians. " The policy pursued by Government with regard to the Cooper's Hill and Roorki appointments is both unjust to us as a Nation, and unworthy of a Government which professes to administer the country in our inter- ests." Mr. A. C. Parthasarathi Naidu seconded, and Mr. S. M. Paranjpe supported ; he urged that, after all, Indian buildings were not so bad, before Cooper's Hill existed; they lasted for many hundreds of 320 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM years. " A\'e Indians and black men can do " these things. Our humble aspirations are for preparing our roads and building- our bridges, so that Indian bridges and Indian roads may be prepared and built by Indians. We never aspire to go to Southampton and prepare the roads for Southampton. We do not aspire to build bridges over the Tbames. If we do not wish to go to England to perform these things, naturally the question may be asked, whether Indians may not be allowed to construct their own roads and their own bridges. A modest request enough, after all. Tlie Resolu- tion was put and carried. Resolution XIX, thanking Sir William W edderburn, Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji and Mr. A. 0. Hume for their great services, was pnt from the Chair and carried amid loud cheers. Resolution XX, on South Africa, was also put from the Chair and carried. Mr. Thakur Das moved Resolution XXI, asking that qualified Indians might be placed on the Committee to consider the proposal to establish Agricultural Banks ; the Resolution was seconded by Pandit (iyaneshvara Shastri, and carried, the latter gentleman renuirking, in his two-minutes speech, that it was a *' horse-race to-day ". Certainly the work went fast. Resolution XXII, lamenting the loss of Bakshi Jaishi Ram, was put from tlie Chair and carried unanimously. Then Pandit Madan Mohan Malavij^a moved Resolution Xill, on Permanent Settlement; he said that in the midst of much to admire and to be grateful THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 821 for in Britisli Rule, the note of distress and poverty was sounding louder and louder. From living and moving among the people, they knew how they existed under the present system. He criticised the answer of the Viceroy to the Madras Mahajana Sabha, pointing out its unfairness in ignoring all the suggestions for remedying poverty made by the Congress. Bengal had escaped famine by its Perman- ent Settlement, and other Provinces should be given similar relief. Mr. V. E,. Nambier seconded the Resolution, and it was carried. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu moved Resolution XXIV, criticising the Indian Mines Bill, making a speech full of sound wisdom. Some objected to political agitation and urged them to turn rather towards industrial development. " They say : Dissolve your Congresses and Conferences ; shut up your news- papers ; and, like dumb beings work out your destiny ; devote your whole energy to the consideration of industrial questions." But, said Bhupendranath Babu, industries were doomed without political freedom : Where is the country in the world, I ask you assembled delegates and visitors, which would put counter- Tailing duties upon its own produce, in order that foreign producers may be put on terms of equalitj^ ? I ask you, where is the country that will put a duty upon an article of consumption like sugar, in order that foreign producers and merchants might be benefited ? I ask you, again, where is the country that will introduce and undertake factory legislation in order to suppress and repress factories, and make their work difficult ? Therefore those who pin their faith upon industry alone must beware. 322 Plow INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM These arguments are as cogent now as then. Politi- cal freedom is the condition of industrial success. The proposed legislation took no notice of the Indian habit of families all working together ; ignored the fact that there were no labour disputes, no complaints from either employers or employed. The legislation would ruin a flourishing industry, and the miners asked to be saved from it. Mr. J. Grhosal formally seconded the Resolution, and it was carried. The President then put from the Chair Resolu- tion XXV, re-appointing Mr. A. 0. Hume and Mr. D. E. Wacha to their offlces, constituting the Indian Congress Committee, and the Industrial and Educational Committees for 1901, and it was carried. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu invited the Congress to meet in Calcutta in 1901, and, with the President's concluding speech, the Sixteenth National Congress dissolved, and sent its members forth into the new century's work, the century which shall see their labours crowned with success. RESOLUTIONS Congress Constitution I. Resolved — TluU ]lulc i of the Constitution of the Congress Comiriittee be amended as follows : " Its affaii's shall be mnnaged by a Committee styled the Indian Congress Committee consisting of, besides the ex-officio members referred to below, 45 Members elected by the Congress, 40 of whom shall be elected upon the recommendations of the different Provin- cial Congress Committees, and, in the absence of such Committees, by the delegates of the respective Provinces in Congress assembled, in the manner hereinbelow laid down, that is to say : For Bengal including Assam ... ... 7 „ Bombay including Sindh ... ... 7 ,, Madras ... ... ... ... 7 THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 323 For N. W. P. including Oudh ... ... 7 ,, Panjab ... ... ... ... 6 „ Berar ... ... ... ... 3 „ Central Provinces ... ... ... 3 " The ex-officio membeis shall be the President of the Congress and President-elect from the day of his nomination, the Ex-Presi- dents of the Congress, the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Congress, the Chairman of the Reception Committee, the Secretary of the Reception Committee, to be nominated by the Reception Committee. " The term of office of the Members of the Committee shall be the period intervening between two ordinary meetings of the Congress." Famine Enquiry II. Resolved — That having regard to the oft-recurring famines in India, and the manifestly decreasing power of resistance on the part of its population in the face of a single failure of harve&t, leading as it frequently does to human suffering, loss of life, destruction of live-stock, disorganisation of rural operations and interference with the legitimate work of the administrative machinery, the Congress hereby earnestly prays that the Govern- ment of India may be pleased to institute at an early date a full and independent enquiry into the economic condition of the people of India with a view to the ascertainment and adoption of practic- able remedies. Military III. Resolved — That having regard to the devoted and loyal services i-endered by Indian soldiers in the service of the Empire, the Congress again urges on the Grovemment — (a) The desirability of throwing ojien to them the higher grades of the Military Service ; and (b) The establishment of Militaiy Colleges in India, at which Natives of India, as defined by Statute, may be educated and trained for a military career, as Commissioned or Non-Commission- ed Officers, according to capacity and qualifications, in the Indian Army. Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions IV. Resolved — That this Congre.ss notices with satisfaction the support of public ojiinion, both in England and in India, which the question of the separation of the Judicial from the Executive functions in the administration of justice has received ; and this Con- gress, while thanking Lord Hobhouse, Sir Richard Garth, Sir Richard 324 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Couch, Sir Charles Sergeant, Sir WiUiam Markby, Sir John Budd- Phear, Sir John Scott, Sir Roland K. Wilson, Mr. Herbert J. Reynolds and Sir William Wedderburn for presenting a petition to the Secretary of State in Council to effect the much-needed separation, earnestly hopes that the Government of India will give their earliest attention to the petition which has been forwarded to them, and will take practical steps for speedily carrying out this much -needed reform. Public Service V. Resolved — That the Congress regrets the practical exclu- sion of natives of India from the higher appointments in the Police, the Public Works, the State Railways, the Opium, the Customs, the Telegraph, the Survey and other Deiiartments, and prays that full justice be done to the claims of the people of India in regard to these appointments. XVIII. Resolved — That, in the opinion of the Congress, the new rules restricting the number of Indians eligible to qualify themselves for employment in the Engineering Branch of the Indian Public Works Department, through the Cooper's Hill College, to a maximum of two only in a year, should be withdrawn as a matter of bare justice to the people of this country, and that the said College should be made available equally for the use of all subjects of Her Majesty ; and the Congress is further of opinion that the invidious distinction made between Indians and Anglo- Indians as regards the guaranteed appointments in connection with the College at Roorki should be withdrawn and that these appointments should be made available to all Her Majesty's Indian su))jects in all parts of the coTtntry, Election of University Fello'ws VI. Resolved — That this Congress regrets the suspension of the privileges accorded to the graduates of a certain standing of the Calcutta University to return Fellows to the University, and the fact that effect is not given to the provisions of the Act con- stituting the Panjab University with regard to the election of Fellows by the Senate, and is of opinion that it is desirable, in the interests of sound education, to confer the privilege of electing Fellows upon the graduates of Indian Universities where it does not exist, and of extending it. where it does exist. Thanks of Congress VII. Resolved — That this Congress desires to record its gratitude to H. E. the Viceroy for the benevolence of his famine policy, and for his firm resolve to uphold the interests of order and justice, as evidenced in the regulations recently issued regarding the grant of shooting passes to soldiers and his proceedings in connection with the Rangoon and O'Gara cases. THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 325 XL Resolved — That this Congress, while expressing its grateful acknowledgments for the annual contribution of £ 257,000 promised to he made from the British to the Indian Exchet[uer in accordance ^Yith the recommendations of the majority of the Royal Commission on Indian Exiienditure, respectfully desires to point out that for doing adequate justice to the claims of India so far as admitted by that Commission it is necessary that she should be granted the arrears jjayable on this account for the past many years, and prays that the British Parliament will be pleased to make this grant. XIX. Resolved — That this Congress begs to record its high and grateful appreciation of the services rendered to this country and the Congress movement by Sir William Wedderburn, Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, and Mr. A. O. Hume, and to express its regret at the retire- ment of Sir William Wedderburn from Parliament, where he render- ed great and valuable services to this ccmnti-y, and hopes that he may soon return to Parliament to renew his labour of love for the peojjle of India. Education VIII. Resolved — That this Congress places on record its conviction that the system of Technical Education now in vogue is inadequate and uusatisfactoiy, and prays that, having regai'd to the poverty of the people and the decline of indigenous industries, the Government will introduce a more elaborate and efficient scheme of technical instruction, and set apart more funds for a successful working of the same. And this Congress desires to express its grateful appreciation of the patriotic and mxinificent gift of Mr. Tata for the promotion of higher scientific education and research. Berar Legislation IX. Resolved — That this Congress is of ojjinion that so long as Berar is administered by the Governor-General in Council, all lavfs and orders having the force of law, intended for Berar, should be enacted by the Supreme Legislative Council in the same way as those for British India projier. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions X. Resolved — (I) That this Congress concurs with previous Congresses in strongly advocating : [1897, (b) (d) (e) {g)~\. That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, records its protest : [1897, (a) and (b) ; 1899, (c) and (d)]. This Congress, concurring with jirevious Congresses, expresses its con\action : [1899, (a) to (c)]. 326 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Education and Industry XII. Resolved — That the Congress hereby approves of the suggestion presented by the Indian Congress Comniittee for the consideration of this Session that at least half a day at each annual Session of the Congress be devoted to the consideration and dis- cussion of the Industrial and Educational problems of the country. Further resolved that annually two Committees be appointed by the Congress, one for Educational and one for Industrial subjects, to consider and suggest means for the Education and Industrial improvement of the country and to assist therein, aud that to each Committee a Secretary be annually appointed. These Committees shall divide themselves into Provincial Committees with power to add to their numT)er. Deputation to the Yiceroy XTII. Resolved — That the following Memorial be submitted to His Excellency the Viceroy in Council by a deputation con- sisting of the following gentlemen : Hon. P.M. Mehta. Hon. W.C. Bannerji. Hon. Ananda Charlu. Hon. Surendranath Bannerji. Hon. Munshi Madho Lai. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar. Mr. R. M. Sayani. Mr. Harkishan Lai. YorR Excellency, W'r, on behalf of the delegates assembled at the 16th Session of the Indian National Congx-css at Lahore in December last, have the honour to submit most respectfully for the consideration of Your Excellency in Council the accompanying Resolutions passed by that assembly, and specially the following questions which have long been before the country, anil whicli, in the opinion of the Congress, now await a speedy solution of a ])ractical and beneficent character. 1 . The question of the extreme desirability of separating .hulicial from Executive functions has now been so well recognised, and there exists such a strong consensus of opinion on the subject, official and non-official, that your Memorialists are earnestly of hope that the Government M-ill be pleased at an early date to introduce this popular reform in the administi'ation of the country. 2. The increasing poverty of the peasantry in the greater part of the country, and their consequent inability to maintain themselves without State and i)rivate benevolence at the very THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 327 outset of scarcity or famine, is another pressing problem. Your Memorialists are fully aware of the fact that the serious attention of the Government has been engaged on it, and they trust that some efhcacious remedy will lie soon found which may greatly contribute to mitigate that severe poverty, and enable the jjeasantry to better resist the strain which years of bad harvests or scarcity may entail on them. 3. That in view of the condition to which the recent famines have reduced the ryots, the Government will be so good as to cause an exhaustive enquiry to be instituted into their growing impoverishment by means of an independent Commission. Panjab XIV. Resolved — That the Congress respectfully urges upon the Government that in its opinion the time has come when the Panjab should be constituted into a Regulation Province. Liquor Legislation XV. Resolved — That this Congress views with grave alarm and deep regret the rapid increase in the consumption of intoxicants, specially liquor, in the country, and the Congress is of opinion that the cheap supply of liquor, etc., is alone responsible for this. The Congress, therefore, fervently appeals to the Government of India to pass measures like the Maine Liquor Law of America, and introduce Bills like Sir Wilfrid Lawson's Permissive Bill or the Local Option Act, and impose an additional tax upon intoxicants not intended to be used as medicine. The Congress records its firm conviction that if the Government do not take these practical steps immediately, the moral, material and physical deterioration of those classes, among whom liquor, etc., have obtained a tirm hold, woidd be inevitable ; and as intoxicants have already affected the great labouring class, the benevoleat intention of the Govern- ment to help the growth of the Indian Arts and Industries would bear no fruit. The Congress gives great importance to this ques- tion, which, it strongly believes, is intimately connected with the material progress of the country, and emphatically protests against the cheap sujjply of liquor, etc. Congratulations of Congress XVI. Resolved — That this Congress offers its sincere and hearty congratulations to Mr. W. S. Caine on his election to Parliament, and expresses its confidence in him as a trusted friend of the people of India and a pi-omoter of their best interests. Congress Work XVII. Resolved— That a sum of Rs. 30,000 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and the cost of the publication of India. 328 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM South Africa XX. Resolved— That this Congress once more draws the attention of the Indian Govei-nment as well as of the Secretarj' of State for India to the grievances of the British Indians in South Africa, and earnestly hopes that in view of the re-ai'rangement of the boundaries in that Continent and the incorporation of the late Boer Republics into the British Dominions, the disabilities under which the Indian settlers labom'ed in those Republics, and as to which Her Majesty's Government owing to their independence in internal matters felt powerless to obtain redress, will now no longer exist, and that the serious inconvenience caused to the settlers in Natal, among others by the Immigration Restrictions and the Dealer's Licences Acts of that Colony, which are manifestly inconsistent with the fundamental principles of the British Constitution as also the Proclamation of 1858, will be materially mitigated, if not entirely removed. Indians on Committee XXI. Resolved — That tlie CUmgrcss bogs to suggest to the Government of India that qualified Indian members, representing the different Provinces, may bo nominated to the Committee, recently formed, in coniioction with the proposal of starting Agricultural Banks in India. Sorrows of Congress XXIT. Rosolved^That this Congress desires to put on record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the death of Bakshi Jaishi Ram, who was one of the staunch supporters of the Congress for many a year and rendered valuable services to it in connection with his own I'rovinoe. Permanent Settlement XXIII. Resolved — Thiit while thanking tlie Government of India for its intention to invt^stigate the t|uostion of the incidt^K e and pressure of the land assessment as affecting the well-being and resources of the agricultural population, the Congress respectfully urges upon the Government tlie dosii-ability of including within the scope of the contemplated investigation the question of periodical settlement of assessments and the necessity repeatedly pointed out by the Congress of making it permanent. This Congress further prays that the Government of India may be pleased to publish the opinions invited from Local Governments and Administrations, on the subject referred to in para 4 of the Resolution of the Government of India (Revenue and Agricultural Uoi)artment) published in The (Uizette of India dated 22nd December, THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 329 1900, and allow the public an opportunity to make their repi-e- sentations thereon before the Government decides whether further investigation is necessary or not in the terms of the said Resolution. Indian Mines XXIV. Resolved — That the Congress respectfully submits tliat the provisions of the Indian Mines Bill, so far as they impose restrictions on the employment of labour, be omitted, and that the penal provisions thereof may not be put in force for a period of 5 years, and that, in the meantime, mining schools be opened in suitable centres where young men may qualify themselves for employment under the Act. Formal XXV. Resolved— (a) That this Congress appoints Mr. A. 0. Hume, C.B., the Genei-al Secretary, and Mr. D. E. Wacha, the Joint General Secretary, for the ensuing year. (h) That the following gentlemen do constitute the Indian Congress Committee for 1901 : EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS 1. The Hon W. C. Bannerji (1885). 2. The Hon. Dadabhai Naoroji (188H). The Hon. Budrudin Tyabji (1887). (Now Judge, Bombay High Court). (Dead) (1888). 3. Sir William Wedderburn (1889). 4. The Hon. Pherozeshah Mehta (1890). _ 5. The Hon. Ananda Charlu (1891). The Hon. W. C. Bannerji (1892). (Second time). The Hon. Dadabliai Naoroji (1893). (Second time). G. Alfred Webb Esq. (1894). 7. The Hon. Surendranath Bannerji (1895), 8. The Hon. R. M. Sayani (1896). 9. The Hon. C. Sankaran Nair (1897). 10. The Hon. A. M. Bose (1898). 11. R. C. Dutt, Esq. (1899). The Hon. N. G. Chandravarkar (1900). (Now Judge, Bombay High Court). 12. D. E. Wacha, Esq., General Secretary, i:?. Alfred Nundy Esq., Assistant Secretary. 14. Chairman ofthe Reception Committee, Calcutta. 15. Secretary of the Reception Committee, Calcutta. 16. President-elect of the Congress for 1901. 26 330 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM General List : Mr. J. Ghosal. Pandit Bishambariiatli. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar. H on . Vi j iarag'havach a ri . Mr. W. A. Chambers. Bkngal : Hon. Baiknntlianath Sen. Mr. Saligi'am Singh. Mr. Ambikacharan Mozunidar. Mr. Motilal Ghose. Rai Yatindranath Choudhuri. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu. Mr. Prithwis Chandra Roy. N. W. P. & OriJH : Hon. Munshi Madho Lai. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Mr. Bisliau Narayan Dhar. MiinHlii Ganga Prasad Vai'ma. Mr. S. Sinha. Pandit Prithwinath. Hafiz .\bdnl Ruhiiii. ^L\IJRAS : Mr. P. llnngiya Naidu. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer. Hon. Nawab Syod Muhammad Bahadur. Mr. P. Ramchandi-a Pillai. Mr. V. Ryru Naiul>ipr-. Mr. P. Kosava Pillai. Mr. G. Srinavasa Rao. (r) That the following - Committee, with Mr. Tlarkishan Bent. At. : Hon. Baiknntlianath Sen. Kumar Manmathanatli Hai Cluiiiflhiiri. Mr. Pidin i5ili:iri Saikar. Mr. Radharaniaii Kar. Mr. .1. Clioudhiiri. Mr. Hhiipendranath Basu. BOMB.AY: Mr. Rustam K. R. Cama. Mr. Daji Abaji Khare. Mr. C. H. Setahvad. Hon. Professor (i. K. Gokliale. Mr. Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Mr. R. P. Karandikar. Mr. Tahil Ram Khem Chand. Berar : Mr. M. V. J(.shi. Mr. Deorao Yinayak. Mr. G. S. Khaparde. Central Provinces: Mr. Huparoodwada. Mr. Krishna Rao Vainnn. ■ Mr. Raoji Gobind. Pan JAB : Rai Bahadur Bab a Kali Prasanna Rai, Pleader, Chief Court Lala Harkishan Lai. Barrister- at-Law. Rai Sahab Sukh Dyal, Pleader, Chief Court. Lala Lajpat Rai, Pleader, Chief Court. Lala Dharam Das Suri, Pleader, Chief Court, fjala Kanhaya Lai, Pleader, (.■hief Court. gentlemen do foi'm the InduHtri;il Lai as Secretary, for 1901. .Mr. .\khoy Kumar Maitra. Mr. Gaganendranath Tagore. Mr. Mohini Molian Chakravarti. Mr. Akhoy-Kuniar Majunular. Mr. Kali Prasanna Kavyabisarad. Mr. Lai it Chandra Sen. Mr. Pramada Gobinda Clioud- hnri. Mr. Tarapada Hanncrji. THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 331 \.XJAI? : Mr. Harkishan Lai, Mr. Lajpat Eai. Mr. Balak Ram. Mr. Dwarka Das. Mr. Kashi Ram. Mr. Duui Chand. Mr. Lai Chaud. Mr. Prabhu Dyal. Bombay : Professor Gajar. Mr. .J. N. Tata. Mr. D. E. Wacha. Mr. Bepin Bihari Bose. Pandit Madan Mohan Mala\-iya. Central Pr<)vince.s : Mr. Raoji Gobind. Mauras : Mr. C. Sankaran Nair Mr. G. Siibramaiiia Iyer. Mr. P. Kesava Pillai. Mr. K. P. Achyiita Menon. Mr. T. Rangacbari. Hon. P. Ratnasabhapati Pillai. Hon. V. Venkataratnam. X. W. P. & Oui>H : Mr. Bansi Lai Siutfh. I^Ir. Ganga Prasad Vanna. Mr. S. Siuha. Mr. K. P. Basak. BerAR : Mr. D. V. Bhagawat. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar. Mr. Deorao Vinayak. Mr. Ganesh Xao-esh. (d) That the following gentlemen do form the Educational Committee, with Mr. Harkishan Lai as Secretary, for 190L Bengal ; Hon. A. M. Bose. Hon. Sureudrauath Bannerji. Dr. Nilratan Sircar. Mr. Heramba Chandra Maitra. Mr. Aswini Kumar Dutt. Mr. Pear}- Lai Ghosh. Mr. Raghunath Das. Mr. Prithwis Chandra Roy. Mr. Krishna Kumar Mitra. Mr. Syamaoharan Roy. Paxjab : Ml-. Harkishan Lai Mr. Lajpat Eai. Mr. Balak Ram. Mr. Ishwar Das. Mr. Lai Chand. Mr. Shadi;Lal. Bombay : Hon. Professor G. K. Gokhale. Mr. Chimanlal H. Setalwad. Mr Rustam K. R. Cama. Mr. B. G. Tilak. N. W. P. & OiDH : Mr. A. Nundy. Mr. Madan Mohan Malaviya. Mr. Bishan Narayan Dhar. Mr. G. L. Maitra'. Mr. Ganga Prasad Varma. Mr. Ramananda Cliatterji. Mr. Bepin Bihari Bose. Mr. K. P. Basak. Pandit Hari Ram Pande. Pandit Tej Bahadur Sapru. Central Provinces : Mr. S. B. Gokhale. 332 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Madras : Hon. Rai Bahadur P. Auauda Charlu, CLE Hon. C. Yijiaraghavachari. Hon. Rai Baliadur C. Janibn- lingain Mudaliar. Mr. Y. Ryru Nambier. Mr. C. Karunakara Menon. Mr. Mr. V. C. Desikachariar. S. Kasturiranga Ij'engar. Berar : Mr. M. V. Joshi. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar. Mr. G. S. Khaparde. Mr. D. V. Bhagawat. CHAPTER XVII Calcutta, welcomed the Seventeenth National Congress in a great Pavilion erected in Beadon Sqaare, lent for the occasion by the Calcutta Corpora- tion, The whole square offered a brilliant scene, the Industrial Exhibition having its own separate Pavilion, and both being gay with flags. The Congress Pavilion was beautifully decorated Avith coloured foliage plants and palms, and was lighted by electricity. 896 delegates were present, distributed as follows : Beni>'al 580 N. W. P. and Oudh 89 Punjab 30 C. P., Berar and Secunderabad ... 44 Bombay (43) and Sindh (8) 51 Madras 102 896 A.fter the President-elect's procession had made its slow way through the crowd, a song, "Hindustan,^' composed by Sarola Devi Grhosal was sung by a choir of 58 men and boys, the nearly 400 volunteers joining tlie chorus with fine effect. 381. HOW 1N1)[A WROTTOTTT FOR VIMOKDOAT Maliavajfi Jialiadiir Jai^'adiiHli-aiiaili Uai Biiliadiir of Natore, Mm Cliiiiniiaii of tlm K'cccpt ion Coiii- inittee, wcIcoiikmI I lie dcU^f^'Jilcs in :i o-i-ncclul sptH'cli, sayin;4' tlint lie liiid mdy \ ciil iircd loncci'])! tlic lidiioiir olTci'cd ((I liiin "l)i'c:insc il li;is Im>(mi t lit^ one g'l'cal ;inilnli(Mi o|' \]\\ lil'c In piin llic ^;lld^sol those wild lliiiik', lliD^c wild riM'l,;iiid I lidsc wlid work for tlicii' (•diiiilr\ ". lie spoke willi deep Icclilij^" ol llic I'assitii;- dl' I lie (ircal (^)ii(m'Ii, wliose words were tli(! Manila Cai'taof India : " Tliat ni('ssa<^'(i so lull of syinpailiN' for an alien siiiijeel race, so iioMe and li])eral in its spiril, Sd iiia|^aii(ieent I v just in ils pdliey, would alone lia\i' wmi I lie etei-nal L;-iatiliide and nnllineliin^ loyalty ol Imm- Indian siilijeels." The Xalional ('onj^rcjss, the em Ixxl inieiil of India's hopes and aspirations, Ixnai in her reij^'ii, would lor e\(>r link' I he name or\'ietoria with t he desi i ii\' of India. Her Majesty's siicctissor had " won the hearts of his Indian subjects l>y his cliafiniiif^' personality "; mi^'lit Ills reign be a cont iniiat ion of his i^'i-ea(. mot li(>r's. 'I'lie Speaker Ihrn alluded to the pla^aie ha \in;^' eoiiie I o Calcutta, 1)111 the authorities asked them to take it philo.sopliically, instead ol' harrying- them with the lads ol sei(!iu'e, isolation, s((<^i-ega,t ion und inocula- tion, and the advic(! " I'aJls in with (mr hnuMMir". The officials vv((r(! uncharitable to them, and that kept away titie-huntors, Inii most of the nnMi of rank iuid* wealth siipjjorled them. Alh-r announcing that they had opened mi liidiislria,l l']\ liiliit ion in coT)nH(;tion with the Congress, the lirst, lail, he IiojkhJ, ;i periiiaii(!iit realnre in IHtiire, lif ("i Hcd on THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 335 Mr. \V. C J*>aiiuerji to propose the President. He proposed Mr. J). E. VVacha, " the life and soul of this movement," and called on the Congress to elect him with acclamation. Rai Bahadur P. Ananda (Jharlu seconded, Mr. R. N. Mudholkar supported the liosohition, and it was carried with loud applause. Mr. Dinshaw Etlulji Wacha began his address with a touching and heartfelt tribute to Mr. Justice Kanade, who had suddenly passed away on Januai-y 17tli, 19()l, leaving lK>liiti(l liiin :i ii(»1)]e and s|)otless iiuuuory. He then spoke gratefully of tlie late Queen-I<]iiipress, sadly of tilt! assassination of I'l-esident McKinley, and grieved over the death of Sir Sheshadri, the great Dewan of Mysore, who proved "that states- nianshii) is not a monopoly which is confined to one race and oiu^ country alone ". The President, after an allusion to the new King-Emperor, who on his visit to ln(li;i. had won the hearts of Princes and people, turiHHl to the subject of the famine, reviewing its effect, the aid given, the policy of the Bombay Government, the way in which funds were spent, and ought to be spent, in relief. He pointed out that the peasants who were relieved in famine time were the very same people who paid 47} crores a year in taxation, and it was not uuich to give them back some of it in the time of the periodical famines. Tie dealt with the causes of famine, and quoted auth(u-ities, including Lord Salisl»ury, in favoui- of lightening the drain on the cultivator. There ought to be full eiujuiry into the causes of the present 384 HOW INDIA WKOUOKT VOK fukkhom ^[;^llaraja Bahadur fFayadiudvanath Kai Ualuuliir of Xatovo, the Cliairmau of the Recoptioii Com- mittee, \\v\vou\od tho delegates in a o-rnt'etul speech, (paying- that \\e had only venfunnl to ao('ei)t the hoiunir otVertnl to him " hecause it has tteeu the one gve:\{ anthition i)^ my life to join tht> ranks of those wlio think, thosi> who fei>l, ami thost^ who work for tluMr eoiintry ". lie s[ioke with dei>]) fet^lino" of the Passing" of tlu> (iriMt Qiuhmi. whoso words weri> the Magna Tarta o^ India : "That message so full of sympathy for an alien subjei'l rai-e, so noble and liberal in its spirit, so magnitieent Iv just in its policy, wouhl alom> ha\t' wim tlu> tMernal gratitude and untlinehing loyalty ^A' \\or Indian snbji>ets." 'riu> National C'ongress, ihe tMubodinuMit (d' I ndia's liopi>s and aspirations, Ixnai in her rtugn. wiudd for t>vi>r liid< tht> nanu^ id" N'ii-toria with the destiny of India. Her iMajesty's sueeessor had "won the lu\irts of his Indian subjet'ts by his cdiarniing personaliiy " ; might his i-tMgn ]^e a I'ontinuat ion of his gnvit mot her's. The Speaker then alliuleil to the plague ha\ing eonu> to Caleutta, ])ut the authorities asked them tolaktM't })hilosophieally, insttnul of Jiari-yiug them with the lads o\' sri(MUH\ isolation, st>gn>gation and inocula- tion, and thi> athice " fa.lls in with oin- hmuour ". The officials wert> uncharitable to tlicm, and that kepi away I il ic-hunl crs. but nio'^l o}i I lu> uumi o{' rank amU wcallh Mipportetl iIumu. After announcing that they had opeiUMi an Industrial I'lxliibit ion in coniu'cliou with the Congrt^ss, t lu> lirst, but, lu> hopeil, a pcruKiutMil fcaiiire in future, he calli>d on THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 335 Mr. \\^ C Haimevji to propose tlie ['resident. lie pn (posed Mr. D. V]. Wiieha, " Mie life and soul of this nidveiiu'iit ," :uid called on the Congress to elect liiiii witli aeelaniation. Hai Bahadur 1^. Ananda Cliailii seconded, Mr. 11. N. Mudholkar supported the Kt>sohilion, and it was carried with loud applause. Ml-, hiiishaw I'ldulji W'acha began his adtjress wit h ;i loiicliiiig and heart I'elt I I'ibute to M r. Just ice |[a.nade, who luul suddenly passcnl away on -January I7th, 1901, leaving" behind him a iu)ble and s})otless nieuiory. Ill' tlu>n spoke gi-atefully of the lale QiUHMi-I'lnipress, sadly of the assassiuai ion of l'i-t>sident McKinley, and gi'icNcd over the death of Sir Sheshadri, the great Dcwaii of Mysore, who provi-d "that states- manship is not a monopoly which is conlined to one race and one conntry alone ". The President, aftei- an allusion to the new I\ing-l"]niperor, who on his visit to Imlia Iiad won the hearts ol' Princes and pet)ple, turned to (he subject of the famine, reviewing its elTect, the aid givim, thi' policy of the Hombay (io\erninenl , the way in wliit'h funds were spent, and ought to bt> sptMit, in i-elief. He ]K)inted out that the peasants who were relieved in famine tinu' wer(> the vei-y same pt^ople who paid l^l crores a year in laxalion, and it was not nuu-h to give them back some ol' ii in I he time of the periodical faininivs. lie dealt with the causes of famine, and quoted authiu-it ies, including Lord Salisbury, in favoui- of lightening th(> drain on the cultivator. Thei'e ought to be full iMKpnry into the causes of the present 336 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM agrarian condition, for recent legislation was dis- astrous. Irrigation Works were essential, and they should be preferred to railways, which were not an " unmixed l)lessing ". Irrigation increased agricul- tural wealth, while railways only distributed it. Agri- cultural Banks were at last recognised as useful, and here he advocated the system adopted in Egypt. The export of grain prevented a sufficient storage in the country. Adverting to the condition of the masses, and the average rate of agricultural wealth per head of the population, the President complained that Government shrank from publishing details which could be examined; the Duke of i^rgyll had said that " of chronic poverty and of permanent reduction to the lowest level of subsistence, such as prevail only too widely among the vast population of rural India, Ave have no example in the western world ". Improvement was impossible " so long as absentee- ism, which is tlie principal feature of British rule, exists"; the annual extraction of 30 to 40 crores f rom the country without any hope of return was the greatest obstacle to Indian prosperity. The fact is India is not free to choose its own administrative at^ency. Were it free, is there the .slightest doubt that the entire administrative agency would ha indigenous, living and spending their monies in the country ? India, I repeat, is not free, and, therefore, it has no choice in the matter. The governing authorities in the first place have most strangely willed that almost all the higher posts shall be held by men who liv^e a while here, and then retire to their own country. Even another great modern Asiatic power, Russia, is not known to import wholesale Russian agency to carry on the THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 337 work of administration in the distant provinces of Central Asia! But we are told that the European agency is extremely limited. It counts no more than 17,300 persons. True. But contrast the annual expenditure of 16 crores incurred on their account with the 2| crores earned by Indians. Did England sit quiet while the Plantagenets were filling all the high offices from France to the great disadvantage of the English themselves r' Was not England pauperised when the Papacy was rampant and abstracted millions from it annually, as history has recorded ? Would England refrain from complaining, supposing that the position of India and England was to-day reversed ? India was poor, and was " ruled at a cost unheard of in any part of the civilised world ". The President then turned to finance and analysed, with masterly skill, the taxation and expenditure of the country, in which Indians had no voice. There must be industrial development, although improve- ment would be slow since the root of poverty lay in political causes. " ' Insane Imperialism,' to use Mr, Morley's phrase, with its mischievous policy of retrogression and repression is in the ascendant for the moment. But this policy of political insanity, I am firmly of conviction, must sooner or later give way to the former policy of sound liberalism, modified in conformity with the march of time and the irresist- ible logic of events. . . . Indians have never been slow to recognise the benefits of British rule. But it would be unreasonable to ask tliem to sing eternally its praises and transform themselves into its un- qualified panegyrists. No doubt we have a good Government, but it is not unmixed with many an evil. The desire is that the evil may be purged 340 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and die merely like a brute ? Is he not a ' human being, endowed with reason, sentiment, and latent capacity ' ? " The peasant had sunk to a lower and a lower standard of living. There were nearly 200 millions of people living- a life of clironic starvation and of the most abject ig'noranc'^( grim and silent in their suifering, without zest in life, without comfort or enjoyment, without hope of ambition, living because they were born into the world, and dying because life could no longer be kept in the bod}'. Mr. B. Pal Choudhuri supported, dealing with Agricultui-al Banks, and Mr, Guha followed in Bengali, the Resolution being then put and carried. Dr. Gour proposed, the Hon. Mr. Srinivasa Rao seconded, Messrs. Ambikacharan Mozumdar and Kali Prasanna Kavyabisarad supported the hardy annual of the separation of Judicial and Executive functions, to which we cannot afford more space. Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji moved Resolution Y, asking that eminent Indian lawyers should be added to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for Indian Appeals. I'he " law of the Courts " was not always in accord with the " law of the people," and long establised rules were set aside. Mr. P. S. Sivaswami Iyer seconded it, as an extension of the principle already applied in the High Courts. The Resolution was carried. Mr. Gandhi moved Resolution VI, on South Africa, as " a petitioner on behalf of the hundred thousand liritisli Indians in South Africa". He told the now familiar tale of Indian grievances, and the Resolution, THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 341 seconded by Mr. A. Pillai, was carried, and the Congress adjourned. On the third day, Mr. S. Sinlia moved the seventh Resolution, urging various matters of Police Reform, and he dwelt on the admittance of Indians to examin- ation for the Police Service, the recruitment of In- spectors and Sub-Inspectors, and asked for a larger number of Indians in the higher grades. Mr. V. R. Nambier seconded, laying stress on the need for education in the lower grades, and the employment of Indians who understood their own countrymen in the higher. Five other speakers supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution YIII returned to the famine, which brooded over all hearts, and was moved b}' Mr. Gr. Subramania Iyer. He dwelt this time on the need for industrial independence, and pointed to the rapid industrial improvement in Japan since 1868. How could Indta adjust her industrial condition as Japan has adjusted hers to new needs ? India must either go forwai-d or perish. He made practical suggestions for founding technical institutions and foreign scholarships, and a careful survey of indigenous in- dustries. Mr. N. M. Samarth seconded, and Mr. N. K. Ramaswami Aiyar supported, giving histories of past famines and analysing the causes of famine ; the Reso- lution was further supported by Messrs. Jadunath Majumdar and Joseph Benjamin, and carried. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji moved Resolution IX, demanding the wider emplojmient of Indians in the 27 342 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Public Services. It was seconded by Mr. Abdul KasiiTij and carried. Mr. Dixit moved Resolution X, on the cost of British troops in India, in a brief speech, and Mr. C. Y. Ohintamani seconded with equal brevity. The resolu- tion was supported by Mr. Smedley in a discursive and breezy speech, which he concluded by saying that he believed in Home Rule for Ireland and Home Rule for India. He appealed to the young men to be determined, and ask for Home Rule for India. These resolutions seem to me to be making so small a demand, that they will be glad to allow you these little things to keep you off from Home Rule. My last word is : " Go in for Home Rule for India," and the blessing of God rest upon jour efforts. We are taking Mr. Smedley's advice in 1915. Dr. Sarat K. Mnllick moved Resolution XI, approving of the formation of a Cadet Coi'ps for Indian Princes as a step to the establishment of Military Colleges. Moulvi M. Ali Chisti seconded, Mr. K. B. Varma supported, and the Resolnticni was carried. Resolution XII dealt with Education, and was moved by Mr. Y. R. Pandit, who condemned the small expenditure on Education l)y the Government. Mr. B. G. Tilak seconded, urging that Education should be made thorough. Mr. A. Choudhuri and Mr. Mahesvara Prasad seconded, and it was carried. The thirteenth Resolution urged the raising of coolies' Avages in Assam and the abolition of the penal legislation affecting them. It was moved by THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 343 Mr. Jogendra Chandra Ghose, who, himself an employer of coolie labour, protested against the cruel treatment of the Assam coolies, who died in hundreds, while in three years he had only lost two of his labourers in the Sunderbans, one from cholera and one carried off by a tiger. He pleaded for justice, so that the rule of England might last : " I say this out of my great love for you Englishmen — lest ye forget, lest ye forget." Mr. Bepin Chandra Pal seconded, urging the repeal of the Penal Labour Law, and combination to defend the coolies. Mr. Lalit Mohan Clhosal having supported, the Resolution was carried. The medical grievances were again brought up in Resolution XIV, moved by Mr. M. N. Bannerji, seconded by Dr. Nilratan Sarkar, and carried. The fifteenth Resolution urged the needs of agriculture and was very briefly moved, seconded, and sup- ported by Messrs. Yatindranath Choudhuri, Cama, N. K. RamasAvami Aiyar, Moulvi Khoja Muhammad Noor, Dr. Sureshvara Mukerji, and carried. Resolutions on the Economic Question in India (No. XVI), on Currency Legislation (No. XVII), Avere carried, but were too complex to be effectively dealt with in the last rush of the Congress. Resolution XVIII asked for the establishment of a Mining College, and Resolution XIX, the Omnibus, was put from the Chair. Resolution XX re-appointed Mr. A, 0. Hume and Mr. D. E. Wacha, and Resolution XXI accepted the invitation of the Hon. Mr. P. M. Mehta to the Bombay Presidency. 344 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Then came the votes of thanks to the Reception Committee and the President, and the President's reply, bringing to a close the Seventeenth National Congress. RESOLUTIONS The Death of the Queen-Smpress I. Resolved — ('/) That this Conj^ress desires to express its jjrofound sorrow at the death of Her Majesty, Queen-Empress Victoria, and its sense of the irrepai-able loss which the Empire has sustained thereby. This Congress recalls with gratitude Her late Majesty's deep personal sympathy with the people of India, as evidenced by her gracious Proclamation and by various other measures and personal acts, conceived in the same spirit of anxious solicitude for the welfare of the people of India. (b) That this Congress tenders its respectful homage to His Gracious Majesty King Edward VII, and under His Majesty's beiie- licent reign hopefully looks forward to the strengthening of free institutions, the exj^ansion of popular rights, and the gradual but complete redemption of the promises contained in Her late Majestj''8 Proclamation. (c) That this Congress desires to place on record its deep sense of regret at the grea.t loss that the country lias sustained by the untimely death of the Hon. Mr. Justice Eanade. Work of tlie Congress II. Resolved — (a) That the Congress is of opinion that it is essential for the success of its work, that there should be a Com- mittee in Londoii, acting in concert with it, and a weekly journal published in London, ju'opagating its views, and this Congress resolves that its British Committee as at present constituted, and the journal India as published by it, be maintained and continued, and the cost be raised in accordance v.'ith the following scheme : (h) That a circulation of 4,000 copies of India be secui-ed by allocating 1,500 copies to Bengal, 700 coj^ies to Madras, 200 copies to the N. W. Provinces, .50 copies to Oudh, 100 copies to the Panjab, 4.50 copies to Berar and the Central Provinces, and 1,000 copies to Bombay, the rate of yearly subscrijition being Es. K. (c) That the following gentlemen be appointed Secretaries for the Cii-clos against which their names appear, and be held responsible for the sums due for the copies oi India assigned to their respective Circles ; and the money be paid in advance in two half- yearly instalments. THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 345 Bengal : Berar & the Central Provinces : Mr. Siu'endraTiath Bannerji. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu. *f^- ^- ^- Mudholkar. Mr. Baiknnthanath Sen. N. W. Provinces and Oudh Bombay : Pandit M. M. Malaviya. HT Ti HI- Tir 1 X ^^^- Gano-a Prasad Varina Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale. -^ Madras : Hon. Mr. Srinivasa Eao. C awn PORE : Mr. Pritliwinath Pandit. Mr. Vniara^havachan. t>.^t.„ TV/T ^r o \T X.- PANJAB: Mr. V. Kyru Nambier. Mr. G. Subraniania Iyer. Lala Harkishan Lai. (d) That with a view to meet the balance required to defray the expenses of India and the British Committee a special delegation fee of Rs. 10 be paid by each delegate in addition to the usual fee now paid by him, with effect from 1902. Poverty and Remedies therefor III. Resolved — (a) That the Congress once again desires to call the attention of the Government to the deplorable condition of the poorest classes in India, full forty millions of whom, according to high official authority, drag out a miserable existence, on the verge of starvation even in normal years, and this Congress recom- mends the following amongst other measures for the amelioration of their condition — (2) That the Permanent Settlement be extended to those parts of the counti-y where it does not exist ; that restrictions be put on over-assessments in those parts of India where it may not be advisable to extend the Permanent Settlement p.t the present time, so as to leave the ryots sufficient to maintain themselves oil, and that these Settlements of laud revenue be guaranteed for longer periods than is the case at present. (3) That Agricultural Banks be established and greater facilities be accorded for obtaining loans under the Agricultural Loans Act. (4) That steps be taken to impi-ove the Agriculture of the country and in connection with this, this Congi-ess exhorts all landed proprietors in the country to pay gi-eater attention to the agricultural needs of the country and adopt such measures as are iu their power to meet them. 346 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (5) That the minimum income assessable under the Tncome- Tax Act be raised from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000. (6) That the drain of the wealth of the country be stopped, at least in part, by the wider employment of the children of the soil in the Public Services. VIII. Resolved — That this Congress deploi-es the recurrence of famine in a more or less acute form throughout India in recent years, and records its deliberate conviction that famines in India are mainly due (1) to the great jioverty of the people brought on by the decline of all indigenous arts and industries and the drain of the wealth of the country which has gone on for years ; and (2) to excessive taxation and over- assessment of land, consequent on a policy of extravagance followed by the Government both in the civil and military departments, which has so far impoverished the people that at the first touch of scarcity they are rendered helpless and must perish unless fed by the State or helped by private charity. In the opinion of this Congress the true remedy against the recurrence of famine lies in the adoption of a policy which would enforce economy, husband the resotirces of the State, improve the agriculture of the country, foster the revival and develojiment of indigenous arts and manufactures, and help forward the intro- duction of new industries. (b) That this Congress rejoices that a " Famine Union " has been formed in London with a branch in Liverpool, consisting of distinguished men from all parties, and this Congress desires to place on record its deep gratitude to the members of the Union for their sympathy with the famine-stricken sufferers in India, and the earnest and eminently practical way in which they have set them- selves to the task. Legal IV. Resolved — That the Congress once again records its deliberate opinion that the separation of Judicial and Executive functions is necessary in the interests of righteous and efficient administration of justice ; the Congress is supjjorted in this opinion by higli and distinguished authorities, intimately familiar with the administration of criminal justice in India, such as Lord Hobhouse, Sir Richard Garth, Sir William Markby, Sir James Jardine, Mr. Reynolds and others. This Congress undei-stands that the question is now under the consideration of the Government of India ; and having regard to the soundness of the j)rinciple involved, the unanimity of public sentiment on the subject, and above all to the numerous instances of failure of justice resulting from the coml)ination of Judicial and Executive functions, this Congress appeals to the Government of India to introduce this much-needed reform, which has been too long didayed jjurtly through the fear of loss of prestige and the weakening of the executive Government, THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 347 but chiefly on the score of expense, which it is believed will not be heavy and which in any case oujafht not to be an insurmountable difliculty. V. Resolved — That this Congress is stronglj of opinion that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council should be strength- ened so far as appeals from India are concerned and this Congress respectfully ventures to suggest that Indian lawyers of eminence should be appointed as Lords of the Judicial Committee to partici- pate in the determination of apjaeals from India. South Africa VI. Resolved — That this Congress sympathises with the British Indian settlers in South Africa in their struggle for exis- tence, and respectfully draws the attention of His Excellency the Viceroy to the Anti-Indian legislation there, and trusts that while the question of the status of British Indians in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colonies is still under tlie consideration of the Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, His Excellency will be graciously pleased to secure for the settlers a just and equitable adjustment thereof. Public Service VII. Resolved — That this Congress notices with satisfaction that the question of Police Reform is now under the considei-ation of the Government and that it is one of the twelve questions which His Exellency the Viceroy proposes to deal with during the term of his Viceroyalty. The Congress repeats its conviction that no satisfactory reform could be effected unless the Police were re-organ- ised on the following lines : (1) That the higher ranks of the Police should be recruited more largely than at present from among educated Natives of India aa by statute defined, who, being conversant with the language and habits, thoughts, and life of their subordinates, would be in a posi- tion to exercise a more effective control over their subordinates than is exercised at present. (2) That the pay and prospects of the subordinate ranks of the Police should be substantially improved so as to render the Service more attractive to the educated community. This Congress is of opinion that the wider employment of educated Indians in the subordinate ranks of the Police upon higher pay and with better prospects can alone contribute to the efficiency and integrity of the Police. (3) That the competitive examination held in England for the recruitment of the provincial branches of the Police Service, should be thrown open to natives of India, instead of being confined to candidates of British birth. 348 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM IX. Resolved— That the Congress once again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have not produced the results which were anticipated, and this Congress repeats its conviction that no satisfactory solution of the question is possible unless effect is given to the Resolution of the House of Com- mons of the 2nd of June, 1893, in favour of holding the examinations for the Indian Civil Service simultaneously in England and India. That, in this connection, this Congre-ss desires to express its profound disappointment at the policy of the Government in respect of the wider emijloyment of Natives of India in tlie higher offices of the Minor Civil Services, such as the Police, the Customs, the Telegraph, the Forest, the Survey, the Opium, as involving their practical exclusion from these offices, and as being opposed to the terms of the Queen's Proclamation and the recommendations of the Public Service Commission ; and this Congress prays that the Government will be jtleased to take earlj' steps to remedy the injustice done to the claims of the people of this country. XIV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that in the interests of the public, the medical service, and the profession, as well as in the cause of economical administration, it is necessary (I) that there should be only one Jlilitary Medical Service with two branches — one for the European Army and the other for the Native Troops worked on identical lines; and (2) that the Civil Medical Service of the country should be reconstituted as a distinct aud independent Medical Service wholly detached from its present military connection and recruited from the profession of medicine in India and elsewhere, due regard being had to the utilisation of indigenous talent. Tliat this Congress further affirms tliat the status and claims of Civil Assistant Surgeons and Hospital Assistants require a thorough and open enquirj- with a view to redressing long-standing anomalies and consefpicnt grievances. Military X. Resolvc'd — Tliat inasmuch as large bodies of Hritish troops have, with perfect safety and without inqicrilling the peace of the country, been withdrawn for service outsi(k> the statutoi-y limits of British India, this Congress is of opinion that the Indian tax-payer should be granted some i-clief out of the iiritish Exchequer towards the cost of maintaining in Itidia the present strength of the European Army : — the claims of tinancial justice to India demand the trans- fer of the cost of a pf)rtion t means to bring advanced knowledge and exact information within the reach of the people. (c) That one of the most important economic questions that require solution at our hands is the organisation of Capital and Credit in villages, towns, provinces, and the country. This Congress invites the attention of its countrymen to make sustained and extensive eiTorts to organise capital and remove one of the many difficulties in the way of improvement of our economic conditions. Finance XVII. Resolved — That this Congress reatlirms its protest against the Currency Legislation of 1893, in whicli was artificially enhanced the value of the rupee by over 30 per cent, which indirectly enhances all taxation to that extent, and which, whilst giving the Government large surpluses from year to year owing to this heavv- indirect taxation — and that too in times of unexampled distress brought about by famines —affects most detrimentally the wealth-))r()dacing institutions of the country, viz., agriculture, plantation, and manufacture. That it is further of opinion that the above-mentioned legislation has alarmingly diminished the jjower of the peasantry to withstand the attacks of natural calamities, and that the most deplorable c(msc(iuenccs may be anticipated to follow from it in coiir.sc of time. Mining Industry XVI II. Resolved — That this Congress notices with satisfac- tion the rapid progress of the mining industry of India, and in consider;ition of the fact that the mineral resources of this coun- try are vast and the facilities for acquiring a thorough knowledge of mining engineering in this country are almost nothing, and in THE SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 351 view of the fact that the tendency of recent legislation on raining, namely Act VII of 1901, is, that all Indian mines must be kept undei- the supervision of mining exjjerts, this C(mgress is of opinion that a Government College of Mining Engineering be established in some suitable place in India after the model of the Royal School of Mines of England, and the Mining Colleges of Japan and the Continent. XIX. Resolved— (I) That this Congress concurs with previ- ous Congi'esses in strongly advocating — (a) The raising of the minimum income assessable under the Income-Tax from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000. [1900 (a) to (d) ]. (II) That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, records its protest — [1900, (a) and (h) ]. (III) That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses expresses its opinion — (a) That the system of Technical Education now in vogue is inadequate and unsatisfactory, and prays, that having regard to the poverty of the people, the decline of indigenous industries and the necessity of reviving them, as also of introducing new industries, the Government will be pleased to introduce a more elaborate and efficient scheme of technical instruction and set apart more funds for its successful working. [1900, (a) and (b) ]. ((/) That the action of the Forest Department under the rules framed by the different Provincial Governments prejudiciallj-^ affects the inhabitants of the rural parts of the country by subject- ing them to the annoyance and oppression of Forest subordinates in various ways : and that it is necessary that these rules should be amended so as to remedy the grievances of the people in the matter. Formal XX. Resolved — That this Congress re-appoints Mi A.O. Hume, C.B., to be General Secretary, and Mr D. E. Wacha to be Joint- General Secretary, for the ensuing year- XXI. Resolved — That the Eighteenth Indian National Congress do assemble after Christmas, 1902, on such day and place in the Bombay Presidency as may be later determined u]ioti. CHAPTER XVIII The National Congress, meeting at Ahvnedabad, in the Bombay Presidency, on December 23rd, 24th and 26th, 1902, began its work on an earlier date than ever before, in conseqnence of the Coronation Darbar of the King-Emperor, Edward V^l, held on January 1st, 1908, in the Imperial City of Delhi. For the second time an Industrial Conference was held in connection witli the Congress, and it was opened on December loth by H. H. the Gaekwar of Baroda, always devoted to the welfare of India. There were 471 delegates present, of whom no less than 287 came from the Ahmedabad C'ircle. They were dis- tributed as follows : Bombay and Sindh ... ... ... ... 418 Madras 12 Berar, C. P. and Hyderabad ... 16 United Provinces ol' Agra and Oudh ( former- ly N. W. P. and Oudh) ... ... 5 Bengal ... ... ... ... ... 20 Panjal) 471 The Chairman of the Hi^ception Committee, Dewan Bahadur Aml)alal Desai, welcomed the Congress THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 853 to the capital of Guzerat ; Guzerat was an industrial and commercial region, and the two terrible fainines through which it had just passed had aroused it to seek the reason of such horrors ; nearly 25 lakhs of people had died out of a population of less than a crore. They saw one reason in the huge amount of wealth drained out of the country. Many of their people emigrated, and they found that their inferior political position hampered their trade, and that it was therefore necessary to agitate politically. Tliey had many cotton mills, forced to pay the unjust excise duty, and they felt that commercial pursuits without political action were suicidal. Agricultural- ists suffered under inelastic revenue conditions, and all asked : " Why are we so poor ? " Hence Guzerat turned to the Congress. The Hon. Mr. P. M. Mehta proposed, the Hon. Mr. S. Nair seconded, and IMr. S.N. Pandit supported the election of the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, and he took the Chair amid immense applause. After alluding to the Congresses previously held in the Bombay Presidency, Mr. Bannerji alluded to the Coronation Darbar to be held at Delhi, and remarked that the 1858 Darbar at Allahabad, that of 1877 at Delhi, that of 1887 at Calcutta, had been marked by declarations of wider liberty to Indians; surely the Darbar of Delhi in 1893 would grant some substantial concession to the people. The question, however, which concerned them most was the Report of the Universities Commission, which had aroused " alarm, deep, genuine, and all-pervading, 28 354 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM felt by all sections of the educated community throughout India, by Hindus and Musalmans alike ". " The noblest gift which British rule has conferred upon India is the boon of high education. It lies at the root of all our progress." The President then analysed the Eeport, pointing out its deficiencies, and condemned the new policy towards the Universities ; he, however, put much trust in the Viceroy, who would, he hoped, remedy the points protested against b}' the Indian community. He then turned to the economic problem, and asked whether it was true, as Mr. Digby asserted, " that India has undergone steady material retrogression under British rule," and declared that behind the economic policy lay the entire problem of Indian administration. A Com- mission of Enquiry should be issued to settle the question : " Is the country getting poorer day by day ?^' An enquiry had been held in 1880-81, under Lord Ripon, and a second during the Viceroyalty of Lord Duiferin, but the results of those enquiries were withheld from publication : Now these enquiries either prove or dispi'ove the alle<;ation that the country is becoming poorer under British rule. If they disprove the alleg-ation, nothing would be more natural than that the rulers of India should hasten, by their publication, to refute a charge Avliich involves so serious a reflexion upon their own administration. If these enquiries do not disprove the charge, nothing would be more natural than that they should keep back the evidence of which they are in possession. To Avithhold from the public the results of these enquiries and the evidence on which they are based, raises a presumption against the roseate view of the THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 355 economic situation. The presumption is strengthened by the steady refusal to hold an open enquiry, and it assumes more or less the complexion of definite proof, in view of facts the significance of which cannot be ovei'looked. The President then dealt with the tei'rible re- currence of famines, growing worse as time went on. If such famines happened in Europe, what would be said ? " But India is beyond the pale of civilised opinion, and her calamities do not apparently stir the conscience of even the great Nation into whose hands her destinies have been consigned, by an all- wise Providence." " Destitution is the root-cause of Indian famines." The people, if they were nor- mally prosperous, could buy food when crops failed : But they are absolutely resourceless, sunk in the deepest depths of poverty, living from hand to mouth, often starving upon one meal a day, and they die in their thousands and hundreds of thousands upon the first stress of scarcity, and as the situation deepens they die in their millions and tens of millions, despite the efforts of a benevolent Governmient to save them. The President urged that the Government should seek to check the growing destitution by : (1) The revival of our old industries and the creation of new ones ; (2) the moderate assessment of the land- tax ; (3) the remission of taxes which press heavily upon the poor ; (4) the stoppage of the drain, and the adoption of the necessary administrative measures in that behalf. The President then considered Industries, Land- Revenue Assessment, Remission of Taxation, the Drain, and other subjects, and urged that if the 356 HOW INDIA WKOrGHT FOR FREEDOM people had a voice in the expenditure, economy would result. He said in conclusion : The triumphs of liberty are not won in a day. Tjibertv is a jealous Goddess, exacting in her worship and claiming from her votaries prohmged and assiduous de- votion. Read history. Learn from it the inestimable lesson of patienre and fortitude and the self-sacrificing devotion which a constitutional struggle for constitutional liberty involves. Need I impress these lessons upon a people Avho have presented to the world the noblest of these virtues ? Every page of Indian history is resplen- dent with the touch of self-abnegation The re- sponsibilities of the present, the hopes of the future, the glories of the past ought all to inspire us with the noblest enthusiasm to serve our country. Is there a land more worthy of service and sacrifice ? Where is a land more interesting, more venerated -in antiquity, more rich in historic traditions, in the wealth of religious, ethical and spiritual conceptions, which have left an enduring impress on the civilisation of mankind ? India is the cradle of two religions. It is the Holy Land of the East. Here know- ledge first lit her torch. Here, in the morning of the world, the Vaidic Rishis sang those hymns which re- present the first yearnings of infant humanity towards the divine ideal. Here was developed a literature and language which still excite the admiration of mankind — a philosophy which pondered deep over the pr()l)lems of life and evolved solutions which satisfied the highest yearnings of the loftiest minds. Here, man first essayed to solve the mystery of life, and tlic solution, wrapped in the rich colours of the poetic imagination and clotlied with the deeper significnnce of a higher spiritual idea, l)ids fair, thanks to the genius of the greatest Hindu scientist of the age, to be accepted by the world of science. From our shores went forth those missionaries who, fired with apostolic fervour, traversed the wilds of Asia and established the ascendency of that faith wliich is the law and the religion of the Nations of the far East. Japan is our spiritual pupil. China and Siberia and the islands of the Eastern Archipelago turn with reverend THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 357 eyes to the land where was born the Prophet of their faith. Our pupils have out-distanced us ; and here are we, hesitating-, doubting, calculating, casting up moral results to satisfy ourselves that our gains have been commensurate to our sacrifices. Such indeed has not been tlie royal road to political en- franchisement. The triumphs of liberty have not thus been won. Japan is an object-lesson whicli tlirusts itself upon the view. Read her history ; note her wonderful self- sacrifice, her marvellous power of adaptation, her patience, her fortitude, her indomitable energy and persistency, and let the most ancient of Eastern nations derive inspira- tion and guidance from the youngest, which has solved the riddle of Asiatic life and has harmonised the conservatism of tlie Bast with the progressive forces of the West Despotic rule represents a stage of transition, the period of which should not be unneces- sarily prolonged. But transition must give place to permanence. All signs point to the conclusion that the period of reconstruction has now arrived. The forces are there ; the materials are there ; they lie in shapeless mas.ses. Where is the man of genius who will com- municate to them the vital spark and transform them into a new and a higher and a grander organisation, suited to our present requirements and fraiight with the hopes of a higher life for us and a noisier era for Britisli rule in India ? The statesmanship of Mr. Chamberlain, bent upon the work of reconstruction and consolidation in South Africa, Avill pale before the splendour of this crowning achievement. We plead for the permanence of British rule in India. We plead for the gradual reconstruction of that ancient and venerated system Avhich has given to India law and order and the elements of stable peace. We plead for justice and liberty, for equal rights and enlarged privileges, for our participation in the citizenship of the Empire ; and I am sure we do not plead in vain ; for the Empire, thus reconstituted and reorganised, will be stronger, nobler, richer far in the love, the gratitude, the enthu.iiastic devotion of a happy and contented people, rejoicing in 358 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM their indissoluble union with England, and glorying in the rich promises of steady and uninterrupted progress towards their high destinies, under the protection and guidance of that great people, to whom in the counsels of Providence has been assigned the high roission and the consecrated task of disseminating among the nations of the earth, the great, the priceless, the inestimable blessing of constitutional liberty. When tlie cheers evoked by the eloquent speaker had subsided, the Subjects' Committee was approved, and the Congress adjovinied. On the second da}", Resolution I, offering homage to the new King-Emperor, and Resolution II ex- pressing sorrow for the passing away of Mr. R. M. Sayani and Mr. Ranga Naidu, were put from the Chair and carried. Mr. G. Subramania I^^er moved Resolution III, drawing attention to the poverty of the people, and suggesting remedies. He pointed out that there had been a time when the population of India was so flourishing that foreign visitors envied it, and when arts and industries flourished. The East India Com- pany had deliberately sacrificed India to the com- mercial advantage of England, had discouraged in- dustries and encouraged agriculture, so that India might produce raw materials for the manufacturing industries of England ; that policy had destroyed Indian industries, and (lovernment, which had in- herited it, should reverse it. Wliat is being done ? The gold mines of Kolar are worked by European capital. They yield 20 crores of rupees worth of gold annually, which is taken to another country. When THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 859 in another 20 or 30 yeai's all the gold is dug up and carried away, what will remain to the people of Mysore but stones ? Government ought to protect Indian wealth, not allow it to be carried away. The splendid gift of Mr. Tata for scientific research and training had not been utilised. Further, the capital existing in the country in small amounts should be gathered into banks and used for industrial and agricultural purposes. The Hon. Mr. Perraju seconded, and dealt with revenue assessment, the ever fruitful source of poverty. Mr. M. K. Patel laid stress on the money- famine in India, and contrasted the beginning of the 18th century, when India exported to England more than a million and a half sterling worth of piece goods, and the end of the nineteenth, when she imported 28 millions worth of manufactured cotton. It is this destruction of her manufactures which has impoverished India. " The Indian Railway's and Free Trade have between them ruined our artisan classes." The Hon. Mr. Goculdas K. Parekh also supported, showing how the heavy assessments threw land out of cultivation. The Resolution was carried. The fourth Resolution thanked the Famine Union in England for its effort to secure an enquiry into the economic condition of typical villages, and en- dorsed its request. It was moved by Mr. G. Raghava Iyer, and he showed the need for enquiry, in order that an accurate judgment might be formed on reliable facts and figures. He also supported the publication of previous enquiries. Mr. Peter Paul Pillai seconded, 360 now INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM pointing to tlie frequency of famines in India. Mr. V. R. Natu and Mr. Bhaishankar Nanabhai supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution V appealed to Government to secure better treatment for the Indian settlers in South Africa, and Mr. I). P. Thakore gave a graphic picture fi'om his own experience of the constant and intoler- al)le insults to which all Indians were subjected : " the Indian is hated and insulted both in public and private life ". Mr. Krishna Iyer seconded, and three Muhammadan residents in South Africa, Messrs. (xhulam Hasan Muakhan, Haji Suleiman and Haji Sumar, having supported, the Resolution was carried. The sixth Resolution protested against the Currency Legislation of 1893, and was moved by Mr. Vithaldas Damodardas Thakarsey, seconded by Mr. G. Subra- mania Iyer, and supported by Mr. Sorabji Karaka, who said it had literally killed the mill-industry; it carried. Mr. N. M. Samarth moved Resolution YI, con- demning the new burden imposed on India by increasing the pay of the British soldier, and the suggestion of an increase in the British troops quartered in India; the Resolution was second- ed by the Hon. Mr. Srinivasa Rao, supported by Mr. Baikunthanath Sen and carried. Whereon the Congress adjoui-ned. On meeting for the third day, the Congress found itself face to face with sixteen Resolutions, and the annual race began. Mr. J. Choudhuri moved THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 361 Resolution VIII, thanking the Government of India for its circular letter staying action on some of the proposals of the Universities Commission, and raising special objections to the most reactionary of the proposals made. He pointed out that education was regarded in quite a wrong spirit, and protested against the obstacles placed in the way of poor students. Mr. D. Ct. Padhya remai'ked that the Universities Commission had been composed of Grovernment re- presentatives more largely than any other, and the whole scheme aimed at the narrowing of the sphere of education in India, and the curtailment of the rights of the Fellows and Faculties had for object the gaining of an official majority in the Senate and Syndicate. Mr. N. B. Ranade drew attention to the injury propos- ed to be done to the teaching of History, Political Economy and Science, subjects vitally necessary for Indians. Mr. G. M. Tripathi condemned the inter- ference of the State in education, forcing on men who should be gurus, giving freely of their know- ledge, the banya system of so much education for so much coin. The poor boys here were more eager for learning than the rich. The Resolution was carried. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer proposed Resolution IX, asking the Government to support Mr. Tata's Re- search Institute, and recommending the establish- ment of similar institutions in different parts of the country. It was seconded by Mr. Krishna Nair, supported by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, and carried. 362 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM In Resolution X, the inadequacy of the representa- tion of experienced Indians on the Police Commission was regretted, Mr. S. Sinha pointing- out that there were only two Indians outside officials, and of these one was a C. I. E. always seeking to please English- men, and the other a Maharaja as yet untried. Unless the grievances of the people touching the Police were placed before the Commission, there would be no reforms. Mr. Krishnamachari seconded, Messrs. N. N. Mitra, M. K. Padhya, S. B. Bhagvat supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XI was on the separation of the Judicial and Executive Functions, patiently moved by Dewan Bahadur Amhalal Sakerlal, seconded by Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar — who said they could not afford to be tired of discussing it as long as the administration tired them by practising it — supported by Mr. Rustam K. R. Cama and Pandit K. P. Kavyabisharad, and carried. Resolution XII passed a well-merited condemna- tion on the system of appointing to District Judge- ships Covenanted Civilians with little knowledge of law. Mr. Jogendranath Mukerji moved it, giving instances of judicial ignorance. Mr. A, M. Advani, in seconding, added to these, and Mr. Hardeoram Nanabhai Haridas complained that logic and facts were useless before the Assistant Civilian Judge ; they had to rely on adjectives. 'J'lie Resolution was passed. Once more the reduction of the Salt Tax, that most iniquitous burden on the poor, came up as Resolution XIII, and was moved by Mr. C. Y. Chintamani in a THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 363 terse and forcible speech, and seconded by Mr. J. V. Desai, who remarked that, in Gruzerat, salt cost Re. 0-1-3 per maund, and the dnty on that quantity was Rs. 2-8-0. The Resolution was carried. It is astounding that these things should be pointed out so constantly, and no redress should l)e gained. In a Self-Governed country such grievances would he removed. Once more the Congress, in Resolution XI Y, voiced the grievances of Indians in the Public Services. Mr. G. K. Setna moved, Mr. Abdul Kasirn seconded, and it was carried. Railways were the next example of the exclusion of Indians in the higher branches of the Service, and Mr. Govindrao Apaji Patil moved Resolution XV, remarking that there would be less loss on the railways were it not for the high cost of Europeans, and caustically remarking that Indians might become Assistant Collectors and Collectors, but not Traffic Inspectors. Mr. S. M. Patel seconded, and Mr. M. K. Patel having supported it, the Resolution passed. Mr. D. E. Wacha brought up the standing grievance of the Excise Duty on Indian-produced cloth in Resolution XVI, saying that he would refer the Congress to his previous speeches on tlie subject. Seth Mangaldas Girdhardas seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XVII, on the Medical Services, asking for the reforms previously demanded, was moved by Dr. A. Erulker Salomon. Dr. Joseph Benjamin seconded, and it was carried. 364 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. N. C. Kelkar moved the eighteenth Resolution, urging Government to throw open the higher grades of the Army to Indians and to establish Military Colleges. These requests had long been lurking in the seclusion of the Omnibus, but now came out once more on their own feet, were seconded by Dr. Joseph Benjamin, and carried. 'J'he President then drove in the Omnibus (No. XIX), and Resolution XX on the British Committee and India, and both were carried. Thanks were offered to Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committee in Resolution XXI, and the reappointment of Messrs. A. 0. Hume and D. E. Wacha as Secretaries was put from the Chair as Resolution XXII. He also put Resolution XXIII, fixing the Nineteenth Congress at Madras. A vote of thanks was moved to the President, who acknowledged it in a felicitous and eloquent speech, specially appealing to the younger generation to take up the work of the Congress, and so bring about the realisation of the Nation's hopes. With his inspiring words ringing in their hearts, tlie Eighteenth National Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Homage to the Crown T. Resolved -That tlie Coiip^resK Ix^gs to tender its respectful homaj^e to His Most (Iracious Majesty, King-Eiiiperor Edward VII, on the occasion of the approaching Coronation Dai'bar to be held at Delhi on 1st January, 19U3, and humbly trusts that His Majesty's reign will be an era of peace, prosperity and contentment through- out the Empire and will be marked by the gradual but complete redemption of the pledges contained in Her late Majesty's Procla- mation and re-affirmed in His Majesty's gracious Message to the i luliaii n(>oi)le. TFIE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 865 Regret of the Congress II. Resolved— That this Consrress wishes to place on record its great regret at the death of Mr. R. M. Sayani, one of its past Presidents, and of Mr. P. Raugia Naidu, who did valuable services in various capacities to the interests of this country. Poverty and Remedies III. Resolved — That the Congress earnestly desires to draw the attention of the Government of India to the great poverty of the Indian peojjle, which, in the opinion of the Congress, is mainly due to the decline of indigenous arts and manufactures, to the drain of the wealth of the country which has gone on for years, and to excessive taxation and over-assessment of land which have so far impoverished the people that at the first touch of scarcity large numbers are forced to throw themselves on State help. And the Congress recommends tlie following amongst other remedial measures : (1) That practical stejjs in the shape of State encouragement be taken for the development and revival of indigenous arts and manufactures and for the introduction of new industries. (2) That Government be pleased to establish technical schools and colleges at important centres throughout the country. (3) That the Permanent Settlement be extended to such parts of the country as are now ripe for it, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Secretary of State for India's Despatches of 1862 and 1867 on the subject ; and that reduction of, and judicial restriction on, over-assessments be imposed in those parts of India where Government may still deem it inadvisable to extend the Permanent Settlement. (4) That the drain of the wealth of the counti-y be stopped, at least in part, by a much wider employment of the children of the soil in the higher branches of the Public vService. (5) That Agricultural Banks be established for the better organisation of rural credit and for enabling solvent agriculturists to obtain loans on comparati\'ely easy terms. Enquiry into BJconomic Condition IV. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its grateful appreciation of the efforts which the Famine Union in England is making to secure a detailed enquiry into the economic condition of a number of typical villages in India. In tlie opinion of this Congress, such an enquiry will in no way prove inquisitorial as apprehended, but will be of the highest value for a proper under- standing of the true condition of the Indian Ryot, and will clear up many of the misapprehensions which prevail at present on the 29 866 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM subject and which interfere with the adoption of the right remedial measures. That the C(mgress is of opinion that such an enquiry, following the two severe famines, is highly expedient, inasmuch as it will enable the Government to bo placed in possession of economic data of great utilicj' for purposes of comparison. And the Congress hopes that the Secretary of State for India will be pleased to rec'onsider his decision in the matter. In this connection the Congress would respectfully urge that the Government of India should be pleased to publish the results of the official enquiries which have been held in the past on this subject, notably the enquiry instituted during tbe time of Lord Dufferin, extracts from which, alone, have been published. South Africa V. Resolved — That this Congress once more urges upon the attention of the Government of India the serious grievances of Indian Settlers in South Africa, and regrets to observe that the Imperialistic spirit of the British Colonies, instead of mitigating the anti-Indian legislation, threatens to impose further disabilities and hardships on His Majesty's loyal Indian subjects thei"e. In view of the admitted loyalty of these Indian settlers and the help rendei-ed by them during the late war, as well as the invaluable help rendered by India to tlie British Empire at a most critical time, the Congress fervently praj's that the Government of India will be pleased to take the necessary practical steps to secure a just, equitable, and liberal treatment of the Indian settlers in Sottth Africa. In this connection the Congress notes with satisfaction the assurance recently given by the Secretary of State for India, to a deputation that interviewed him on the subject, tliat early steps are contemplated to relax the stringency of the restrictions at present enforced against the Indian settlers in the territories lately conqupi-ed from the Boer (Joverninent. Monetary VI. Resolved— That this Congress strongly reiterates its j^ro- test against the currency legislation of 189.3, which has artificially enhanced the value of the rupee by more than thirty per cent, which indirectly enhances all taxation to that extent, and which, whilst giving the Government large surpluses from year to year, affects most injuriously the intei'ests of the agriculturists and other ]irodii<'ers of this country. Military VII. Resolved — That this Congress enters its most emidiatic protest against the fresh ))ermanent burden of £786,000 per annum, which the increasi- made during the course of the year in the i)ay of the British soldier would im|jose on the roventics of India, and THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 367 views with alann the recent announcement of the Secretary of State for India, hinting at a possible increase in the near future of the strength of the British troops in the country. In view of the fact that during the last three years lai-ge bodies of British troops have with perfect safety been withdrawn for service in South Africa and China, the proposal to increase the strength of the existing British garrison manifestly involves a grievous injustice to the Indian tax-payer, and the Congress eai-nestly trusts that the pro- posal will either be abandoned, or else be carried out at the cost of the British Exchequer, which, in fairness should bear, not only the cost of any additional British troojjs that niaj^ be employed, but also a reasonable proportion of the cost of the existing garrison. XVIII. Eesolved — That while thanking the Govei-nment of Lord Curzon for opening a military career to a few scions of noble families by the creation of the Cadet Corps, this Congress urges that in view of the loyalty and splendid services rendered by the Indian troops to the British Empire in the late Chinese war and in other wars. Government will be pleased to throw open to the Natives of India higher posts in the Military Services and to establish Military Colleges at which Indians may be trained for a military career as commissioned and non-commissioned officers in the Indian Army. Education VIII. Resolved — That this Congress desires to tender its respectful thanks to the Government of India for the Circular Letter recently addressed by them to Local Governments on the subject of the Universities Commission Report — so far as it relates to the proposals for the abolition of Second Grade Colleges and Law classes — which has partially allaj'ed the apprehension in the public mind that due weight might not be attached to public opinion in taking action on the recommendations of the Commission. That this Congress views with the gravest alarm many of the Commis- sion's recommendations, the acceptance of which will, in its opinion, reverse the policy steadily pursued during the last half of a century by the British Government in the matter of higher education, by checking its spread and restricting its scope, and by virtually destroying such limited independence as the Universities at present enjoy. That in particular the Congress objects most strongly to the following recommendations of the Commission : (a) The aVjolition of all existing Second Grade Colleges ex- cept such as may be raised to the status of a First Grade College, and the prohibition of the affiliation of new Second Grade Colleges. (6) The fixing by the Syndicate of minimum rates of fees for different colleges. 368 HOW INDJA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (c) The introduction of a rigidly uniform course of studies throughout the country, irrespective of the lines on which the different Universities have so far progressed. (d) The monopoly of legal instruction by Central Law Colleges, one for each Province or Presidency. (e) The virtual licensing of all secondary education by making the existence of all private schools dependent upon their recognition by the Director of Public Instruction. (/) And the officialisation of the Senate and the Syndicate and the practical conversion of the University into a Department of Government. IX. Eesolved — That this Congress considers that the Institute of Research which the private beneficence of Mr. Tata proposes to establish, should receive adequate support from Government, and the Congress is strongly of opinion that similar institutions should be founded m different parts of the country. Police X. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of regret at the inadequacy of the representation on the Police Commission of Indian gentlemen of e.xperience on the subject, and at the limited scope of reference as indicated in the Resolution of the Government of India, and in the opening speech of the President. This Congress further records its deliberate conviction that the Police will not be rendered efficient unless the following among other reforms are carried out : (1) That men of adequate qualilifation are secured for superior offices in the Police Service. (2) That educated Indians are largely employed in the su])erior offices in the Police Service. (3) Tliat the position and pi'osijects of investigating and inspecting officers are improved, so as to attract educated men to the Service. (4) That the District officer, who is District Magistrate and head of the Poh'ce, is reh'eved of his judicial powers and of all control over the Magistrac}'. Legal XI. Rcsulved — That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, appeals to the Government of India and the SccretHry of State, to take earlj' practical steps for the purpose of carrying out the separation of Judicial and Executive functions in the administra- tion of criminal justice, the desirability of which has been frequently THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 369 admitted on part of Grovernment. In this connection, the Congress regrets to notice that the trend of recent legislation is not only to deprive the Judiciary of its salutary and wholesome power of check and restraint over the Executive, hut to invest the Executive with greater and uncontrolled powers. ClYilian Judges XII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the present system, under which a very large proportion of the District Judgeships, Joint-Judgeships and Assistant-Judgeships, are filled by Covenanted Civilians without any special legal training and without adequate guarantee of the knowledge of law necessary for the satisfactory discharge of the very important and responsilDle judicial duties entrusted to them, is injurious to the best interests of efficient judicial administration in the Muffasal, and that it is iirgentlj- necessary to devise means to ensure a higher standard of efficiency in the administration of law, by securing the services of trained lawyers for the said posts. Salt Tax XIII. Resolved — That the Congress strongly protests against the present high duty on salt, and in view of the fact that the prevalence and spread of many diseases are now traced to the insufficiency of salt consumed by the Indian masses, and that the accounts of the Government of India have now been showing large sui-pluses j'ear after year, the Congress urges that Govern- ment should be pleased to reduce the Salt Tax bj' at least the amount of its enhancement in 1888. Public Service XIV. Resolved — That the Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have practically proved void of any good results to the people of this country, and is strongly of opinion that no satisfactory solution of the question is possible, unless effect is given to the Resolution of the House of Commons of 2nd of June, 1893, in favour of holding the Competitive Examination for the Indian Civil Services, i.e., Civil, Medical, Police, Engineering, Telegraph, Forest, and Accounts, both in England and in India. That the policy of the Government of India in regard to the minor Civil Services practically excludes the Natives of India from higher appointments in them, and is there- fore opposed not only to the recommendations of the Public Service Commission but to Royal and Viceregal pledges given to the Indian people from time to time. 370 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM XV. Resolved That, in view of the fact that the Railway Administration forms an imjiortant branch of the P.W. Department of the Government, the Congress notices Avith regret that the Natives of India are practically excluded from higher appointments such as Ti'aftic Inspectors, District Traffic Superintendents, Accountants, etc., on State, as well as on guaranteed Railways, and appointments of Rs. 200 and above are, as a rule, bestowed only on Europeans. That the exclusive employment of Europeans in the higher posts results in heavy working charges, the burden of which falls on the Indian tax-payers at whose expense the State railways have been constructed, and who have to bear the ultimate liability of deficits on the Guaranteed Railways. The Congress therefore deems it its duty to urge in the interests of economical railway administration, as also for the purjjose of removing legitimate grievance, that Government will be pleased to direct the employment of qunlified Indians in the higher branches of the Railway Service. Cotton £xcise Duty XVI. Resolved — That having regard to the fact, that while cloth manufactured bj^ means of power looms in this country in no way competes with the piece goods imported from Lancashire, the imposition of the Excise duty of 3j per cent thereon, apart from its tendency to arrest the free growth of the weaving industry, con- tinues to operate as a great injustice to the manufacturers, and imposes serious hardship on the masses of the peojDle who consume the coarser indigenous products. Tin's Congress earnestly prays that the Government will be pleased to take the matter into favour- able considei'ation and repeal the duty at an early date. Medical XVII. Resolved — That this Congress is of oiiinion that in the interests of the Public, the medical science and the profession, as well as to secure economy of administration it is necessary — (1) That there should be only one Military Medical Service, with two branches— one for the European Army and the other for the Native troops, graduates of the Indian Colleges being employed tf) the latter witli greater economy and etticiencv to the State ; and (2) That the Civil Medical Service of the country should bo reconstituted as a distinct and iiidependent Medical Service, wholl)' detached from its jjresent military connection, and recruited from the open profession of medicine in India and elsewhere, due regard being had to the utilisation of indigenous talent. That this Congress, while gratefully acknowledging what has been done to improve the ])osition and ])r()S]iects of the subordinate Medical Service, is of ()]iiiii(in that tlie grievances of assistant surgeons and hospital THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 371 assistants, compared with members of similar standing- in other departments of the Public Service, require thorougli redress. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions XIX. Resolved — That this Congress concurs with previous Congresses in strongly advocating ; («) That with a view that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council may enjoy greater respect and confidence it is necessary to reconstitute it on a broader basis and that the time is ripe for the appointment of Indian lawyers of eminence as Lords of the Judicial Committee, to participate in the decision of Indian appeals. (b) That the grant of exchange compensation allowance to the non-domiciled European and Eurasian employees of Grovernment, should be discontinued. (r) That the rules under the Arms Act should be modified so as to make them equally applicable to all residents in, or visitors to, India, without distinction of creed, caste, or colour, to ensure the liberal concessioa of licences wherever wild animals liabitually destroy human life, cattle, or crops, and to inake all licences granted under the revised rules, of lifelong tenure, revocable only on proof of misuse, and valid throughout the Provincial jurisdiction in which they are issued. {d) That a widespread system of Volunteering, such as obtains in Great Britain, should be introduced amongst the people of India. (e) That a High Court of .Judicature be established in the Panjab. (/) That, inasmuch as the scheme of reorgaiiisation of the Education Service is calculated to exclude Natives of India, including those who have been educated in England, from the superior grade of the Educational Service to which they have hitherto been admitted, the scheme should be recast, so as to afford facilities for the admission of Indian graduates to the superior grade of the Educational Service. (g) That the act of the Secretary of State of India in fixing the limit at two posts beyond which Natives of India cannot comjjete in the Cooper's Hill College is opposed to the plain words of Act I of 1833, and to Her late Majesty's gracious Proclamation. (h) That the system of trial by jury should be extended to the districts and offences to which at present it does not apply, and that the verdicts of juries should be final. (0 That it is desirable that the Criminal Procedure Code should be so amended as to confer upon accused persons who are Natives of India, the right of claiming in trials by jury before the 372 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM High Court, and in trials with the aid of assessors, that not less than half the number of jurors, or of the assessors, shall be Natives of India. (j) That the existint^ rules, framed by the different Pi-ovin- cial Governments in the matter of the Forest Department are oppos- ed to the Eesolution of the Government of India made in 1894, with the object of enunciating the objects of forest conser\^ancy and that an amendment of the rales, in conformity with the above resolution, is urgently called for in the interests of the inhabitants of rural India. Congress Work XX. Resolved — That the Congress is of opinion that it i8 essential for the success of its work that there should be a Commit- tee in London acting in concert with it, and a weekly journal published in London propagating its views, and this Congress resolves that its British Committee, as at j^resent constituted, and the Journal India as published by it, be maintained and continued, and the cost be raised in accordance with the following scheme : That a circulation of 4,000 copies of India be secured by allot- ting 1,500 copies to Bengal, 700 copies to Madras, 200 copies to the N. W. Provinces, 50 copies to Oudh, 100 copies to the Panjub, 450 copies to Berar and the Central Provinces and 1,000 copies to Bombay ; the rate of yearly subscription being Rs. 8. That the following gentlemen be appointed Secretaries for the circles against which their names appear, and to be held responsi- ble for the sums due for the cojjies of India assigned to their respective circles, and the money be paid in advance in two half- yearly instalments : Bengal : Berar & the Cextkal Provi nces Mr. Surendranath Bannerji. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar. Mr. Bhu])endranath Basu. Mr. Baikimthanath Sen. x. W. Provinces & Oudh : Bombay : Pandit M. M. Malaviya. Mr. Ganjja Prasad Varraa. Mr. S. Sinha. Hon. Mr. P. N. Mehta. Mr. D. E. Wacha. ,, , „ , Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale. ^^^•- ^- ^"'"^y- C awn PORE : Mr, Prithwinath Pandit. Madras: H(jn. Mr. Srinivasa Rao. Mr. Vijiaratchavachari. „ AT \T I) X' 1 • Paxjab : Mr. V. Ryru ^ambier. Mr, G. Subramania Iyer. Lala Harkishan Lai THE EIGHTEENTH CONGEESS 373 That with a view to meet the balance required to defray the expenses of India and the British Committee, a special delegation fee of Rs. 10 be paid by each delegate, in addition to the usual fee now paid by him, with effect from 1902. Thanks of Congress XXI. Resolved — -That this Congress tenders its most grateful thanks to Sir W. Wedderbm-n, and the other members of the British Congress Committee, for the services rendered by them to India during the present year. [And see IV, VIII, and XVIII.] Formal XXII. Resolved — That this Congress re-appoints Mr. A. 0. Hume, C.B., to be General Secretary, and Mr. D. E. Wacha, to be Joint- General Secretary, for the ensuing year. XXIII. Resolved — That the Nineteenth Indian National Con- gress do assemble after Christmas, 1903, at Madras. CHAPTER XIX Once more the National Congress met at Madras, in a large pandal holding nearly 6,000 persons, erected in Spring Gardens, Teynampet. The Nineteenth Congress held its sittings on December 28th, 29th and 30th, 1903, and the third Industrial Exhibition was held with it, and was opened, on December 26th, by the young Maharaja of Mysore. The delegates numbered 538, distributed as follows : Madras ... C. P., Berar, Secunderabad and Hyderabad Bengal and Assani Bombay U. P Panjab ... Burma ... 383 18 47 76 8 5 1 538 We see Hiirnia represented for the first time, but Sindh sent no one this year. The President of the Reception Conunittee, Navvab Syed Muhainniad Sahab Bahadur, welcomed the delegates, and after announcing the loss the Congress had sustained in the passing away of Lord Stanley of Alderley and the Raja of Ramnad, THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 375 he urged that Miihammadans and Hindus had common political interests, and must cordially unite for the good of tlieir common country. Some de- precated political agitation, but " politics is the science of social happiness," and in concerning them- selves with political work, they were following the example shown them by the British Nation. Im- patience of criticism was a common official fault; none the less was it their duty to point out what Avas needed, and the people must be emancipated from their intellectual and political thraldom. He recalled Lord Ripon's work in laying the foundations of Self-Grovernment, and suggested that a statue should be erected to him. The Hon. Mr. P. M. Pherozeshah Melita proposed Mr. Lai Mohan Grhose for formal election as President, paying tribute to his great gifts ; Mr. Eardley Norton seconded, the Hon. Pandit M. M. Malaviya supported, and the election was confirmed with deafening cheers. The President said that though for some 3^ears he had not taken an active part in politics, he had been thinking over political problems and had followed with unabated interest the course of events, and perhaps the views thus slowly matured might be more valuable than if he had been speaking all the time. Lord Curzon saAV the hand of Providence in the extension of British rule, and said everyone would admit it was for his good. But Providence was too often appealed to both by the g'overning classes and by the leaders of the masses. 376 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Coming- to tlie case of our own country, although there is not a man amongst us who is not sincerely loyal to the British Government, yet, claiming the undoubted right of British subjects to criticise the acts of the Government, may we not respectfully ask our rulers — and in this connection I make no distinction between the different English political parties — may we not ask whether we are to believe that the policy which many years ago killed our indigenous industries, which even only the other day and under a Liberal administration unblushingly imposed excise duties on our cotton manu- factures, which steadily drains our National resources to the extent of something like 20 millions sterling per annum, and which, by imposing heavy burdens on our agricultural population, increases the frequency and intensity of our famines to an extent unknown in former times — are we to believe that the various administrative acts which have led to those results were directly inspired by a beneficent Providence P The speaker then turned to the very sore subject of Lord Curzon's Delhi Darbar, with its extravagance, the treatment accorded to the Indian Princes — " sub- jected to a humiliation they had never before known under the British Government " — and the Indian visitors, who returned " with bitter memories of the different treatment received by Iiidians and Europeans ". The growing feeling of dislike to Ijord Curzon was intensified by the anger aroused by that unfortunate pageant. The President said : We are not a Self- Governing Nation. We are not able, like the Englisli people, to change one administra- tion for another by our votes in the polling booths. We have to depend entirely upon the justice of tlie British Parliament ; for unfortunately it is only too true that, as time advances, our Indian bureaucracy, instead of com- ing into line with popular ideas, seems to grow more and THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 377 mox'e unsjmpatlietic. Do j'ou think that any administra- tion in England, or France, or the United States, would have ventured to waste vast sums of money on an empty pageant, when Famine and Pestilence were stalking over the land, and the Angel of Death was flapping his wings almost within hearing of the light-hearted revellers ? Gentlemen : a year has now rolled by since the great political pageant was held at Delhi against the almost unanimous protests of all our public and representative men both in the press and on the platform. On what ground did they pi^otest ? They protested, not because they were Avanting in loyalty to the Sovereign, whose coronation it was intended to celebrate, but because they felt that if His Majesty's Ministers had done their duty, and had laid before him an unvarnished story of his famine-stricken subjects in India, His Majesty, wdth his characteristic sympathy for suffering humanity, would himself have been the first to forbid his representatives in this country to offer a pompous pageant to a starving population. However, our protests were disregarded, and the great tamasha was celebrated, with that utter recklessness of expense whicli you may alwaj's expect when men, no matter how highly placed, were dealing with other people's money, and were practically accoun- table to no one for their acts. We are all familiar with the financial jugglery which, by distributing the expenses under various and sometimes under the most unexpected headings, makes it so dif- ficult for ordinary men to find out the total cost of such a pageant. Still, whether you estimate that cost by a few lakhs more or less, it cannot be denied that if even half of the vast sum spent in connection with the Delhi Darliar had been made over for the purposes of famine relief, it might have been the means of saving millions of men, women and children from death by starvation. The President then discussed the questions of Free Trade and Fair Trade as affecting India, dealing caustically with Mr. Chamberlain's programme, and proceeded to analyse the causes of the increasing 30 378 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM poverty of India. Anarchy had been put an end to, but " after all it makes but little difference whether millions of lives are lost on account of war and anarchy, or whether the same result is brought about by famine and starvation ". The President next referred to the burden of military extravagance, the maladministration of justice, and the physical ill- treatment of Indians by Europeans and the impos- sibility of obtaining redress, saying that he was hopeless of obtaining justice where crimes of violence on Indians were committed, unless Parliament Avould take up the question. Leftres de cachet were abolished in France in 1789, but were introduced here in 1818, and were not a dead letter. Lately, they had had a Sedition Act, and this year Lord Curzon had thrown a bombshell into their midst with the Official Secrets Bill, which relieved the prosecution of giving evidence to prove the guilt of the accused, and left the accused to prove his innocence — a reversal of all civilised jurisprudence. The Universities Bill, officialising the centres of learning, came in for trenchant criticism. Then followed a plea for compulsory free primary education, a condemnation of tlie " retrograde and reactionary Madras Municipal Bill," a pressing of the claims of Indian industries, ending on a glad note of some sympathy shown in England, and the rapproche- ment l)et\ve('n Hindus inid M iiliiiiiimadans. Thus ended one of the ablest speeches uttered by a President of the National Congress. Headers will do well to note the increasing signs of the coming danger, forced on by Ijord Curzon's policy against THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 379 all the warnings of the Congress. Coercion created unrest ; a feeling of general insecurity arose, owing to the odious system of the lettres de cachet, under which no man's liberty was safe ; men began to despair of improvement, and secret societies were formed. The voice of Congress was disregarded, and its leaders lived under the shadow of arrest. Each year showed growing anger and increasing re- sentment again the Curzonian rule. The Congress adjourned for the day, after the Subjects Committee had been approved. The second day began with the expression of sorrow for the loss sustained by India in the deaths of Lord Stanley of Alderley, Mr. W. S. Caine and the Raja of Eamnad, the Resolution being pu^rom the Chair and passed in silence, standing. Resolution IT, moved by Mr. D. E. Wacha, dealt with the deeply felt wrong of the exclusion of Indians from the higher grades of the Public Service.^ He ' Survey Department (if the Government of India. — 132 Officers salaries from Es. 300 — 2,000, only two are Indians on Rs. 300. Government Telegraph Department. --b'i Appointments of Rs. 500 and more, only one Indian. Indo-British Telegraph. — 13 Officers above Rs. .500 salary, not an Indian. Mint Department. — 6 Officers above Rs. 500 pay, not an Indian. Poitt Office. — Last year only 1 Indian among the 10 men drawing more than Rs. 500, who w^as a member of the Civil Service. Geological Surrey. — 2 out of the Officers drawing salaries above lis. 500, an Indian. Botanical Survey.— 1^ one. In the Foreign Department. — Out of 22 such Officers only 3 are Indians. Miscellaneous. — There are 22 Officers, of whom there is not a single Indian. Financial Department. — 14 are Indians out of 59 who draw more than Rs. 500 pay. 380 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM gave some striking statistics of the various Services, showing how foreigners everywhere kept out [ndians, leaving the badly paid offices to the people of the country and monopolising the well-paid, a condition intolerable to the self-respect of the people of any civilised land. " We do not grumble at Europeans having a share of the loaves and fishes, but we do grumble and make it a strong grievance that the bigger and most numerous loaves are delil)erately allowed, in defiance of charters, pledges and proclamations, to go to the whites, and smaller and fewer loaves to the blacks." It is not open to us to suspect the motives of Government, but Government may do so, and castigate us to any extent, as Lord Curzon tried the other day to castigfate Mr. Gokhalemost wrongfully. It comes to this, tliat what is mild or inoffensive in the captain becomes choleric and blasphemous in the soldier. So on our part it is blasphemous to attribute motives to Government, but it is not lilaspliemous for the Government to rave and rant and castigate us to its heart's content. . . . Through- out the whole career of the British Indian Government, not from to-day but from the days of the East India Company, tliere is this tradition to give a promise to the ear and to In-eak it to the lieart, and they faitlifully and loj'ally follow tluit tradition. In tlie case of the Public Service Commission, we have found, to our bitter cost and experience, that the same traditional policy has been carried on. Promises were most profusely given to us ; a Commission Avas appointed amid a gi^oat flourish ; finality was to be given to our legitimate aspirations and our just grievances were to be fairly redressed. It has been so for the la.st half century. When the practice comes, we find ourselves exactl}' in the same situation as w'e Avere in before the Commission Avas appointed. This is the tale of our grievances, of our legitimate and fair grievances. *rHE NINETEENTH CONGEESS 381 So spake Mr. Wacha in 1903. We have now, in 1915, the Report of another Public Service Commission awaiting publication. The same old story will be repeated. How can it be otherwise when the Commissions are predominantly Anglo-Indian, and when the power and place of the Anglo-Indian depend on his asserting that the Indian is unfit ? Mr. G. Subramania Iyer seconded, showing how Indians had been more and more ousted from positions of influence, giving them no opportunity of developing their powers; where was an Indian Marquis of Ito, or Count Okuma ? Europeans were paid large salaries while they gained experience here, and then were given high positions abroad to utilise outside India the experience gained in India. They say there should be an irreducible minimvim of Enolisbmen. What does it mean P Slavery is engrained in the skin of our body. If we in our own country are not to be trusted with responsible appointments, if our own Government Avill not take us into their confidence and place us in offices which will give us responsibility in the administration of our own country, what is it, Gentlemen, but slavery ? We are hewers of wood and drawers of water, and nothing more. .... In every department tliere is a regular retro- grade policy being pursued. On the one hand, they go on making promises and giving us hopes and assurances, and on the other hand they go on adopting a backward policy. After a hundred years we have not ad- vanced by one inch, but have gone a long distance back- ward from, where we were. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji spoke to the resolution, declaring that " we have lost ground, but our cause is one of righteousness and justice," and he felt 382 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM " confident that the day will come which will mark the ultimate triumph of equality, and of equal principles even in this unhappy land of ours ". Messrs. Peary Lai Grhose and Abdul Kasim followed and the Resolution was carried. Resolution III on the rise of land assessment, was entrusted to Mr. L. A. Grovindaraghava Iyer, who pointed out that Permanent Settlement, and where that could not be, longer terms of Settlement would better the condition of the ryot. He showed that more was demanded than the ryot could pay, whereas he ought to be so taxed that he could save in good seasons and so face bad ones. In 1852, the Secretary of State sent out a statesmanlike despatch on Permanent Settlement, but the present-day Government was not politically wise. The Hon. Mr. Parekli seconded, and the Resolution was supported by Messrs. Peter Paul Pillai, N. Srinivasavarada Chariar, S. Subranianiam, P. R. Sundara Iyer, and cai-ried. Resolution IV, on Soutli Africa, was moved by Dr. U. L. Uesai and seconded by Mr. S. K. Nair. Mr, C. F. Sievwright brought a petition from Indians in Australia, asking to be rescued from the degrading restrictions placed on fliciii. Mr. V. (1. Vasudeva l*illai, the first delegate from the newly created Jiurinese Congress centre, supported, and the Jiesolution being carried, 1 lie Congress rose for the day. On the third day. Resolution V, on the Universities Bill, was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, who THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 383 pointed out that Government was taking control of Higher Education, as it had limited the civil freedom of their Corporations. The new-fangled Imperialism was darkening the prospects of human freedom. Lord Curzon's " name would go down to posterity indissolubly linked with a reactionary and retrograde measure which has been condemned by the unanimous opinion of educated India '\ They were told that a body of educational experts met in 1901, and advised changes. They " met in secret, deliberated in secret, resolved in secret, and, I presume, dispersed in secret ". The Senates were against the Bill, and they had public opinion behind them. The Univer- sities were made Clovernment Departments. Private institutions would be checked, private colleges de- stroyed, the educational area restricted. The Bill made a revolution. Mr. A.mbalal Saharlal Desai seconded the Re- solution, and it was supported by Messrs. Hari- prasad Chatterji, R. N. Mudholkar, G. Subramania Iyer, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Mr. Chou- dhuri, all voicing protest and condemnation. The Resolution passed, and the results of that reactionary and mischievous measure have folly justified the protest of the Congress. Resolution VI, on the Official Secrets Bill, was viewed with equal disapproval, as " against the interests of the public, dangerous to individual liberty and retrograde in policy ". Mr. Bishan Nara- yan Dhar moved the Resolution, saying that no measure of equal importance had ever been so 384 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR PEEEDOM universally condemned. In the Imperial Council Nawab Syed Muhammad and Mr. Gokhale had earned the country's gratitude by denouncing it, "an odious, nay, iniquitous measure," of which " it is impossible to speak with patience or moderation ". " Lord Curzon is astonished that this should be described as Russianising the administration. I am astonished that anyone should be so imperfectly informed re- garding the Russian Government, as to think that it has got anything in its purely civil laws so arbitrary and so disastrous to the civil liberties of the people as Lord Curzon 's Bill, if passed, would be in this country." Running over the changes in the law made by the Bill, the speaker described them as " monstrous, odious and iniquitous in the extreme," and as " calculated to shake our confidence in the justice and fairness of our rulers". "The policy of coercion and distrust is a mistaken, a suicidal policy." Mr. Murlidhar seconded the Reso- lution, and it was supported by the Hon. Mr. G. Srinivasa Rao and carried. The Bill was, in due course, added to the Coercion Legislation. Resolution VII, on military expenditure, moved by Mr. N. M. Samarth, seconded by Mr. Y. Krishna- swami Iyer, supported l)y Messrs. Charu Chandra Ghose and Mr. G. A. Natesan, and carried, need not detain us, as it is one of our hardy annuals ; but Resolution VIII was a novelty, for it thanked the Government for reducing the Salt Tax and raising the assessable minimum of Income-Tax, thus gi'anting two requests of the Congress : the Resolution THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 385 was moved by Mr. C. Y. Chintamani, seconded by Miss Balgarnie, and carried, Mr. J. Choudhuri moved Resobition IX, on the Partition of Bengal, that high-handed measure Avhich nearly led to a revolution, and was annulled by the King-Emperor in 1911. Indians were trying to weld Indian nationalities into a Nation, but Lord Curzon would "divide us and rule". Mr. Gr. Raghava Rao seconded, and then Mr. V. Krishnaswami Iyer moved an amendment to omit the later part of the Resolution Avhich dealt with a proposal to separate certain districts from Madras. The Amendment was lost and the Resolution carried. Resolution X condemned the Madras Municipal Bill, said by the Hon. Mr. Krishna Nair, the mover, to be " highly reactionary, retrograde and re- volutionary " : the Corporation consisted of 24 men elected by the people and 8 nominated; the Bill reduced the popular representatives to 16, and gave 8 to associations wholly or mainly composed of Europeans. A similar Bill had ruined the Calcutta Municipality. Mr. A. C. Parthasarathi Naidu second- ed, saying that the Bill reduced Local Self-Government to a sham, and carefully analysing the provisions of the Bill. The Resolution was carried. Resolution XI, recommending the election of certain gentlemen to Parliament, and Resolution XII thanking the Government for the Co-operative Credit Societies Bill were carried. The President then put from the Chair the Omnibus, Resolution XIII, and Resolution XIV, the usual vote of thanks 386 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM to Sir William Wedderburn and the British Com- mittee. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji moved the re-appointment of Mr. A. 0. Hume and Mr, D. E. Wacha, adding the Hon. Mr. Gr. K. Gokhale as a second Joint General Secretary. Resolution XY fixed the next sitting of the Congress at Bombay, and with the usual votes of thanks the Nineteenth Session of the National Congress found its ending. RESOLUTIONS Sorro-w of Congress I. Eesolved — That this Congress desires to put on i-ecord its sense of the deep and irreparable loss sustained by India by the deaths of Lord Stanley of Alderley and Mr. W. S. Caine, the memory of whose services the people of India will always cherish with gratitude. That this Congress also wishes to place on record its deep regret at the death of the Raja of Ramnad, who has always been a distinguished benefactor of the Congress. Public Service II. («) That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, again records its deep regret that the labours of the Public Service Commission have practically proved void of any good result to the people of this country ; that while the recommendations of the Commission did not secure full justice to the claims of the people of the country to larger and more extended employment in the higher grades of the Public Sei'vice, the Government have not even carried them out in their integrity, and have not extended the principle of appointing Indians to new appointments since created from time to time, and in Special Departments such as the Salt, Oi)iuni, Medical and Police Depart- ments, the Survey Deportment of the Government of India, the Government Telegrai)h Department, the Indo-British Telegraph Department, the Mint Dejtartment, the Postal Dejiartment, and the Foriugn Departuicnt. (h) That in the opinion of this Congress the recent policy of the heads of de])artments and of the authorities responsible for Railway administrations proscribing the ap])ointment of Indians in the Public and the Railway Services is a grave violation of the pledges and assurances given by the Government. IHE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 387 (c) That in the opinion of this Congress in oi'der to arrest the economic drain that is caused by the present system of appoint- ments by the Government, to secure to the people of the country the invaluable benefit of the experience and knowledge which a training in the Public Service affords, and to introduce economy in the administration, a policy of free employment of the Natives of the soil in all branches of the Service, is imperatively demanded. Permanent Settlement III. That this Congress views with alarm the tendency to in- crease the land revenue assessment every time there is a revision, and declares its firm conviction that the policy of raising the assess- ment so frequently and so heavily is increasing the poverty of the agricultural population of this country and rendering them still further unfit to withstand the periodical visitations of bad seasons and fanunes than they are now. This Congress, therefore, prays that the Permanent Settlement be extended to such parts of the country as are now ripe for it, as laid down in the Secretary of State for India's despatches of 1862 and 1867 on the subject ; and that Settlements for longer periods be made, and judicial and legis- lative restrictions on over-assessments be imposed, in those parts of India where Government naay still deem it inadvisable to extend the Permanent Settlement. Indians in the Colonies IV. That this Congress views with grave concern and regret the hard lot of His Majesty's Indian subjects living in British Colonies in South Africa, Australia and elsewhere, the great hardshijis and disabilities to which they arc subjected by the Colonial Governments, and the consequent degradation of their status and rights as subjects of the King, and protests against the treatment of Indians by the Colonies as backward and uncivilised races ; and it prays that, in view of the great part the Indian settlers have played in the development of the Colonies and the economic advantages which have resulted both to India and to the Colonies from their emigration to and stay in the latter, the Government of India will be pleased to ensure to them all the rights and privileges of British citizenship in common with the European subjects of His Majesty, by enforcing, if necessary, such measui'es as will render it imjjossible for the Colonies to secure Indian immi- grants except on fair, equitable and honourable terms ; and that in view to the great importance of the principle of ecjual treatment to all His Majesty's subjects, His Majesty's Government should devise adequate measures to ensure that position to Indian emigrants in all the British Colonies. Education V. That this Congress, while welcoming any wisely con- sidered scheme for the reform of the educational policy of 388 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Government, is of ojDinion that the Universities Bill, if passed into law, will have, as recommended in tlie report of the Universities Commission, the effect of restricting the area of education and completely destroying the independence of the Universities upon which largely depend their efficiency and usefulness, and of turning them practically into departments of Government. That this Congress is of opinion that the provisions of the Bill will not remove the shortcomings of the present system of higher education but that provision for funds and improvement in the standard of teaching by the agency of a superior class of teachers are imperatively needed in the interests of higher education. That tliis Congress ])rays for the following modifications : (/f) That each University should be dealt with by a separate Act. (h) That in the case of the older Universities the number of ordinary Fellows should not bo less than 200, of whom at least 80 sliould be elected by registered graduates and 20 by the members of the Faculties, and that, in the case of the Universities of Allaha- bad and of the Panjab, a similar provision should be made. (c) That the ordinary Fellows slnnild hold office as at ])resent for life, but should be liable to disqualification for absence during a fixed jicriod. ((/) That the provision of a statutory proportion for the heads of Colleges on the Syndicate be omitted. (fi) That all graduates of ten years' standing in a Faculty be declared eligible to vote. (/) That the section making it obligatory upon Colleges which a])}ilj' for affiliation or have been affiliated to provide for suitable residential quarters for students and professors and for the permanent maintenance of the Colleges be omittt^l. (;/) That as regards affiliation and disaffiliation tiie decision should, instead of being tiie direct act of Government as under the liiil, b(! as at ]n-(^scnt. the ai't of the Universit}', subject to the sanction of Government. (h) That as regiu-ds the insjiection of Colleges it should be conducted by ])ersons si)ecially appointed by the Syndicate, unconnected witli the Government Educational Department or any aided oi' unaided College. (/) That the jiower of ninking bye-laws and regulations should as at i)rescnt be vested in the Senate, subject to tiie sanction of (he Government. THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 389 Coercion Official Secrets Bill VI. That this Congress views with entire disapproval the Official Secrets Bill now before the Supreme Legislative Council inasmuch as it is uncalled for, against the interests of the public, dangerous to individual liberty and retrograde in policy, and prays that the Government of India may be pleased to confine its scope to the disclosure of Naval and Military secrets Military VII. (a) That this Congi-ess reiterates its opinion that the scope of the measures, which have been undertaken from time to time for increasing the army in India, for armaments and fortifications with a view to the security of India, not against domestic enemies, or against the incursions of warlike peoples of adjoining countries, but to maintain the supremacy of British Power in the East, and on which millions of Indian money have been spent, reach far beyond the Indian limits in that the policy that has dictated these measures is an Imperial policy ; and that, therefore, the Indian Army Charges, which not only include the cost of the native army but also that of the British forces amounting to about one-third of the whole British army which, foimis the Imperial Garrison in India, are excessive and unjust, especially having regard to the fact that the Colonies which, are equally dependent upon and indebted to the mother-country for their protection, contribute little or nothing towards the Imperial military expenditure. (b) That inasmuch as lai-ge bodies of British troops have with perfect safety and without imperilling the peace of the country, been withdrawn for Service outside the statutory limits of India, this Congress is of opinion, that the Indian tax-payers should be gi-anted substantial relief out the British Exchequer towards the cost of maintaining in India the present strength of the European army. ((■) That this Congress pi'otests most emphaticallj^ against the manner in which the Indian revenues have been charged with £786,300 per annum for the increased cost of the recruitment of the British army, in spite of the Viceroy of India and his Council having strongly condemned such a charge as being injurious to Indian interests, and as calculated to retard many urgent ineasures of domestic reform now under contemplation or in course of initiation. (d) That this Congress reitei-ates its conviction that inasmuch as the army amalgamation of 1859 has all along been the cause of a considerable portion of the unjust aud excessive burden of Indian 31 390 HOW INDIA WROUGHT i^OR FREEDOM military oxponditure, the time has come when steps shouUl be taken to have that system wliolly abolished. Thanks of Congress VIII. That this Conofress tenders its tlianks to the Government of India for the i-elief granted to the poorei' classes of the country by the reduction of the Salt-Tax and by raising the assessable minimum for Income-Tax, and prays that the Government of India be pleased to make a futher reduction in the Salt-Tax. XII. That this Congress tenders its thanks to the Govern- ment of India for the introduction of the Co-operative Credit Societies' Bill into the Viceregal Legislative Council, and trusts that the measure may be so enacted as to achieve the objects the Government has in view. [And see XIV] Partitions IX. That this Congress views witli deep concern the present policy of the Government of India in breaking up territorial divisions w^hich have been of long standing and are closely united by ethnological, legislative, social and administrative relations, and deprecates the separation from Bengal of Dacca, Mjnnensingh, Chittagong Divisions and portions of Chota Nagpur Division, and also the separation of the District of Ganjam and the agency tracts of the Ganjam anci Vizagapatam Districts from the Madras Presidency. Madras Municipality X. That this Congress is of opinion that the policy of the Madras Municipal Bill, now before the local Legislative Council, is not in consonance with the principles of local Self-Government in India laid down in the time of Lord Ripon, and it desires to point out that the interests of the rate-paj-crs of the City would not be adequately served by a lesser representation than that of twenty-four members. That, if the elective franchise is to be given to associations and institutions, it is of opinion that the institutions and associations should be such as possess a direct interest in the administration of the Municipal affairs of the City, and that the number assigned to tliem should be very limited. That the Madras Railway' and the Port Trust are not bodies to whom such re]iresentatio7i should be .issigned, but that it should be extended only, if at all, to bodies like the Chamber of Commerce, the Traders Association, and the Universitj', by giving each of them the power of returning one member. THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS 391 Parliamentary Representation XI. That this Congress desires to accord its most cordial support to the candidatui-e of Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji for North Lambeth, Mr. W. C. Bannerji for Walthamstow, Sir Henry Cotton for Nottingham, and Sir John Jardine for Roxburghshire, and appeals to the electors of these constituencies that, iu the interests of the people of India, they ■will be pleased to return them to Parliament, so that they may not only loyally serve them, but represent in some manner the people of a country which, though a part of the British Empire, has no direct rei^resentative in the British Parliament. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions XIII. That this Congress concurs with previous Congresses in strongly advocating : [1902 ('')~(j)]- (k) That the necessity is urgent for the complete separation of Executive and Judicial functions, so that in no case shall the two functions be combined in the same officer ; (?) That the simultaneous holding in India and in England of all examinations for all Civil branches of the Public Service in India, at i^resent held only in India, should be conceded ; (»() That an enquiiy into the economic condition of the Indian ryot, as urged by the members of the Famine Union in England, in their appeal to the Secretary of State for India, should be instituted. Thanks of Congress and Congress Work XIV. That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderburn and the other members of tlie British Committee its most grateful thanks for their disinterested services in the cause of oiu* political advancement. And that a sum of Rs. 10,500 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee, and that the several Congress circles do contribute the amount allotted to each. That the following gentlemen be appointed Secretaries for the Circles against which their names apijear and be responsible for the sums due by the respective Circles, and that the money be paid in advance in two half-yearly instalments : Bengal : Bombay : Babu Surendranath Bannerji. Hon. Mr. P. M. Mehta. Babu Baikunthanath Sen. Mr. D. E. Wacha. Hon. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu. Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale. 392 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM Madras Hon. Mr. G. Srinivasa Rao. Hon. Mr. Vasudcva Iyengar. Mr. V. Ryru Nambier. Mr. G. Raghava Rao, Berhampur. Berar and the Central Provinces : Mr. R.N. Mudholkar. N. W. Provinces & Oudh : Hon. Pandit M. M. Malaviya. Mr. Ganga Prasad Vanna. Mr. S. Sinha. Cawnpore : Mr. Prithwinath Pandit. Pan JAB Mr. Harkishan Lai. Formal XV. That this Congress re-apijoints Mr. A. O. Hume, C. B., to be General Secretary, and Mr. D. E. Wacha to be Joint General Secretary, and appoints the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale as additional Joint General Secretary for the ensuing year. XVI. That the Twentieth Indian National Congress do assemble, on such day after Christmas Day, 1904, as may be later determined upon, at Bombay. CHAPTER XX The Twentieth National Congress, closing the second decade of this powerful organisation met in Bombay on the 26th, 27th and 28th of December, 1904, in a large Pavilion on the Crescent Site. The Congress met under the gloom created by Lord Curzon's policy, rightly characterised in the Official Report of the Congress as " repressive and re-actionary " ; there had grown up a feeling of deep resentment. . . . when a series of repressive measures — both letjislative and administrative — were forced by him on the country in the teeth of the fiercest opposition from the public Long before the Con- gress of last year met, it had come to be very generally recognised that whatever may be said in favour of Lord Curzon's administration, the educated classes of the country, at any rate, had in him no friend, and that their aspirations would receive at his hands not merely cold neglect, but actual repression. . . The situation made the Congress of 1904 one of unusual importance. The gathering was the largest since 1895, 1010 delegates registering their names. They were divided as follows : Bombay (548), Sindh (44), Kathiawar (26) 618 C. P., Berar, Secunderabad and Hyderabad 104 Madras 104 Bengal (99) and Assam (3) 102 U. P 54 Pan jab ... ... ... ... ... 28 1,010 394 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM The Hon. Sir Pherozeshah M. Melita, who had received the K.C.I. E., the Chairman of the Reception Committee, after asking a choir of ladies to sing the Congress Anthem, warmly welcomed the dele- gates, and congratnlated them on the presence of Sir William Wedderburn and Mr. Samuel Smith, M.P. The Congress voiced once in each year the public opinion of the country, and the surest testimony to its value was the very policy of reaction and retro- gression which it provoked. Tlie possession of India was " a blessing to England if administered in the spirit of righteousness, a curse if in the seductive spirit of worldliness ". On the whole, England had chosen wisely and well, but Avhile many grievances — which take more than a page of the Report to enumerate — continue, there would be " two parties about England in India". Political agitation there would be. The only question is whether we should suppress and bottle up our feelings, and hopes, and aspirations and our grievances in the innermost recesses of our own hearts, in the secret conclaves of our own brethren, or deal with them in the free light of open day. The former course would be preferred by the prophets of despair. We, gentlemen, prefer the latter, because we have faith in the ultimate wisdom, beneficence and righteousness of the English people. Mr. Sarendranath Bannerji proposed Sir Henry Cotton as President, focussing in a few eloquent sentences his great services to India. Mr. C. Sankaran Nair seconded, Pnndit Madan Mohan Malaviya supported, and Sir Henry Cotton took the Chair amid loud cheers. A gift for the Congress of Rs. 4,000, collected by The Crujartii i, and a handsome silver THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 395 salver were presented to Sir Henry by its Editor, Mr. I. S. Desai. After thanking the Congress for the honour done to him, the President said that the Congress was " the voice and brain of the country," that the work of educating the country was carried on by other agencies, and that the function of the Congress was " to give united and authoritative expression to views on wdiich there is ah'eady a consensus of opinion in the covmtry ". The public opinion of England needed to be moved. Internal agitation in Ireland was the necessary stepping'-stone of reform, but by itself it accomplished little ; it was only when Irish agitation forced itself upon English Liberal statesmen, and was supplemented by a powerful phalanx of opinion in England, that any concessions were allowed to the sister island. And so it is in the case of India. The remedy for both countries is the same. After noting the growth of National feeling', Sir Henry Cotton quoted with approval the words of the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, words which some officials in Bombay would certainly consider seditious now, except perhaps if they knew it was a quotation : he spoke in the freer days of 1850 : I conceive that the administration of all the depart- ments of a great country by a small number of foreign visitors, in a state of isolation produced by a difference in religion, ideas and manners, which cuts them olf from all intimate communion with the people, can never be con- templated as a permanent state of things. I conceive, also, that the progress of education among the Natives renders such a scheme impracticable, even if it were other- wise free from objection. 396 HOW INDIA WEOUaHT FOE FREEDOM " Every thinking man/^ added Sir Henry, " must know that these words are true," and the connection between India and England would last. Lord Cromer had said the same, and had declared that the Government must adapt their system to the changes taking place in educated Indians, " if they do not wish to see it shattered by forces which they have themselves called into being, but which they have failed to guide and control ". Sir Henry bade his hearers avoid depression, and not to submit with resignation to the policy of the Government, and he held up, as the ideal, India taking rank as a Nation among the Nations of the East. Autonomy is the key-note of England's true re- lations with her Colonies, and " the key-note also of India's destiny ". " Complete autonomous States which are federated together and attached by com- mon motives and self-interest to a central Power," such was " the tendency of Empire ". The ideal for India was " a Federation of free and separate States, the United States of India ". The President then dealt with the economic prob- lem, condemned the " drain " and the exploitation of the country by English capital, urged the sub- stitution of Indian for European officials, and the reconstitution of the Indian Civil Service, with other special reforms, protested against the Partition of Bengal, and the treatment of Indians in the Transvaal, and concluded by bidding his hearers labour with hope and courage in the cause they had embraced. THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 397 The strong and outspoken discourse aroused the greatest enthusiasm^ and was closed amid vociferous applause. The Subjects Committee was approved, and the Congress adjourned. On the second day, Mr. Surendranath Bannerji brought forward Resolution I, which dealt with Indians in the Public Service, saying that it was extraordinary that, 150 years after the birth of British rule in India, they should be obliged to protest against a policy " inconsistent with the great tradi- tions of the British rule in the East, and with the honour of the British name in this country ". The promises made had only been eluded until now, but by Lord Curzon's Resolution of 24th May, 1904, they were openly repudiated, and, by a bitter irony, on the birthday of the Queen, whose Proclamation was set at naught. " Under the new policy, race is the test of qualification. Under the old policy, merit was the test of qualification." The reactionary policy of Lord Curzon tore up the Proclamation of the Queen. Lord Curzon from his place in the Imperial Council (1 am quoting the substance of what he said), declared that by our environments, our heritao'e and our up-bring- ing we ai'e unequal to the responsibilities of a high office under tlie British rule. I venture to say. Sir, that never was a deeper affront offered to the people of India by the representative of the Sovereign. It is bad enough to repudiate the Proclamation, but it is adding insult to injury to cast a slur upon the people of this country. In your name and on your behalf. Gentlemen, I desire to record my most emphatic protest against this assumption of our racial inferiority. Are Asiatics inferior to Europeans ? Let Japan answer. Are Indians inferior to Europeans ? Let Lord George Hamilton answer, and 398 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Lord George Hamilton is not a friend of the people of this country. Gentlemen, are we the representatives of an inferior race, we, who are the descendants of those who, in the modern world, while all Europe was steeped in superstition and ignorance, held aloft the torch of civilisation ? Are we the representatives of an inferior race, from whose shores, forsooth, went forth those missionaries who have converted two-thirds of the human race into moral superiority ? Mr. Bannerji then gave a number of figures, showing the percentage of Indians in the Service, pointed to the fact that they had 14 per cent of em- ployments carrying Rs. 1,000 and upwards, and 17 per cent of employments carrying Rs. 500 and up- wards. " Only 14 or 17 per cent of the higher appointments fall to our lot, although the country is ours, the money is ours, and the bulk of the population is ours." Then followed some stinging comparisons between the position of Asiatics in India and in other countries under white rule, and he once more appealed to the pledges given in the Proclamation of the Queen. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer seconded, and remarked that Indians were Avorse off than in 1833, and that while Lord Lytton broke the Queen's promises by what he called "subterfuges," Lord Curzon openly said that the principles and policy of British rule in India were not those laid down in the Queen's Pro- clamation of 1858. We must hold to the liberties and ]3rivileges conferred on us by statute also, and " hold them in such a way that not only the English Nation but the whole world will say that India should be free ". THE TWENTIETH CONGEESS 399 In supporting the Resolution, the Hon. Mr. Krish- nan Nair gave a historical sketch, showing how much more equal was the treatment of Indians in the past than under Lord Curzon. Mr. Gr. Abdul Kasim spoke on Muhammadan agreement. Mr. Hussain Badruddin Tyabji brought more statistics proving the injustice under which Indians suffered. The Resolu- tion was then carried. Resolution II urged the claims of Higher Education and thanked the Government for aiding Primary Education. India needed manual training and the esta- blishment of Polytechnics. Mr. D. G. Padhya moved it, and Mr. R. P. Karandikar seconded, pointing to the splendid example set by Japan.. He pressed the need for agricultural training, and quoted Mr. Arthur Balfour's speech on Ireland, pointing out how '^one by one each of lier nascent industries was either strangled at its birth or handed over gagged and bound to the jealous custody of the rival interest in England, until at last every fountain of wealth was hermetically sealed," so that the whole Nation threw itself on the land. Dr. H. S. Gour followed, condemning the Universities Act, which sealed up the portals of knowledge " with golden locks which would open only to golden keys ". Lord Curzon would " make edu- cation the privilege of the rich and not the birthi'ight of the poor ". We are told that an oriental people should be governed in the oriental way, but if so, oriental Kings gave education free. Mr. C. Y. Chintamani said that Lord Curzon asked us to consider education apart from political and 400 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM other questions, but that was impossible, for, as Mr. Morley had said, the questions of education " touch the moral life and death of Nations ". Lord Curzon's educational measures were political, and he was swayed in them mainly by political considerations. A section of educated Indians was found inconvenient, and the}" were to be politely suppressed. The Govern- ment sent out circulars introducing the new policy by instalments while the public were discussing the Report and they believed it to be under consideration. The Senates, now the Act was passed, had been Europeanised and officialised, and under the word " efficiency " the Indian and non-official element was suppressed. Mr. G. A. Natesan complained of the " policy of distrust and retrogression," and gave fi.gures to show that in five years 6,223 graduates had been produced, 1,242 a year out of a population of 800 millions ! The Resolution was carried. Resolution III, on the " deplorable poverty of the people " and suggesting remedies, was moved by Mr. R. N. Mudholkar, who compared the state of the people, " on the whole sound," with the necessaries and comforts of life, and exporting a large amount of merchandise, " when there was nothing but anarchy and misrule in tliis land," with the present poverty, where the liigliest figure, Jjord Curzon's, was Rs 30 per head per year, or one and a half annas (lid.) a day, out of which Rs. 3i was paid in taxation. He showed how Indian manufactures had been killed by the East India Company and the Government by prohibitive duties, and the industrial population was THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 4'01 forced on to the land, making ag'riculture the staple industry. He then dealt with land assessment, with the efforts to introduce the mill industries, and the action of Lord Salisbury, who " directed that steps should be taken to protect the British manufacturers against the competition of the Indian manufacturers ". The result of the whole policy was the poverty of the Indian masses. The Hon. Mr. L. A. Govindaraghava Iyer seconded the Resolution, dealing with the necessity for Permanent Settlement and for a judicial check on taxation of improvements made by the ryot. The Resolution was supported by the Hon. Mr. Gr. K. Parekh, Messrs. R. V. Mahajani, K. Natarajan, Maneckji K. Patel, and carried. Resolution ly, in view of the alarming indebtedness of the peasantry, repeated the request of the previous Congress for an enquiry into the condition of a few typical villages. It was moved by the Hon. Mr. H. S. Dixit, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Y. C. Desika- chari, supported by Rai Parvatishankar Choudhuri, Dr. Joseph Benjamin, and carried. Resolution V brought up once more the condition of Indians in the Colonies, and Messrs. Madanjit and Baroacha told the oft-repeated story of South African sufferings, from their own experiences, and Dr. Munji, from his experience as a Civil Surgeon in the Boer War, added his testimony. The carrying of the Resolution closed the second day's work. On the third day, the President moved from the Chair Resolution VI, expressing the sorrow of the 32 402 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Congress for the deaths of Mr. J. N. Tata and of that true friend of India, William Digby. He then called on Sir William Wedderburn to move an important Resolution (No. XV) out of its order, desiring that as a General Election was approach- ing in England a deputation should be sent from India to bring the claims of India before the electors and the candidates. He urged two special points as of primary importance : the revival of the old custom of an enquiry into the state of India every 20 years, and the placing of the salary of the Secretary of State for India on the British Estimates, Mr. B. G. Tilak seconded, and urged that an agitation must be made in England, for there the judges sit who would decide our case, and as the Government of India was impervious, they must reach the English people, and there should be a permanent political mission in England. Mr. S. Sinha, in supporting, laid stress upon the importance of the English becoming personally acquainted with Indians. The Resolution was carried. Sir Balchandra Krishna moved the seventh Re- solution, asking that the cost of the Secretary of State for India should be ])laced on the British Estimates. 1'he Colonies had their Secretary and their oHice free ; India paid nearly 34 lakhs of rupees for hers. The Hon. Mr. G. Srinivasa Rao seconded, Mr. M. K. Padliya supported; he urged that the Secretary of State was responsible to no one — not to the Indian people who ])aid liiin, not to the House of Commons because it did not pay him. The Resolu- tion was carried. THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 403 Resolution VIII dealt with the artificial surpluses, raised largely by the appreciation of the rupee, and urged reduction of taxation and the devotion of part of the accumulated funds to Education, Medical Relief, and the helping of Local and Municipal Boards. It was moved by Mr. G. K. Gokhale, who remarked on the extraordinary surpluses during the last six years, amounting to 30 crores of rupees, and asked how these arose. He showed that they arose from the value of the rupee being enhanced, so that raising the money Avanted for the foreign charges in silver and paying in gold, the Indian Government saved some 5 crores of rupees a year. The high level of taxation was unfair and should be lowered, and the money gained by over-taxation returned to the people on the lines suggested. Dewan Bahadur Ambalal Sakarlal Desai seconded, and pressed the return of the needlessly high surpluses to the people. Mr. G. Subramania Iyer follow- ed and remarked that Sir Antony MacDonnell had said before the Currency Committee that the enhancement of the value of the rupee would be a new burden on the people, but he said that it was safe to add it, because the people of India did not know it would operate in that way, while an addition to direct taxation was dangerous and impolitic. The poor who have suffered most by the forced apprecia- tion should benefit by the surpluses created. The Resolution was carried. Resolution IX claimed enlarged representation, and was moved by Mr. V. Krishnaswami Iyer, who 404 HOW IKDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM referred to the enlargement of the Councils in 1892, and the power then given to discuss the Budget ; but the Budget having been settled before the discussion, the members had only to state their opinions and read their little essays, the discussion being a farce. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya seconded, and said the reforms were good as far as they went, but more power should be given to the Councils and they should be enlarged. Would not the Government show a little more trust in the Indian people ? " We have our minds imbued with the ideas of freedom through a body of English literature .... In our own country we are anxious to feel that we are really a part and parcel of the great British Empire which we love because of its love of freedom." Mr. Jehangir B. Petit followed, pointing out that educated Indians had shown themselves worthy of fuller representation and power, enumerating the results, beneficial to the country, that they had brought about. They had justified themselves by their achievements. It would be a proud day for England Avhen she gave to India "the inestimable boon of Self-Government, to which all human beings have a birth-right and which is long overdue ". Tlie Resolution was carried. Resolution X was on Tibetan affairs and the Forward Policy, that fruitful source of waste of life and treasure. It was moved by Mr. N. A. Wadia, who remarked that they were struggling '•' to main- tain the small modicum of constitutional privilege conceded by Parliament nearly 50 years ago ". He THE TWENTIETH CONGEESS 405 condemned the policy whicli went beyond the Indian borders : the brave peasants of Tibet fought for the freedom of their soil from the foot of the foreigner, " with a patriotism as pure, with love of independence as tenacious, with contempt for danger and for death as admirable as any recorded in ancient or modern annals ". The speaker proceeded with a powerfully reasoned argument against Lord Curzon's mischievous missions, and urged that the employment of Indian troops outside India without the consent of Parlia- ment was illegal. Lala Murlidhar seconded, Mr. N, B. Ranade supported, and the Resolution was carried. Police Reform came up once more in Resolution XI, and was moved by Mr. Vijayakumar Bose, seconded by Mr. Sris Chandra Sarbadhikari, supported by Mr. V. G. Joshi, and carried. Resolution XII on Military Expenditure was very briefly moved and seconded by Messrs. N. M. Samarth, and G. R. Abhyankar, and carried. Then followed the separation of Judicial and Executive functions as Resolution XIII, moved, seconded and sup- ported by Messrs. Harischandra Rai Vishandas, N. K. Ramaswami Iyer, and Kaliprasanna Roy, and carried. Resolution XIV, on the Partition of Bengal, was moved by the Hon. Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, seconded by Mr. A. Choudhuri, and supported by Mr. Binai Kumar Rai, and the Hon. Baikunthanath Sen, Bengali gentlemen, who all felt too strongly to do more than speak a few sentences. It was carried 406 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM after a brief expression of sympathy from Mr. R. N. Mudholkar . Mr. S. Sinha moved Resolution XVI, urging the election to Parliament of Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Henry Cotton and Mr. John Jardine in the interests of India. Mr. V. P. Vaidya seconded and it was carried. Mr. D. E. Wacha moved, and the Hon. Mr. D. N. Bose seconded Resolution XVI, the annual vote of thanks to Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committee. The President then moved Resolution XVIII re-appointing Mr. A. 0. Hume, Mr. D. E. Wacha, and the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale as General and Joint General Secretaries. He also moved Re- solution XIX, appointing a Committee to report by the 1st of July, 1905, on the question of the con- stitution of the Congress. Resolution XX fixed Benares for the Congress of 1905. Resolutions XXI and XXII thanked the Reception Committee and the President, and Sir Henry Cotton, answering with a few words of grateful thanks, brought the Twentieth National Congress to an end. RESOLUTIONS Employ rrent of Indians in the Public Service I. (ft) Tliiit ill the opinion of this Congress, tlie principles and j)olicy enunciated by the (lOvcrnment of India in their Resolution, dated 24tli May 190-4, on the subject of the employment of Indians in the higher grades of the Public Service, are inconsistent with those laid down in the Parliamentary Statute of 1833 and the Proclamation of 1858 by the late Queen-Empress, and this Congress enters its res])ectful but emphatic protest against an attempt to explain away pledges sole tiinl^' given by the Sovereign and Parliament to the jieople of this country, and to deviate from arrangements deliberately arrived at by the Government after a careful examination of the whole question by a Public Commission. THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 407 {b) That this Congress is of opinion that the true remedy for many existing financial and administrative evils lies in the wider employment of Indians in the higher branches of the country's service ; and while concurring with previous Congresses in urging that immediate eifect should be given; to the Resolution of the House of Commons of 2nd Jime, 1893, in favour of holding the competitive examinations for service in India simultaneously in England and in India, this Congress places on record its firm conviction that the only satisfactory solution of this question is to be found in the reorganisation of the Indian Civil Service, which should be reconstituted on a decentralised basis, its, judicial functions in the meantime being partly transfei-red to persons who have been trained in the profession of haw. (c) That this Congress deplores the abolition of the competitive test for the Provincial Service in most Provinces of India. Past experience has amply established the fact that a system of Government nomination degenerates, in the special circumstances of this country, into a system of appointment by ofHcial favour, and this, by bringing iinfit men into the Service, impairs the efficiency of the administration, and in addition unfairly discredits the fitness of Indians for high office. This Congress, therefore, respectfully urges the Government of India to restore the competitive test for the Provincial Service, wherever it has been abolished. Education II. That this Congress, while thanking the Government of India for the increased outlay on Primary Education, promised in their Resolution of March last, and for the institution of ten Technical scholarships for the study of technical arts and industries in foreign countries, repeats its protest of last year against the retrograde policy adopted by Government in regard to Higher Education, as calculated to officialise the governing bodies of the Universities and to restrict the scope of University Education generally ; and the Congress places on record its emphatic opinion that in view of the large surpluses which the Government are now realising year after j^ear, it is their clear duty to make a much larger allotment than at present out of public funds for educational expenditure so as («) to spread primary education more widely among the mass of the people, and to make a beginning in the direction of free and compulsory education ; (b) to make due provision for im2Darting instruction in manual training and in scientific agriculture ; (c) to provide for the better manning and equipment of Government Colleges and High Schools so as to make them really model institutions ; 408 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (d) to establish at least one central fully-equipped Polytechnic Institute in the country, with minor Technical Schools and Colleges in different Provinces. Economic Situation III. That this Congress is of opinion that the deplorable poverty of the people of this country is mainly due to the drain of M^ealth from the country that has gone on for years, to the docaj^ of indigenous arts and industries, to over-assessment of land, and to the excessively costly character of the system of administration. And the Congress recommends the following among other remedial measures : (a) That Government be pleased to afford greatei encouragements to education, as indicated in the pi-evious resolution. (h) That the Permanent Settlement be extended to such parts of tlie country as are now ripe for it, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Secretary of State for India's Des- patches of 1862 and 1867 on the subject; and that M'here Govern- ment may still deem it inadvisable to introduce the Permanent Settlement, judicial restrictions be imposed on over-assessment. (c) That steps be taken to employ a much larger number of Indians in the higher branches of the Public Service. Indebtedness of the Peasantry IV. Resolved — That in view of the alarming indebtedness of the peasantry of the country and of the fact that large numbers of them are forced to throw themselves on State help at the first touch of scarcitj^ this Congress again earnestly endorses the suggestion put forward by the Famine Union in London that a careful inquiry be directed by Govemnient iTito the condition of a few typical villages in different parts of India. Indian Bmigrants to British Colonies V. (a) That the Congress, while noting with satisfaction the relaxation of restrictions recently ordered by the Government of the Australian Commonwealth in the case of Indian visitors to Australia, ])laces on record its deep regret that Indian Settlers — subjects of His Majesty the King-Emperor— -should continue to be subjected to harassing restrictions and denied the ordinary rights of British citizenship in His Majesty's Colonies. (h) In particular, this Congress records its most emphatic protest against the threatened enforcement, in an aggravated form, of the anti-Indian legislation of the late Boer Government of the Transvaal by the British Government. In view of the fact that one of the declared causes of the recent Boer War was the treatment meted out to the Indian subjects of the King-Emperor by the THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 409 Govei'nment of that Republic, and in view also of the admitted loyalty of Indian Settlers in South Africa and the great help rendered by them during the War, this Congress fervently prays that the British Parliament will insist on a just and equal treatment being secured to Indian settlers in that Crown Colony. (c) In this connection the Congress tenders its sincere thanks to the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India for their firm stand in the interests of Indian emigrants, and the Congress earnestly trusts that they will not relax their efforts in the matter till a satisfactory solution is reached. Deaths of Mr. J, N. Tata and Mr. W. Digby VI. That this Congress places on record its sense of profound sorrow at the death of Mr. J. N. Tata, whose great services to the industrial development of India ns also his enlightened philan- thropy and patriotism the country will gratefully reniember. This Congress also i-ecords its deep grief at the death of Mr. William Digby, in whom the people of India liave lost an earnest and devoted champion of their cause. Secretary of State's Salary VII. That this Congress, while protesting against the injustice of charging the cost of the India Office in London to the revenues of this countrj^ when the Colonies are exempted from any share of the cost of the Colonial Office, places on record its opinion that the whole of tho salary of the Secretary of State for India should be borne on the English Estimates. Surpluses VIII. (a) That, in the opinion of this Congress, the large and recurring surpluses of the last six years — amounting in all to about twenty millions sterling — so far from being the result of any increased pi-osperity of the people, ai-e only an indication of the fact that the level of taxation in the country is maintained much higher than is necessary', inasmuch hs these surpluses have been rendered possible mainly, if not exclusively, by the artificial appreciation of the rupee, and the consequent saving of between three and four millions a year on the Home remittances of the Government of India. (h) That both for the sake of giving relief to the classes which have suffered most from the currency policy of the Government and to remove from the path of Government a direct teniistatiou to in- crease expenditure, which the existence of large surpluses year after year undoubtedly constitutes, this Congress strongly urges (1) a further reduction in the salt duty; (2) a reduction in the land revenue demand of the State in those Provinces where the agriculturists 410 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM have had a series of calamitous years ; and (3) tlio abolition of the excise duties on cotton goods. (c) That till such reduction is effected, the Congress urges that part of the surpluses be devoted to purposes which would directly benefit the people, such as the promotion of scientific, agricultural, and industrial education, and increased facilities of Medical relief, and that the rest be employed in assisting Local and Municipal Boards, whose i-esources have been seriously crippled by famine and by the annual recurrence of plague, to undertake urgently-needed measures of sanitary reform and the improvement of means of communication in the interior. Representation IX. That in the opinion of the Congress, the time has arrived when the people of this country should be allowed a larger voice in the administration and control of the affair of their country by (a) The bestowal on each Province or Presidency of India of the franchise to return at least two members to the English House of Commons. (6) An enlargement of both the Supreme and Provincial Legislative Councils — increasing the number of non-otticial members therein, and giving them the right to divide the Council in all financial matters coming before tliem— the Head of the Government concerned possessing the power of veto. (c) The appointment of Indian re])resentatives (who shall be nominated by the elected members of the Legislative Councils) as Members of the India Council in London and of the Executive Councils of the Government of India and the Governments of Bombay and Madras. Tibetan Affairs and For-w^rd Policy X. That this Congress expresses its profound regret that in the case of the recent Tibetan Expedition the object of the Act of 1858, in providing that India's revenues shall not be spent outside the Statutory limits of India, except to repel foreign aggression, without the previous sanction of Parliament, was frustrated in practice by the Government continuing to describe the Expedition as a " Political Mission," till it was no longer possible for Parlia- ment to withhold its sanction to the required expenditure, and tliat Indian revenues wei-c thus unjustifiably deprived of the protection constitutionally secured to them. This Congress further ])laces on record its regret that the House of Commons refused to contribute from the Imperial Exchequer even a portion of the cost of that Expedition, when it was in furtherance of Imperial interests and to carry out an Imperial policy that the Expedition had been undertaken. THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS 411 The Congress protests strongly against this injustice and all the more because it apprehends that the Tibetan Expedition was but part of a general forward policy, which, with the Missions to Afghanistan and Persia, threatens to involve India in foreign entanglements, which cannot fail to place an intolerable burden on the Indian revenues and prove in the end disastrous to the best interests of the country. Police Reform XI. This Congress places on record its deep regret that the Report of the Police Commission has still been withheld by the Government from the public, though it is now two years since the Commission reported, and though portions of it have found their waj into the colunins of papers beyond the reach of the Official Secrets' Act. In view of the great urgency of a thorough reform of the Police force of the country, in view further of the large public interests involved in a satisfactory solution of the question and the obvious necessity in consequence of giving the public ample opportunity to express its views before the authorities proceed to formulate a scheme of reform, in view, finally, of the fact that all public criticism expressed after the subject has been considered by both the Government of India and the Secretar3^ of State for India is bound to be virtually ineifective, this Congress earnestly urges the publication of the Commission's Report without any further delay. Military Expenditure XII. (a) That this Congress regards with grave alarm the heavy and continuous increase that has been taking place year after year in the Military burdens of the country and that in the opinion of this Congress the present Military Expenditure of India is beyond her capacity to bear. (b) That the Congress can only contemplate with dismay all further proposals to throw fresh burdens on the revenues of India in connection with Army expenditure, and it enters its earnest protest against throwing the cost of the pi-oposed Army reorganisa- tion scheme of Lord Kitchener on the Indian Exchequer. (c) That as the strength of the Army maintained in India and the measui-es that are froin time to time adopted to improve its efficiency are determined, not by a consideration of the military needs and requirements of India, but for upholding British Supremacy in the East, as moreover, large bodies of British troops have, in recent years, been temporarily withdrawn, with perfect safety and without imperilling the peace of the country, for service outside the statutory limits of India, this Congress is of opinion that the time has come when the British Parliament should seriously 412 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM consider the justice and policy of making a sal)stantial contribution towards Army Charges in India. Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions • XIII. That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State not to delay any longer the Separation of Executive and Judicial Functions in the administration of Criminal Justice, the desirability of which has been frequently admitted by Government and the practicability of effecting which with a very inappreciable increase of expenditui'e, if any, has been repeatedly shown. The Partition of Bengal XIV. That this Congress records its emphatic protest against the proposals of the Government of India, for the Partition of Bengal in any manner whatsoever. That the pi'oposals are viewed with great alarm by the people, as tlie division of the Bengali Nation into sejjarate units will seriously interfere with its social, intellectual and material ]:)rogress, involving the loss of v^arious constitutional, and other rights and privileges which the Province has so long enjoyed and will burden the country with heavy expenditure which the Indian tax-payers cannot at all afford. The Congress is of opinion that no case has been made out for the Partition of Bengal, but if the present constitution of the Bengal Government is considered inadequate for the efficient administra- ti(m of the Province, the remedy lies not in any redistribution of its tei'ritories, but in organic changes in the form of the Govern- ment, such as the conversion of the Lieutenant-Governorship of Bengal into a Governorship with an Executive Council like that of Bombay and Madras. Delegation to England XV. That, looking to the near approach of a General Election in England, and to the vital importance, at this crisis, of bringing the claims of India before the Electors, before the Parliamentary Candidates, and before the political leaders, it is expedient that the Congress should depute trustworthy and experienced represent- atives nominatcid by the different Provinces to be present in England for this purpose, before and during the election ; and that a fund of not less than Rs. 30,000 should be raised to meet the iiocossary ex])Onses of such Deputation. Election cf Members to the British Parliament XVI. That tins Congress desires to accord its most cordial support to the candidatures of Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji for Nortii Lambeth, Sir Henry Cotton for Nottingham, and Sir John Jardine for Roxburglishire, and appeals to the electors of these constituencies THE TWENTIETH CONftRESS 413 that in the interests of the people of India, they will be pleased to return them to Parliament, so that they may not only loyally serve them, but repi'esent in some manner the people of a country which, though a part of the British Empire, has no direct representative in the British Parliament. Thanks to the British Committee XVII. That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderburn and the other members of the British Committee its most grateful thanks for their disinterested services in the cause of our political advancement. And that a sum of £700 be assigned for the expenses of the British Committee and that the several Congress circles do contribute the amount allotted to each. Appointment of General Secretary and Joint General Secretaries XVIIL That this Congress reappoints Mr. A. 0. Hume, C. B., to be General Secretary and Mr. D. E. Wacha and the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale to be Joint General Secretaries of the Congress for the ensuing year. Constitution of the Congress XIX. That the question of the Constitution of the Congress bo referred for report to a Committee consisting of the following gentlemen : Bombay : Pan jab : Sir P.M. Mehta • r , x ■ Mr. D. B. Wacha. ^."^ ''J:''"'''^ ?'''■ Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale. f ''; Dharmadas. Hon. Mr. Ibrahim RahimtuUa. ^^^^ Harkishan Lai. Madras: United Provinces- : Mr. C. Sankaran Nair. Babu Gangaprasad Varma. Mr. Krishnaswami Iyer. Hon. Pandit Madf\n Mohan Mr. M. Viraraghava Chari. Mal.aviya. Nawab Syed Mahomed. ]yjj. g^ Sinha. Bengal : BabuSurendranath Banuerji. Berak and Central Provinces. Hon. Mr. Ambikacharau Mazumdar. Mr. E,. M. Mudholkar. Babu Baikunthanath Sen. Mr. M.V. Joshi. Mr. Abdul Kasim. Mr. M. K. Padhya. 33 414 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM The Kext Session of the Congress XX. That the Twenty-tirst Indian National Congress do assemble, on such daj^ after Christmas Bay, 1905, as may be later determined upon, at Benares. XXI. Thanks to the Eeception Committee and those who have in various ways assisted it. Hy the President. XXII. Thanks to the President. President's reply in closing the proceedings. CHAPTER XXI In the sacred City of Kashi, the modern Benares, the Twenty-first National Congress gathered together. Says the OflScial Report : The Congress met at a great crisis in the political fortunes of this country. Never since the dark days of Lord Lytton's Viceroyalty had India been so distracted, dis- contented, despondent ; the victim of so many misfortunes, political and other ; the tai'get for so much scorn and calumny emanating from the highest quarters — its most moderate demands ridiculed and scouted, its most reason- able prayers greeted with a stiff negative, its noblest aspira- tions spurned and denounced as pure mischief or solemn nonsense, its most cherished ideals hurled down from their pedestal and trodden under foot — never had the condition of India been more critical than it was during the second ill-starred administration of Lord Curzon. The Official Secrets Act was passed in the teeth of universal opposi- tion. It was condemned by the whole Press — Indian and Anglo-Indian — protests from all quarters poured in, but Lord Curzon was implacable, and tlie Gagging Act was passed. Education was crippled and mutilated ; it was made expensive and it was officialised ; and so that most effective instrument for the enslavement of our National interest, the Indian Universities Act, Avas passed, and the policy of checking if not altogether undoing the noble work of Bentinck, Macaulay and Lord Halifax, which for more than half a century has been continued with such happy results to the country, came in full swing. 416 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM On the 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th of December, 1905, 758 delegates gathered on the noble cliff of Rajghar, dominating Gangarnai's rolling flood, and the eye, looking upwards, rested on the great curving bank, the Crescent Moon, crowned with temples and stately dwelling-places. They came thither as follows from : Bengal 209 U. P 203 Pan jab (104) and N. W. F. P. (1) ... 105 C. P. (44), Berar (16) and Secunclerabad (8) 64 Bombay (95) and Sindh (16) 110 Madras (64) and Mysore (1) 65 Burma ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 758 (The list gives 757, but No. 606 is repeated in error.) Munshi Madho Lai was the Chairman of the Reception Committee, and made a ver}^ brief speech of welcome, asking Pandit Bishambharnath to propose the President-elect. Very warm were the words with wliich he proposed and Mr. Romesh Chandra Dutt seconded the Hon. Mr. Gopal Krishna Gokhale; they were followed by Sardar Gurucharan Singh, Mr, R. N. Mudholkar and Mr. G. Subramania Iyer, and then the idol of India took the Presidential chair amid resounding cheers, and delivered one of the most notable speeches to which the Congress had listened during the twenty-one j^ears of its 'existence. Mr, Gokhale remarked that he was called to take charge of the vessel of the Congress with rocks ahead and angry waves beating around, and invoked THE TWENTY-FIEST CONGRESS 417 the Divine guidance. He then, after a few words of homage to the Prince and Princess of Wales, then visiting India, and of respectful welcome to the new Viceroy and Lady Minto, turned to the administration of Lord Curzon, just closed. Stern and scathing was his verdict : Gentlemen, how true it is that to everything there is an end ! Thus even the Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon has come to a close ! For seven long years all eyes had con- stantly to turn to one masterful figure in the land — now in admiration, now in astonishment, more often in anger and in pain, till at last it has become difficult to realise that a change has really come. For a parallel to such an administration, we must, I think, go back to the times of Aurangzebe in the history of our own country. There we find the same attempt at a rule excessively centralised and intensely personal, the same strenuous purpose, the same overpowering consciousness of duty, the same maiwellous capacity for work, the same sense of loneliness, the same persistence in a policy of distrust and repression, resulting in bitter exasperation all round. I think even the most devoted admirer of Lord Curzon cannot claim that he has strengthened the foundations of British rule in India To him India was a country where the Englishman was to monopolise for all time all power, and talk all the while of duty. The Indian's only business was to be governed, and it was a sacrilege on his part to have any other aspiration. In his scheme of things there was no room for the educated classes of the country ; and having failed to amuse them for any lengtli of time by an empty show of taking them into his confidence, he proceeded in the end to repress them. Even in his last farewell speech at the Byculla Club in Bombay, India exists only as a scene of the Englishman's labours, with the toiling millions of the country — eighty per cent of the population — in the background. The remaining twenty per cent, for aught they are worth, might as well be gently swept into the sea ! 418 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. Gokhale tore into shreds the attempt to separate the educated from the uneducated Indians, and pointed out that the suggestion that the former were opposed to the latter was " unreal and ridiculous," and that the useful measures of which Lord Curzon boasted had been persistently urged by the Congress. Turning to the Partition of Bengal, he denounced it as " a cruel wrong," and indignantly flung back Lord Curzon's false assertion that the agitation was " manufactured," declaring that nothing more intense, widespread and spontaneous had been seen in Indian political agitation. Mentioning the remarkable men who had come forward against the Partition, he exclaimed : If the opinions of even such men are to be brushed aside with contempt, if all Indians are to be treated as no better than dumb, driven cattle ; if men, whom any other coujitry would delig-ht to honour, are to be thus made to realise the utter humiliation and helplessness of their position in their own, then all I can say is: "Goodbye to all hope of co-operating in any way with the bui^eaucracy in the interests of the people!" I can conceive of no graver indict- ment of British rule than that such a state of things should be possible after a hiindred years of that rule ! The tremendous upheaval of popular feeling which has taken place in Bengal in consequence of the Partition, will constitute a landmark in the history of our National progress. For the first time since British rule began, all sections of the Indian community, without distinction of caste or creed, have been m.oved by a common impulse and without the stimulus of external pressure, to act together in offering resistance to a common wrong. A wave of true National consciousness has swept over the Province and, at its touch, old barriers have, for the time at any rate, been thrown down, personal THE TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS 419 jealotisies have vanished, other controversies have been hushed ! Bengal's heroic stand against tlie oppression of a harsh and uncontrolled bureaucrac}' has astonished and gratified all India, and her sufferings have not been endured in vain, when they have helped to draw closer all parts of the country in sympathy and in aspiration. A great rush and uprising of the waters such as has been recently witnessed in Bengal cannot take place without a little inundation over the banks here and there. These little excesses are inevitable when large masses of men move spontaneously — especially when the movement is from darkness into lis'ht, from bondage towards freedom — and they must not be allowed to disconcert us too much. 'J'he most astouiiding fact of the situation is that the public life of this country has received an accession of strength of great importance, and for this all India owes a deep debt of gratitude to Bengal. Speaking of the Swadeshi movement, Mr. Gokliale justified the boycott as a political weapon, to be used only at the last extremity, and witli strong popular feeling behind it. The devotion to Motherland, which is enshrined in the highest Swadeshi, is an influence so profound and so passionate that its very thought thrills and its actual touch lifts one out of oneself. India needs to-day above everything else that the gospel of this devotion should be preached to high and low, to Prince and to peasant, in town and in hamlet, till the Service of Motherland becomes with us as overmastering a passion as it is in Japan. Turning then to the Congress movement, Mr. Gokliale traced it to the National consciousness quickened by the beloved Lord E,ipon. " Hope at that time was warm and faith was bright " that by urging reforms Indians could win a steady progress towards political emancipation. "Much had happened to chill that faith and dim that hope," yet the 420 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM people now realised " the idea of a United India working for her salvation ". Advance would be gradual, but the resources of the country must be devoted to it, and the people educated. For a hundred years England had ruled India, but four villages out of every five were without a school-house, and seven children out of eight grew up in ignorance. " India should be governed first and foremost in the interests of the Indians themselves. This result will be achieved only in proportion as we obtain more and more voice in the Government of our country." That the Charter Act of 1833 and the Queen's Proclamation of 1858 have created in the eyes of reactionary rulers a most inconvenient situation is clear from a blunt declaration which another Viceroy of India, the late Lord Lytton, made in a confidential document and which has since seen the light of day. Speaking of our claims and expectations based on the pledges of the Sovereign and the Parliament of England, he wrote : " We all know that these claims and expectations never can or will ])e fulfilled. We have had to choose between prohibiting them [the Natives of India] and cheating them, and we have chosen the least straightforward course Since I am writing confidentially, T do not hesitate to say that both the Government of England and of India appear to me up to the present moment unable to answer satisfactorily the charge of having taken every means in their power of breaking to the heart the words of promise they had uttered to the ear. " We accept Lord Lytton as an unimpeachable authority on the conduct of the Government in evading the fulfilment of the pledges. W^e deny his claim to lay down that our "claims and expectations never can or will be fulfilled ". Our whole future, it is needless to say, is bound up with this question of the relative position of the tw^o races in this country. The domination of one race over another — especially when there is no great disparity' between THE TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS 421 their intellectual endowments or their general civilisation — inflicts great injury on the subject race in a thousand insidious ways. On the moral side, the present situation is steadily destroying our capacity for initiative and dwarfing us as men of action. On the material side, it has resulted in a fearful impoverishment of the people. For a hundred years and more now India has been for members of the dominant race a country where fortunes Avere to be made, to be taken out and spent elsewhere. As in Ireland the evil of absentee landlordism has in the past aggravated the racial domination of the English over the Irish, so in India what may be called absentee capitalism has been added to the racial ascendancy of Englishmen. A great and ruinous drain of wealth from the country has gone on for many years, the net excess of exports over imports (including treasure) during the last forty years amounting to no less than a thousand millions sterling. The steady rise in the death- rate of the country — from 24 per thousand, the average for 1882-84, to 30 per thousand, the average for 1892- 94, and 34 per thousand, the present average — is a terrible and conclusive proof of this continuous impoverish- ment of the mass of our people. India's best interests — material and moral — no less than the honour of England, demand that the policy of equality for the two races promised by the Sovereign and by Parliament should be faithfully and courageously carried out. Mr. Gokhale then turned to the bureaucracy, and bitterly blamed the system, adding that " the bureaucracy is growing frankly selfish and openly hostile to their [the educated classes] national aspirations. It was not so in the past." And he spoke of the different feeling within living memory, when the rulers looked forward to India's Self- Government. It was pretended that the people were indifferent, but " what the educated Indians think to-day, the rest of India thinks to-morrow '\ 422 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Lastly, Mr, Gokliale advised concentration on selected portions of the Congress programme : (1) a larger and larger share in administration and control, by a steady substitution of Indians for Europeans; (2) improvement in methods of administration ; (3) re- adjustment of financial arrangements; and (4) measures to improve the condition of the people. An elabora- tion of these brought his splendid speech to a close. The approval of the Subjects' Committee was given, and the Congress adjourned. On the second day, after noting some telegrams of good wishes, the President moved from the Chair the first Resolution of welcome to T. R. H. the Prince and Princess of Wales, and it was enthusiastically carried. Resolution II, on the further reform of the Legislative Councils, was moved by the Hon. Mr. J. Choudhuri, who remarked that recent legislation would have been very diiferent had the Supreme Council been more than a debating society. Indians practically said to the officials : " That is our suggestion : reason is on our side : justice is on our side : the votes are on your side : do just as you please." The Hon. Mr. L. A. Govindaraghava Iyer seconded in a weighty speech, pointing out that England's chief aim was not merely to govern India efficiently but " to make her Self-Co verning," and for this larg(!r representation was needed. Messrs. R. P. Karandikar, C S. Khaparde, Ali Muhammad Bhimji, and Surendranath Bannerji supported, and the Resolution was carried. THE TWENTY-riRST CONGKESS 423 Resolution III was on Excise Policy and Administra- tion, and was ably moved by Sir Bhalcliandra Krishna, seconded by Mr. G. A. Natesan, supported by Mr. B. S. Bhatia and carried. Resolution IV dealt with representation, but on lines different from those of Resolution II, for it asked that each Province in India should return two members to the House of Commons, that three Indians should be placed on the India Council, two in the Viceroy's Executive Council, and one in the Executive Councils of Bombay and Madras. Mr. G. Srinivasa Rao moved the Resolution in a short speech, Mr. S. R. Das formally seconded it, Mr. Fazal Husain supported it, and it was unani- mously carried. Mr. Ambalal Desai moved Resolution V, suggest- ing a revival of Parliamentary enquiries into the condition of the country, and the placing of the Seci'etary of State's salary on the British estimates. He recalled the value of the enquiries on the renewals of the East India Company's Charter, and such en- quiries might mitigate present evils. Mr. Tarapada Bannerji seconded, laying stress on the importance of such enquiries. Mr. V. Krishnasvv^ami Aiyar sup- ported, noting that when the Government of India had been transferred to the Crown, serious misgivings had been felt as to Parliamentary control, and they had been justified. Good might come out of such enquiries as were proposed, as the knowledge obtained would touch the heart of the British people. The Resolution was carried. 424 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution VI dealt with the Public Service question, and was moved by Mr. N. M. Samarth, who dealt sevei'ely with Lord Curzon's insolent treatment of the Proclamation of 1858, saying that "happily for his Lordship and unhappily for India, we are not living in the days of Burke and Sheridan. Otherwise one could well imagine the fate that would probably have befallen the late Viceroy on his return to England, after trifling with the Queen's Proclamation." Pandit Bishan Narayana Dhar seconded, pointing to the eminent Indians who were " debarred from holding high appointments in the Public Service of their own country ". Mr. J. Simeon and the Hon. Mr. K. R. Gruruswami Aiyar supported, and the Resolution was carried. The Congress then adjourned. On the third day, Mr. G. Su])ramania Iyer moved Resolution VII, dealing with the fashion in which the artificial surpluses were disposed of, and referred to Mr. Gokhale's speech in the previous year as the basis of his own. Mr. R. N. Mudholkar seconded, deploring the unsoundness of Indian finance, and pointing out that expenditure grew from military extravagance, and high berths for Europeans, while education was starved. Mr. Mathura Das supported, and the Resolution was carried. Mr. H. A. Wadia moved Resolution A^Ili, on the hopeless subject of military expenditure, and asked that the JO niillinns sterling sanctioned for military purposes be spent in education and in reducing the ryots' burdens. On speaking for " the voiceless millions," he said, "it is not so much a THE TWENTY-FIKST CONGRESS 425 right that we desire to assert as a sacred duty which we aspire to perform ". Mr. V. Ryru Nambier seconded, urging that a large army was not needed to secure internal peace ; what was an army in a population of 300 millions ? The loyalty of these was India's defence. After speeches from Messrs. N. B. Ranade and Krishna Baldev Varma, the Resolution was carried. Resolution IX was on the South African troubles growing worse each year, the conditions of the Indians being far worse than under the Boers, urged Mr. Madanjit. Mr. B. N. Sarma spoke out boldly, warning England that in the Empire there could not be permanently a racial supremacy, one race dominating another. " If we are true to our- selves, then the race which has produced the great philosophers, the greatest statesmen and the greatest warriors shall not crouch for this or that favour at the hands of other people. It is then and then alone that the South African problem, as well as other Indian problems will find their best solution." Well spoken indeed. Then, and only then. Dr. B. S. Munji remarked that Indians as a Nation were boycotted, both in and out of India, Foreigners in India dominated and ruled, and Indians in foreign countries were ruthlessly boycotted. "Our rulers do not believe that we are men." The Resolution was carried. Mr. Romesh Chandra Dutt gave a charm even to our old friend the separation of Judicial and Executive functions, embodied in Resolution X^ and 34 426 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the Hon. Mr. Setalwad duly seconded it. Dr. Satish Chandra Bannerji supported, urging the need to make British justice sound. Mr. Bishnupada Chatterji added some instances of the miscarriages of justice, and the Resolution passed — as usual. Police Reforms were entrusted to their old cham- pion, Mr. S. Sinha, and he moved Resolution XI, and said how bitterly the Police Commission had dis- appointed them, constituting a special Police Service from which Indians should be excluded. Lord Cur/.on's corps' (Vrlite, reserved to Europeans. Messrs. Jogiah, Ishwar Saran, Nargunti Kar, A. C. Parthasarathi Naidu, and Kaliprasanna Kavyabisharad, all spoke to it, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XII against the Partition of Bengal was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, as soon as the shouts of " Bande Mataram " allowed him to speak. With passionate eloquence he voiced the anger of his people, and declared that agitation should never stop until the Partition Avas cancelled. He proved to be a true prophet, and the cancellation in 1911 proved what agitation could do, even in India, under coercion and an autocracy. He described the grief and excitement in Calcutta : " the shops were closed, the domestic hearth wiis not lit, food was not cooked ". The Government was busy " forging in- struments of repression, laying tlie foundation for the inauguration of a reign of terror ". Meetings were prohilnted, Sankirtan ])rocessions stopped, the singing of" Bande Mataram " ])unished, boys prosecuted and sent to gaol. They believed Cod was witli tliem, and THE TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS 427 " men fortified by such belief and working under such conviction are irresistible and invincible ; there is no danger which they are not ready to brave, no difficulty which they are not prepared to surmount ". Mr. A. Choudhuri seconded in a witty speech, and Messrs. Baikunthanath Sen, C. V. Vaidya (Rao Bahadur), S. Sinha, Hadayat Bakshi, Abdul Kasim, R. N. Mudholkar (Rao Bahadur) and Nussuruddin, voiced, in one indignant protest after another, the anger and determination of India. Not often has the National Congress witnessed such a scene of excitement. Then came Resolution XIII, protesting against the repressive measures adopted to crush the antagoiiism that Lord Curzon's tyranny had created. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya showed, in moving it, that not one act of violence had been committed by the people, in spite of all that had occurred. No protest was heeded, and as a last measure of despair the boycott of foreign goods was adopted. Then came a series of repressive measures; "persecution is the only word that you can use " for the measures adopted. Ear- nestly he hoped that the Government would put an end to the boycott by removing its cause. Lala Lajpat Rai, seconding, congratulated Bengal on its splendid opportunity of heralding a new political era for the country. The English had taught them how to resist wlien they had a grievance, and the English expected them to show more manliness in their struggles for liberty. They must show that they were " no longer beggars^ and that we are 428 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM subjects of an Empire where people are struggling to achieve that position which is their right". If other Provinces followed the example of Bengal the day- was not far distant when they would win. Messrs. H. A. Wadia, W. D. A. Khare, V. Krishna- swami Aiyar — who recounted the example of Ireland and of China — A. H. Graznavi — who exposed the vio- lent and hysterical behaviour of Mr. Bamfylde Fuller, his threats, and his rudeness to respectable men, whom he rated and insulted like a bully, " blood- shed might be necessary," he said, and the Gurkhas had been brought to check the state of affairs — Panday Eamsaran Lai and G. S. Khaparde all spoke, the Resolution was passed, and the meeting adjourned. The Congress met for the fourtli time on December 80th, and the President called on ]\Ir. Heramba Chandra Maitra to move Resolution XIV on Education, which protested against the policy of officialising and restricting education, thanked the Government for some special grants made, though insufficient to meet the country's needs, and urged the recommendations made by the Industrial Education Committee, and the establishment of a Polytechnic Institute, with affiliated schools and colleges. The mover made a weighty and impressive speecli, remarking that amid the exciting topics of the time tlie perennial importance of education must iK^t be overlooked. Higher education was openly restricted by the Government, who regarded one college student to every 11,000 of the population as too large a proportion. The THE TWENTY-FIRSl* COiJGREsS 429 University Commission said that it was better to have a comparatively small number well educated than a large number inadequately educated. Is it better that a few men should have a surfeit of luxur}^ and millions should starve, than that all should be moderately fed ? Is it better that a few healthy strong giants should stride across the face of the country, and others should be so many skeletons ? Is it better that there should be a few saints in the country and the rest should be blackguards, than that all men should be of fairly good character ? The question could not be better put. The view taken by the University Commission is opposed to every modern theory of Society, though it is easy to see why it should be the view of a foreign Government, determined to keep a Nation in bonds. Mr. Maitra said with impassioned eloquence : We are denied admission into South African Re- publics ; we are denied admission into Australia. Are we also to be denied admission into the Republic of Letters ? Are we not to be admitted freely to the franchises of the citizenship of the great Republic of Letters ? .... We claim., we demand, that we should be helped to believe that the British Gevernment in India is a wise and humane dispensation and not a scourge for the punishment of the people for their former sins. That is all we demand and ask for in this Resolution. The noblest service which one man can render to another, next to helping in the belief in the glory and goodness of God, is to unfold the doors of the temple of culture to a man, and the cruellest wrong that one can do for another is to withhold from him the boon of education, which is a solace to him in the days of sorrow, wliich is an augmentation in the days of joy, which is always a friend and companion. We demand that England shall not be deliberately guilty of that cruel wrong". 430 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. D. CI. Pandhya seconded and, after many sound arguments against the officialising of education, remarked that " the aim is to manufacture in India, to manufacture from colleges and schools, suhmissive slaves who will be Avilling instruments in the hands of despots Avho live upon the people of this country ". Dr. Nilratan Sircar, supporting, advocated industrial education, pleading for an adapt- ation of technical education as in Japan, America and Germany. Messrs. M. K. Patel, Ramananda Chatterji — who said that India's political salvation depended on mass education — and Nareschaudra Sen supported the Eesolution, which was carried. Mr. B. G. Tilak, " who was received with an ovation," says the Report, moved Resolution XV on Famine, Poverty, Economic Enquiry and Land Revenue ; he urged the duty of Government to deal with the causes of poverty, to ensure prosperity ; Governments would not be needed if there were universal well-being, any more than doctors would be wanted if there were no disease. Pandit Gokarnath seconded, Messrs. N. K. Ramaswami Aiyar, Sanktu Prasad, Rambhuj Dutt, and K. N. Deskmukh supported, and the Resolution was carried. The Hon. Mr. G. K. Parekh moved and Mr. Ali Muhammad Bhimji seconded. Resolution XVI, to relieve the Muhammadan pilgrims of the Bombay quarantine in view of the 10 days' quarantine at Kamran. The Resolution was supported by Moulvi Abdul Kayum and Mr. G. S. Khare, and passed. THE TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS 431 Resolution XYII, the Omnibus, was put from the Chair. Mr. K. Venkata Rao proposed and Mr. J. N. Roy seconded Resohition XVIII, supporting Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji's candidature at South Lambetli ; and i\Ir. D. A. Khare moved and Mr. K. Nara- yana Rao seconded Resohition XIX, thanking Mr. G. K. riokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai for their great services in EngLand. Mr. M. V. Joshi then moved Resohition XX, appointing Mr. Gokhale to be the Delegate of the Congress to urge the more pressing proposals of the Congress on the authorities in England. Mr. C. Vijiaraghavachari seconded, and Sister Nivedita supported the Resolution, urging the Congress to remember the birth of Nationality in Europe, an impulse against the Napoleonic movement, a century before ; now history Avas repeating itself, and India must speak for the salvation of Europe, for the English Empire must be Imperialism or Nationality, Slavery of Nations or Freedom for the ]ieoples of the earth. Resolution XXI appointed a Standing Committee to promote the objects of the Congress throughout the year. Resolution XXII re-appointed the Secre- taries ; Resolution XXIII thanked Sir William Wedderburn and tlie British Committee. Then Mr. Yatindranath Choudhuri invited the next Con- gress to Calcutta, the Congress gladly accepting. Finally, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, in words of deepest gratitude and admiration, voiced the love and trust of India in the vote of thanks to the President, endorsed by tumultuous applause ; 432 HOW INDIA WEOUQHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. Surendranath Bannerji seconded, and Mr. Gokhale very briefly replied. Thus had the Twenty-first National Congress its ending. RESOLUTIONS Message of Welcome to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales I. Resolved — That this Congress, representing His Majesty's Indian subjects of all races, creeds and communities, most humbly and respectfiiUy oifers its loyal and dutiful welcome to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales on the occasion of their visit to India. The Congress is deeply touched by the expressions of Their Highnesses' sentiments of cordial good-will towards the people of India, is confident that the personal knowledge gained during the present tour will stimulate their kindly interest in the welfare of its people, and it expresses the fervent hope that His Royal Highness will be graciously pleased to submit, to His Majesty the King-Emperor, the earnest prayer of this Congress that the principles of the Queen's Proclamation be enforced in the Government of this country. («) That the President do submit the above resolution to His Royal Highness by wire. Representation II. Resoh'ed — That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived for a further expansion and reform of the Supreme and Provincial Legislative Councils, so that they may become more representative of the people, and the non-official members thereof may have a real voice in the Government of the country. The Congress recommends an increase in the number of non-official and elected members and the grant to them of the right of dividing the Councils in financial matters coming before them ; the head of the Government concerned possessing the power of veto. IV. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived when the people of India should be allowed a larger voice in the ndiiiinistration and control of the affairs of their country by : (a) The bestowal on each of the Provinces of India the franchise to return at least two members to the British House of Commons. THE TWENTY-FIEST CONGRESS 433 (b) The appointment of not less than three Indian gentlemen of proved ability and experience as members of the Secretary of State's Council. (c) The appointment of two Indians as men\bers of the Governor-General's Executive Council and of one Indian as a member of the Executive Councils of Bombay and Madras. Bxcise III. Resolved — That (a) this Congress, while thanking the Government of India for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into Excise Administration in the sevei-al Provinces of the country, regrets that its composition is exclusively ofScial, and that, therefore, it cannot inspire full public confidence ; (h) this Congress, concurring in the opinion of previous Congresses, expresses its deliberate conviction that the recognition of the principle of local option in practical administration and a large reduction in the number of existing liquor-shops are conditions precedent to any satisfactory reform in Excise Administration ; (c) this Congress respectfully urges on the Government of India the desirability of speedily carrying out the principal proposals contained in Sir Fredrick Lely's memorandum of last year on Excise Administration ; (d) that the Congress begs to protest against the virtual shelving, by the Government of India in its executive capacity, of the Bengal Excise Bill, which has been welcomed as a sound and progressive piece of temperance legislation. Periodical Enquiries V. Resolved- — That this Congress is of opinion that to enable the Parliament to discharge more satisfactorily its responsibility in regard to the Government of India, periodical Parliamentary en- quiries into the condition of India should be revived, and the salary of the Secretary of State for India should be placed on the British estimates. Public Service VI. Resolved— (a) That, in the opinion of the Congress, the principles and policy enunciated by the Government of India in their Resolution, dated 24th May, 1904, on the subject of the employment of Indians in the higher grades of the Public Service, are inconsistent with those laid down in the Parliamentary Statute of 1833 and the Proclamation of 1858 by the late Queen-Empress, and this Congress enters its respectful but emphatic protest against an attempt to explain away pledges solemnly given by the 434 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM Sovereign and Parliament to tlie people of this country, and to deviate from arrangements deliberately arrived at by the Govern- ment after a careful examination of the whole question by a Public Commission. {h) That this Congress is of opinion tluit the true remedy for many existing financial and administrative evils lies in the wider employment of Indians in the higher branches of the country's service ; and while concurring with previous Congresses in urging that immediate effect should be given to the Resolution of the House of Commons of 2nd June, 1893, in favour of holding the competitive examinaticjns for the Civil Services simultaneously in England and in India, this Congress places on record its firm conviction that the only satisfactory solution of this question is to be found in the re-organisation of the Indian Civil Service, which should be reconstituted on a decentralised basis, its judicial functions in the meantime being partly transferred to persons who have been trained in the profession of law. (c) That this Congress, concurring in the opinion of the last Congress, deplores the abolition of the competitive test for the Provincial Service. Past experience has amply established the fact that a system of Government noniination degenerates, in the special circumstances of this country, into a system of appointment by official favour, and thus by bringing unfit men into the Service, impairs the efficiency of the administration and, in addition, unfairly discredits the fitness of Indians for high office. This Congress, therefore, respectfully urges the Government of India to restore the competitive test for the Provincial Service. Finance Vil. Ilesolved — That this Congress, while appreciating the action of the Government of India in applying a portion of its surplus revenues last March to sonic of the purposes recommended by the Congress, is of opinion that the financial relief given by it to the tax-payers of this country during the last three years has been most inadequate, and tlic Congress regrets that advantage has been taken of recent sur])luses to increase largely the military expenditure of the country, raise the salaries of European officials in several dejiartments and create a number of new posts for them. The Congress urges that any sur])lus that may arise in the future should, in the first place, be utilised for jnirposcs of remission of taxation, and, secondly, be devoted to objects directly benefiting the jieople, such as imparting scientific, industrial and agricultural education, providing increased facilities of medical relief and assisting Municipal and Local Boards with grants to undertake urgently needed measures of sanitary reform, and the improvement of means of communication in the interior. THE TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS 435 Military VIII. Resolved — (a) That this Coiigress, while recording its emphatic protest against any change which weakens the supremacy of the Civil control over the Military authorities, is of opinion that the necessary Civil control cannot be adequately exercised until and unless the representatives of the tax-payers are placed in a position to influence such _ jntrol. (b) That ibis Congress earnestly rejDeats its protest against the continued increase in the military expenditure, which is unnecessary, unjust and beyond the caj.acity of the Indian people. (r) That this Congress is distinctly of opinion that as the militar}' expenditure of this country is determined, not by its own military needs and requirements alone but also by the exigencies of British supremacy and British policy in the East, it is only fair that a proportionate share of such expenditure should he met out of the British Exchequer and shared by the Enquire at large, instead of the whole of such expenditure falling on a part of the Empire which is the poorest and the least able to bear it. (d) That in view of the changed position of affairs in Asia, due to the recent war between Russia and Japan and the Anglo- Japanese Treaty, this Congress earnestly urges that the large expenditure of 10 millions sterling sanctioned last year for the Re- organisation scheme be not now incurred, and the money be devoted to an extension of education in all its branches and reduction of the i-yofs burdens. Indians in British Colonies IX. Resolved— That («) this Congress, while exjjressing its sense of satisfaction at the passing by the Australian House of representatives, of a Bill to amend the Law of Immigration so as to avoid hurting the susceptibilities of the people of India, again places on record its sense of deep regret that British Indians should continue to be subjected to harassing and degrading restrictions anfl denied the ordinary rights of British citizenship in His Majesty's Colonies. The Congress particularly protests against the enforcement by the British Government of disabilities on the Indian settlers in the Transvaal and Orange River Crown Colonies, Mliich were not enforced even under the old Boer rule, in spite of declarations by His Majesty's Minister that the treatment of the Indian subjects of the King-Emperor by the Boer Government Mas one of the causes of the late war ; (h) in view of the important part the Indian settlers have played in the development of the Colonies, their admitted loyalty and peaceful and industrious habits, their useful and self-sacriticing services during the recent war, and, above all, the great constitution- al imijortance of the pi-inciple of equal treatment of all citizens of 436 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM the Empire anywhere in the King-'s Dominions, this Conpfress respectfally, but strongly, urges the Government of India and HiH Majesty's Grovernment to insist, by prohibiting, if necessary, the emigration of indentured labour and adopting other retaliatory measures, on the recognition of the status of Indian emigrants as British citizens in all the Colonies. Legal X. Resolved— (a) That in the opinion of this Congress a com- plete sepai-ating of Judicial from Executive functions must now be carried out without further delay ; (b) that this Congress, coucuiTiug with previous Congresses, urges that the Judicial Service, in all parts of the country, should be recruited from the Legal profession more largely than at present, as the system of appointing Civilians without special legal training to high judicial offices does not lead to satisfactory administration of justice in the Muffasal. Police XI. Resolved — That this Congress, while noting with satisfac- tion some useful reforms recommended by the Police Commission, regrets that adequate measures have not been adopted to materially imiDrove the efficiency and the honesty of the Police Service. That this Congress records its conviction : (1) That competitive examinations for the recruitment of the Police Service in the higher grades should be thrown open to all classes of British subjects instead of being contined to candidates of British birth, and that such examinations should be held simultaneously in England and in India. (2) That educated Indians should be largely employed in the higher grades in order to secure efficiency in work. (3) That enlistment in the Provincial Service should be by competitive examinations. (4) And histly, that District Officers, who are the heads of the Police, should be relieved of judicial work and of all control over the Magistracy of the District. Coercion TJtr Partition of Bengal XII. Resolved — -That this Congress records its emphatic protest against the Partition of Bengal in the face of the strongest opposition on the pnrt of the people of the Province. That having rogai-d to the intense dissatisfaction felt by the entire Bengali community at tlie dismemberment of their Province THE TWENTY-FIEST CONGRESS 437 and their manifest disinclination to accept the Partition as an accomplished fact, this Congress appeals to the Government of India and to the Secretary of State to reverse or modify the arrangements made in such a manner as to conciliate public opinion, and allay the excitement and unrest manifest among large masses of the people. That thia Congress recommends the adoption of some arrange- ment which would be consistent with administrative efficiency, and would place the entire Bengali community under one undivided administration either by the appointment of a Governor and Council, or by the adoption of some other administrative arrangement that may be thought desirable. Repressive Measures XIII. Resolved — That this Congress records its earnest and emphatic protest against the repressive measures which have been adopted by the authorities in Bengal after the people there had been compelled to resort to the boycott of foreign goods as a last protest, and perhaps the only constitutional and effective means left to them of drawing the attention of the British public to the action of the Government of India in persisting in their determina- tion to partition Bengal, in utter disi-egard of the universal prayers and protests of the people. [See XVII, 6.] Education XIV. Resolved- — (a) That this Congress repeats its protest against the present policy of the Government of India in respect of High and Secondary education, as being one of officialising the governing bodies of the Universities and restricting the spread of education. {h) That this Congress, while thanking the Government of India for the special grants made this year to Primary and High Education, again places on record its firm conviclion that the material and moral interests of the country demand a much larger expenditure than at present on all branches of education, and a beginning in the direction of Free Primary Education. (c) That in the opinion of this Congress the recommenda- tions of the Committee on Industrial Education shoidd be promptly carried out by the Government for the better pi-ovision of Technical Education to the youth of the country. The Congress especially urges the Government to order an Industrial Survey as recommended by the Committee, and as suggested by the Government of India itself in its Home Department Resolution No. 199, dated 18th June, 1888, as a necessary pi-elirainary to the introduction of an organised system of TeGhnical education in the several Provinces. 35 4B8 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (d) That at least one central fuUy-eqiiippecl Polytechnic Institute should be established in the countiy with minor technical schools and colleges in the different Provinces. Poverty XV. Eosolved — That this Congress deplores fresh outbreaks of famine in several j^arts of the country, and holding that the fi-eijuent occurrences of famines are due to the great poverty of the people, which forces large numbers of them to throw themselves on State help at the first touch of scarcity, it again urges the G-ovem- ment of India and the Secretary of State to institute a detailed enquiry into the economic 'condition of a few typical villages in different parts of India. (1 ) This Congress is of opinion that the property of an agri- cultural country like India cannot be secured without a definite limitation of the State demand on land, such as was proposed b}'' Lord Canning in 1862, or by Lord Ripon in 1882. (2) It regrets tliat Lord Curzon, in his Land Eesolution of 1902, failed to recognise any such limitation, and declined to accept the suggestions of the Eight Hon. Sir Eichard Garth and other memorialists. (3) It holds that a reasonable and definite restriction of the State-demand, and not the restriction on tenants' rights, such as has found favour in recent j'ears, is the true remedy for the growing imijoverishment of the agricultural population. Quarantine at Bombay XVI. Eesolved — That having regard to the fact that there is ten days international quarantine in existence at Kamran, this Congress holds that the quarantine of five days imposed at the port of Bombay upon the Musalman pilgrims before embarking for Jedda is unnecessary and vexatious, and produces a feeling of discontent ; this Congress, therefore, prays that the quarantine imposed at Bombay be entirely abolished. Provincial Grievances XVII. Eesolved — Tliat ttiis Congress, coiicurritig wirh previous Congresses, strongly urges — (1) The constituti(m of the Par.jal) into a Eeguhition Province. (2) The expaiision and reform of the Panjab Legislative Council in accordance with the Indian Council Act of 1892. (3) The establishment of a Chartered High Court of Judica- ture in the Punjab. THE TWENTY-llEST CONGEESS 439 (4) The Enactment of Legislation for Berar by the Supreme Legislative Council and not by Executive order of the Governor- General in Council. (5) The restoration, to the people of the Central Provinces of the right to elect their representative on the Supreme Legislative Council instead of his being nominated by the Government. (6) The cancellation of the Government of India Notification of 2.5th June, 1891, in the Foreign Department, gagging the Press in territories under British administration in Native States as being serious infi-ingenient of the liberty of the Press in those tracts. India and the General Election XVIIL Resolved — That this Congress desires to accord its most cordial sujaport to the candidature of Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji for North Lambeth, and appeals to the electors of that constituency to return him to Parliament. Thanks of Congress XIX. Eesolved — That this Congress desires to record its sense of high ap]ireciation of the manner in which the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale, C. I. E , and Lala Lajpat Rai discharged the onerous duties imposed on them in England. XXIII, Resolved — That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderburn, Bart., and the other members of the British Committee, its most grateful thanks for their disinterested services in the cause of India's political advancement. Appointment of the Hon, Mr. Gokhale as Delegate to England XX. Resolved — That in view of the importance of urging the more pressing proposals of the Congress on the attention of the authorities in England at the present juncture, the Congress appoints its President, the Hon. Mr. Gopal Krishna Gokhale, CLE , as its delegate, and deputes him to proceed to England for this purpose. Congress Work XXI. Resolved — That a Standing Committee of the Congress be appointed to promote the objects of the Congress and to take such steps diu-ing the year as may be necessary to give efEect to the Resolutions of the Congress. That the following gentlemen be appointed members of the Standing Committee for the year 1906 : (1) Hon. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, K.C.I.E. (Bombay). (2) Hon. Daji Abaji Khare (Bombay). 440 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (3) G. Subramania Iyer Esq. (Madras). (4^ Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad (Madras). (.5) Surendranath Bannorji, Esq (Calcutta). (6) A. Choudhuri Esq. (Calcutta). (7) Maulvi Abdul Kasim (Burdwan). (8) S. Siuha Esq. (Bankipur). (9) Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (Allahabad). (10) Munshi Ganga Prasad Varma (Lucknow). (11) Lala Lajpat Rai (Lahore). (12) Lala Harkishan Lai (Lahore). (13) Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar (Amraoti) ;') ^^ S e c r e- /■,A\^^^Mir 1, -L^ /r» 1 ^ i > taries of the (14) D. E. Wacha Esq. (Bombay) ; and t r- ,v,r,,;ffoc /t,-\ TT •^r /-I Tr /^ 1 1 1 /^ T T^ /T> s > Committee. (15) Hon. Mr. G. K Gokhale, CLE. (Poena). J Formal XXII. Resolved — That this Congress re-appoints A. 0. Hume Esq., C.B., to be General Secretary, and D. E. Wacha Esq. and the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale, O.I.E., to be Joint General Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXIV. Resolved — That the Twenty-second Indian National Congress do assemble, on such day after Christmas Day, 1906, as may later be determined on at Calcutta-. I CHAPTER XXII Never before nor since 1906, has the Congress seen such a gathering as that which assembled at Calcutta on the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th of December in that memorable year. A huge Pavilion was erected by the Russa Road, Bhowanipur, seating 16,000 persons, with wide passages that gave standing room to another 4,000 ; Bengal had been roused from end to end, all India sympathised with her wrongs, and 1,663 delegates came to show their love. They came from : Bengal . 686 U. P. ... . 187 Panjab C. P. (90), Berar (60), (1), Secunderabad (6) Bombay Madras Jaipi , Bar "^ ay, ) galore Indoi (2). . 139 e . 160 . 262 . 221 Burma 8 1,663 Only once has this number been overtopped, in the memorable Congress of 3889, to which Charles Bradlaugh came, and never have the delegates been so evenly distributed as on this occasion. 442 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM The welcome given to the President-elect and past Presidents, as they came on to the platform with the Chairman of the Reception Committee, Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh, rang out from 20,000 throats, and when silence was obtained, Mr. Narendranath Sen, the patriot Editor of The Indian Mirror, opened the proceedings with a prayer, and two men choirs and a tliird of 30 young girls, sang National songs. Then Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh welcomed the delegates, and spoke with deep sorrow in that the year had robbed Bengal of two of her best beloved, W. C. Bannerji and Ananda Mohan Bose, leaders sorely needed now, compassed as they were with dangers and darkness. They had been afflicted by floods and famine, but far worse were the political perils around them. Lord Curzon had found India compai-atively content- ed, and had left her fermenting with unrest, and hi.s parting gift Avas the Partition of " a Province, for which he had always dissembled his love ". The Partition of Beng-al was followed by Russian methods of Government, with this difference, that the ofHcials who devised them wero Englishmen, while the Russian official is at least the countryman of those whom he governs or misgoverns. The singing of national songs and even the cry of " Bande Mataram " were forl)idden under severe penalties. This ordinance was fittingly succeeded by the prosecution of schoolboys, the quarter- ing of military and punitive police, the prohibition and forcible dispersion of public meetings, and these high- handed proceedings attained their crown and completion in the tragedy at Barisal, when the Provincial Conference was dispersed by the Police, who wantonly broke the peace in order, I imagine, to keep the peace. Now, though we are a thorouglily loyal people and our loyalty THE TWENTT-SECOND CONGRESS 443 is not to be easily shaken because it is founded on a more solid basis than mere sentiment, I have no hesitation in saying that we should be less than men if "we could for- get the tragedy of that day, the memory of which will always fill us with shame and humiliation. And this leads me to remark that it was not cowardice that prevented oiar young men from retaliating. It was their respect for law and order — their loyalty to their much reviled leaders that kept them in check. All this has now happily been put an end to. But as soon as the cloud began to lift, those Anglo-Indians who are obliged to live in this land of regrets merely from a high sense of duty were seized with the fear that their monopoly of philanthropic work might be interrupted, and immediate- ly commenced a campaign of slander and misrepresen- tation which in virulence and mendacity has never been equalled. I. C. S.'s in masks and editors of Anglo- Indian newspapers forthwith began to warn the English people that we were thoroughly disloyal, ferreting out sedition with an ingenuity which would have done no discredit to the professors of Laputa. He then spoke of Swadesliism, in which " you see the cradle of a New India. To speak of such a move- ment as disloyal is a lie and calumny. We love England, with all her faults, but we love India more. If this is disloyalty, we are, I am proud to say, disloyal." He closed with some wise words of counsel to the younger men, furious with the wrongs they suffered, of grave warning to England, coupled with a declaration of his belief in her justice. Raja Peary Mohan Mukerji proposed, the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad seconded, Mr. C. Sankaran Nair — remarking that " the people of this country have resolved to take the development of its resources into their own hands "—supported the election of Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, who took the chair amid a 444 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM scene of unparalleled enthusiasm. The noble veteran spoke a few words of thanks, and then gave his speech to Mr. Gokhale to read, his 82 years not permitting him to address an audience of 20,000 people. The President, as is his wont, interspersed his speech with deadly quotations, buttressing every position he took up. He regarded the work of the Congress as twofold : " First and most important is the question of the policy and principles of the system of Government under which India is to be governed in the future." Secondly, to watch the present system of administration, and introduce reform till it was " radically altered and based upon right principles and policy ". He addressed himself chiefly to the first. Then he built up his argument. Indians **are British citizens, and are entitled to and claim all British citizens' rights ". The first of these is Freedom. Gladstone said : " Freedom is the very breath of our life We stand for liberty, our policy is the policy of freedom." The first grant of Bombay to the East India Company in 1669, declared all living thereon and their descendants to be free as though " living and born in England ". The Boers, in 1901, Avere called fellow-citizens, and had already reached Self-G.overnment ; India had not obtained it 200 years after her becoming connected with England. When objection was raised to his name on the register of electors in England, the Revising Barrister had brushed it aside, on the ground that as an Indian he was a British citizen. The Queen's letter to Lord Derby, bidding him draw up the Proclamation of 1858, desired THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 445 him to point to the privileges " the Indians will receive in being placed on an equality with the sub- jects of the British Crown ". She bound herself to Indians " by the same obligations of duty which bind us to-* our other subjects," and she telegraphed a message to be read in open Darbar that " the great principles of liberty, equity and justice are secured to them". Edward VII, in 1906, said that he hoped that " throughout my dominions the grant of free institutions will be followed," etc. These rights were due to them, as a reparation for all they had suffered. Moreover the British " would not allow themselves to be subjected for a single day to such an unnatural system of Government as the one which has been imposed upon India for nearly a century and a half ". He then claimed for Indians in India all the control that Englishmen had in England. This was a necessity, in order to remedy the great economic evil which was at the root of Indian poverty. It was " absolutely necessary ^' for the progress and welfare of the Indian p.eople. " The whole matter can be comprised in one word, Self-Government, or Swaraj, like that of the United' Kingdom or the Colonies." When should a beginning be made which should automatically develop into full Self- Government ? At once. " Not only has the time fully arrived, but had arrived long past." Simultaneous examinations should at once be held for the Public Service, so as to change the administration from foreign to Indian, and then 446 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM transferred entirely to India. Free and compulsory education must be given. Representation^ real and living, must be granted. Were Indians to remain " under the barbarous system of despotism, unworthy of British instincts, principles and civilisation " ? Just financial relations must " be established at once. They require no delay or preparation. It only needs the determination and will of the British Govern- ment to do justice." If the British made up "their mind to do their duty" they could " devise means to accord Self-Government within no distant time ". He did not despair, but they must work, and agitate both in England and India. Agitation is the Lfe and soul of the whole political, social and industrial history of England. It is by agitation the English have accomplished their most glorious achieve- ments, their prosperity, their liberties and, in short, their first place among the Nations of the world. The whole life of England every day, is all agitation. You do not open your paper in the morning but read from beginning to end it is all agitation — Congresses and Conferences, Meet- ings and Resolutions without end — for a thousand and one movements local and national. From the Prime Minister to the humblest politician, his- occupation is agitation for everything he wants to accomplish. The whole Parliament, Press, and Platform* is simply all agitation. Agitation is the civilised peaceful weapon f)f moral force, and infinitely preferable to brute physical force, when possible Agitate; agitate means infoi'm. Inform, inform the Indian people what their rights are and how and why they should obtain tliem, and inform the British people of the rights of the Indian people, and why they should grant them. If we do not speak they say we are satisfied. If we speak we become agitators ! The Indian people are properly asked to act constitutionally, while the Govern- ment remains unconstitutional and despotic. THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 447 Finally, he appealed for union between Hindus and Mnhammadans, for Indian emancipation depended on this. Social Reform and Industrial progress were also needed. Self-Governraent is the only and chief remedy. In Self-Grovernment lie our hope, strength and greatness. I do not know what good fortune may be in store for me during the short period that may be left to me, and if I can leave a word of affection and devotion for my country and countrymen I say : Be united, persevere, and achieve Self-Government, so that the millions now perishing by poverty, famine and plague, and the scores of millions that are starving on scanty subsistence may be saved, and India may once more occupy her proud position of yore among the greatest and civilised Nations of the West. Bande Mataram was sung, by the girls' choir, the audience standing, and the Congress adjourned, after the Subjects Committee had been elected. The second day saw an equally crowded Pavilion, and after the singing of patriotic songs, Mr. D. E. Wacha read some messages of goodwill from W. T. Stead, Dr. Rutherford, a number of members of Parliament, and, most interesting of all, from Natal and the Ti-ansvaal, sending little contributions to the Congress, and from " the Indian inhabitants of trerman South Africa, sending Rs. 285 to help the cause of their Motherland ". The President then moved Resolution I, of grief over the heavy death-roll of the year, Mr. W. C. Bannerji, Mr. Justice Budruddin Tyabji, and Mr. Ananda Mohan Bose, all ex-Presidents of the Congress, and Mr. Viraraghavachariar, one of the leading workers in Madras. 448 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution II dealt with tlie wrongs inflicted on Indians in the Colonies, and was moved by Mr. P. R. Sundara Aiyar, lamenting that there were 50,000 Indian slaves in Natal, and many others else- where in Africa, and saying that British Indians were discriminated against, Portuguese and French Indian subjects having more rights. Lord Lansdowne had said that " among the many misdeeds of the South African Republic, I do not know that any fills me with more indignation than its treatment of these Indians ". That was before the War. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. H. A. Wadia, supported by Mr. Madanjit, Mr. C. Y. Chintamani and Mr. Lalit Mohan Ghosal, and carried. The Hon. Mr. B. N. Sarma moved Resolution III on the necessity for retrenching Indian expenditure, and showed that between 1893-94 and 1906-07 the gross expenditure had risen from 90 crores of rupees to 134 crores of rupees annually. The net expenditure in 1861-62 was 34 crores, and in 1884-85 it was 41 ci'ores, an increase of 16 per cent, while the growth of population was J 4 per cent. But if we take from 1884-85 to 1904-04, we find the increase of expenditure was 70 per cent, and of population, at the highest, of 18 per cent. The currency policy of the Empire made the silver in the rupee worth only 12 annas, so that the ryot, to pay Rs. 3 in taxation, had to sell produce worth Rs. 4. During these twenty years, military expenditure had risen from 17 crores to 32 crores, almost cent, pei- cent. And of this, nearly 7 crores was spent in England. With this great THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 449 increase of military expenditure went the worst famines ever known in British India, causing some 11 million deaths. Contrast this with the 2 million pounds spent in education, while England spent 1&- millions on education in her own land. Mr. G. A. Natesan seconded, and pointed out that of the 90 crores of military expenditure 70 crores had been spent on wars outside the Indian frontiers and in parts of India and elsewhere, all against the real interests of India. The Welby Commission had re- commended that England should contribute to the cost and that was agreed to, but the pay of British soldiers in India was raised, which took from India thrice the contribution made by England. Sir Henry Brackenbury said, before that Commission : If it were desired to maintain British Rule in India only for India's sake, then, I think, it would be fair to make India pay to the utmost farthing- that could be shown was due to Britain's rule over India ; but I cannot but feel that Britain's interest in keeping India under British rule is enormous. India affords employment to thousands of Britons. India employs millions of British capital, and Indian commerce is of immense value to Great Britain. Therefore it seems to me that, India being held by Great Britain, not only for India's sake, Great Britain should pay a share of the expenditure for this purpose ; and in estimating what that share should be, I think that England should behave generously England is a rich country, and India is a poor country. Mr. N. M. Ranade supported, urging that the Government should repeal the Arms Act and give permission for Volunteering, and should give fuller employment to Indians, so ■ reducing expenditure. The Resolution was carried. 36 450 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution IV, separation of Judicial from Executive Functions, was moved by the Hon. Mr. Krishnan Nair, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, supported by seven other speakers, despite its fami- liarity, and carried. Mr. Mozumdar said that he was chosen as seconder, because there was probably no other man in the Congress " who possesses the asinine patience of talking more than twelve times, and each time only to stocks and stones ". Yet people ask why we want Home Rule ! The Resolution was carried with one dissentient. Khan Bahadur Moulvi Muhammad Yusuf moved Resolution V, asking that a Commission should be appointed by the Grovernment, which should see if the decisions of the Privy Council against the validity of the Wakf-i-ala-aulad were consonant with the law, usages, and sentiments of Muhammadans, and if they were not, that steps should be taken to legalise the Musalman view. The Hon. Mr. Baikunthanath Sen seconded, pointing out that the decisions had curtailed the power of Muhammadans to make provision for their children. Mr. A. M. Jinnah, supporting, wel- comed the Resolution as showing that the Musalmans could make known their grievances through the Con- gress. Moulvi Abdul Kasim and Mr. S. B. Patel supported, and the Resolution was carried. The -Congress adjourned. The third day began with National songs, and the tarrival of H. H. the Gaekwar of Baroda, accom- panied by his Prime Minister, Mr. R. C. Dutt, was •warmly welcomed. THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGKESS 451 Nawab Khuja Athikulla of Dacca moved Resolution VI, against the Partition of Bengal, and declared that Hindus and Muhamniadans should enter a united protest against it. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji seconded, expressing their disappointment with the biographer of Cobden and Bright, but making excuses for him as breathing an undiluted bureaucratic atmosphere. Sir William Wedderburn asked them to wait. Wait we raust ; what else can we do P Waiting upon the will of our rulers has been our lot for the last three centuries. We shall certainly wait ; but not in meek submission to the will of our rulers as the decree of an inexorable fate, but with the firm resolve to overcome that fate, and work out our salvation. Our rulers must recognise the new spirit, born, it may' be, of the huge blunder of the Partition, vibrating through our hearts, uplifting us to a higher plane of political eliort. We are, Sirs, no longer Orientals of the old type, content to grovel under the weight of an overmastering fate, but we are Orientals of the new school, enfranchised by English culture and English influences, revivified by the example of China, Japan, and last, but not the least, of Persia, and as Orientals of the new school we believe that Nations by themselves are made. The Resolution was supported by Mr. R. N. Mudholkar, who declared that Bengal was divided because it was too strong for the bureaucracy, and that until re-union was conceded " we shall go on agitating, striving, and doing everything that lies within the limits of law till we obtain redress of our grievances ". After two more gentlemen had spoken, the Resolution was carried. The Hon. Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar moved Resolution YII, declaring that in view of the little 452 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM voice tlie people had in administration, and the lack of consideration shown by Government to their re- presentations, the Boj'cott was legitimate as a protest against Partition. Mr. Eepin Chandra Pal seconded in a vigorous speech, and said that it was not a mere boycott of goods, but one of honorary offices and associations with the Government in East Bengal. Not one leader of the people would associate with the Lieutenant-Governor in any legislative work. The Hon. Mr. L. A. Govindaraghava Aiyar justified the use of the Boycott in Bengal, but did not think it could be used ordinarily in other Provinces. Mr. A. Chou- dhuri pointed out that the Resolution was limited to Bengal, that was smarting under a great injury, and had a right to use the Boycott as a political weajDon. The Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, in supporting, said that Bengal was justified in using the Boycott as a weapon, but the Congress could not be committed to the view of Mr. Pal and the ex- tension of the Boycott, as he described it. He hoped the other Provinces Avould never be driven to the necessity of using it, but that reforms needed would be gained witliont it. The Hon. Mr. Gokhale said that they were bound only by the Resolutions of the Congress, and the Resolution declared that the boy- cott movement nuirking the resentment of the people against the Partition of Bengal was and is legitimate. They were not bound by individual sj)eeches. The Resolution was carried with one dissentient and one neutral. THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGEESS 453 Mr. Naoroji left the Hall for half an hour, and his place was taken by Mr. R. C. Dutt. Resolutions VIII and IX were postponed, and the Resolutions on Education taken. Resolution X protested ao-ainst the educational policy of the Grovernment, restricting the spread of higher education, and asked for free education, to be gradually made compulsory, larger grants, technical education, and the removal of the restrictions on private enterprise in education. It was moved by Dewan Bahadur Ambalal S. Desai, seconded by Mr. Raghubar Dayal, supported by Mr. C. Karuna- kara Menon, Messrs. M. K. Padhya, S. V. Khare, Harischandra Vissevdas, G. A. Patel, and carried. Resolution XI declared that the time had come to organise National Education, Literary, Scientific and Technical, for both boys and girls, on National lines and under National control. This Resolution was appro- priately moved by Mr. Ilirendranath Datta, the Hon. Secretary of the National Council of Education. He said that Self-Government was a three-faced deity, political, industrial and educational. He quoted as describing Indian education what had been said of Irish : " Departments of Education in Ireland, primary, secondary, university, are directly controlled by the British Government. The language of Ireland, the his- tory of Ireland, the economics of Ireland, the possibilities and rights of Ireland find no place in the curriculum." Exactly the same here. " Education in Ireland encumbers the intellect, chills the fancy, and enervates the body. It destroys the fancy. It does not acquaint the youth with 454 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the traditions of his country, nor does it afford him facilities for physical culture." After describing what they were doing in Bengal, lie concluded : Trust not your education to aliens. In Native souls and Native hands, the only hopes of succour rest. Mr. M. P. Venkatappiah seconded, and laid stress on tlie self-reliance emhodied in the resolution, and it struck the note of Nationalism. The Resolution was supported by Messrs. S. K. Nair, C. V. Vaidya, J. N. Roy, Prof. V. G. Bijapurkar, Moulvi Ismail Hasan Sheraji, and Mr. M. K. Patel, and was carried. Resolution VIII was then moved by Rao Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu ; it advocated Swadeshi, and the veteran politician urged its adoption specially by the well-to-do, and suggested an association of rich men who should give bounties to industries, as the Government would not do it. The Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan seconded, pointing out that the raw material left the country and came back as manufac- tured goods ; if they were free, they would adopt protection, as all countries did when industries were nascent. It was a religious as well as a patriotic duty to support indigenous industries. Mr. B. G. Tilak supported, saying that they, the middle classes, were the greatest consumers of foreign goods. Self-help, determination and sacrifice were needed. Lala Lajpat Rai urged that Indians should keep their capital in tlieir own hands and utilise it, and arrange for the distribution of the articles they produced. Messrs. Khaja Muhammad Noor Golam Ahmed Khan THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGEESS 455 and V. R. Joshi supported, and the Resolution was carried. Then came Resohition IX, demanding Colonial Sel£- Government, and laying down four steps to it, to be taken immediately (this, in 1906). The speeches were very short, the time being late, so Mr. A. Choudhuri only added a few sentences in moving, and the Hon. Mr. L. A. Govindaraghava briefly pointed to the action, in the Philippine Islands, of the United States. Dr. S. K. Miillick remarked that a paper had said that the English had come here like the Aryans and Mughals, and had come to stay ; then let them, like their predecessors, identify themselves with the people. Messrs. Bomanji Patel, V. A. Pandit, S. B. Mitra„ A. Eamanna, P. C. Maitra, all supported. Mr. M. A.. Jinnah proposed and Mr. M. Abdul Kasim seconded an amendment, cancelling a reservation in the original Resolution, regarding the backward class ; it was supported by Mr. Haiiz Abdul Rahim and accepted, and the amended Resolution was carried. The President moved from the Chair the Reso- lution re-appointing Messrs. Hume, D. E. Wacha and G. K. Gokhale, which was duly carried (and should be Resolution XI A .) He moved also Resolution XII, thanking Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committee, and the Congress adjourned. On meeting on the fourth day, the Congress was startled by the news that the Rt. Hon. Mr. Samuel Smith, who had been present on the first day, having come to India to preside at the All-India Temperance Conference, had suddenly passed away. 456 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. Surendraiiath Bannerji moved a Resolution of sorrow (No. XIII), seconded by Sir Balcliandra, and put with a few words from the President, who had known him for 40 years. It was carried by the audience standing. Mr. C. Yijiaraghavachari moved Eesolution XIY, on Permanent Settlement, and protesting against the view that the Land tax was rent. Land in India had never belonged to the King ; the Sages had said that the world belonged to those who were born on it ; private property was gained by cultivation, and the King, who was ordained for pi'otection, received a share from the cultivators for his services. The idea that land belonged to the King was western and feudal, not Indian. Mr. Gokaran Misra seconded, and Mr. Mehta Bahadurchand supported. Mr. Raoji Govind drew attention to the shortening of the period between Settlements in Hoshangabad, his district. It had been 30 years ; it was now 12. When it came under Britain, the Government took Rs. 2,56,600 ; it rose :after 20 years to Rs. 2,70,000. After 30 years it was reduced to Rs. 1,88,000, as the people could not pay, and was again reduced to Rs. 1,68,000. During the last 30 years, it rose, Avith cesses, to Rs. 4,87,944, and at the current Settlement to Rs. 9,30,257. In 1893-94, under the last. Government took as tax Rs. 4,87,000 out of Rs. 1 1,33,000, rents paid by tenants, leaving Rs. 6,46,000 to the Malguzars. In 1896, the re-Settlement, the tenant-rents were Rs. 11,42,000, and the Government took Rs. 9,30,000, leaving only THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 457 Rs. 2,12,000. Mr. Desmukh added a few words on the land policy of Lord Curzon, " destructive to the people and suicidal to the Grovernment/' and the Resolution was carried. Mr. G. Subraraania Iyer moved, Mr. Baikuntha- nath Sen seconded, and Pandit Ramanath supported, Resolution XV, conveying the thanks of the Congress for his services in England to Mr. Grokhale, who answered in a short speech, when the great ovation which greeted him had subsided, saying what strong hope he felt from the advent of the new Govern- ment to power, with a democratic House of Commons. Then the Hon. Mr. D. A. Khare moved Resolution XVI, containing a Constitution for the Congress, to be tried for a year ; it recommended (a) the formation of Provincial Congress Committees, which should form District Committees ; {h) An All-India Congress Standing Committee; (c) two alternative schemes for selecting a President ; and (d) A Subjects Committee for settling the programme of the Congress each year. Four members spoke supporting it and it was carried, the delegates from each Province being asked to send up names for the All-India Committee. Most of this was incorporated in the Constitution framed in 1908. A vote of thanks to the President was proposed by Mr. Lai Mohan Ghose, and he was garlanded and bestrewn with flowers amid thunders of applause. A Swadeshi umbrella from Poona was unfurled and held over him for a moment, and then he said a few words of thanks. He reminded them that, in its 22nd Session, the Congress had placed before itself a 458 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM definite goal — Self-Government^ Swaraj. Now it was for the younger generation to reach it. The Hon. Mr. Chitnavis invited the Congress to Nagpur, for its 1907 meeting, and the Twenty-second National Congress " dispersed amidst scenes of the wildest enthusiasm and rejoicings ". Alas ! Coercion was to do its deadly work during the approaching year. The seeds sown by Lord Curzon were to ripen into their harvest of dragon- teetli. The strongest and furthest-sighted men were to hold to their old ideals of constitutional work and steady progress. Others, maddened by the repressive measures adopted, were to cause a partition worse than that of Lord Curzon, a division of the National Party, one part holding to the group that refused to despair of appealing to the House of Commons, and the other which became frankly antagonistic to all co-operation with the British Government. And beyond these, loomed up the Anarchist Party with the bomb and revolver for its methods, the incarnation of blind hatred, without constructive policy, the mad efforts of lads, dreaming of winning Liberty for their country, and succeeding only in committing a few useless crimes. In the scales of History shall all these be weighed. Government, Moderates, Extre- mists, Anarchists, and to each shall be assigned their own place. RESOLUTIONS Condolence I. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of the great loss wliich the Congress and the country at large have sustained by the death of Mr. W. C. Bonnerji, THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 459 Mr. Justice Budruddin Tyabji, and Mr. Ananda Mohan Bose, ex-Presidents of the Congres-s, and Mr. M. Viraraghava Chariar of Madras. Their great public services and the extimple of duty and of self-sacrificing devotion which they presented in their lives entitle them to the lasting gratitude of the country ; That a copy of the foregoing Resolution be forwarded to the families of the late Messrs. Bannerji, Tyabji, Bose, and M. Viraraghava Chariar, over the signature of the President of the Congress. Indians in the Colonies II. Resolved— That this Congress, while noting with satis- faction the action of the Impei-ial Grovernment in disallowing for the present the proposed Ordinnnce against British Indians in the Transvaal, desires to give exiiression to its grave apprehension that unless the Imperial Government continues to extend its firm protection to the British Indian Community, the policy of the Ordinance is almost certain to be enforced as soon as arrangements under the Constitution recently granted are completed ; That this Congress also places on record its sense of deep regret and indignation that the people of this country should be subjected to harassing nnd degrading restrictions and denied the ordinary rights of British citizenship in His Majesty's Colonies, and the Congress expresses its firm conviction that such a policy is fraught with serious danger to the best interests of the Empire. Finance III. Resolved — That this Congress renews its protest against the excessive and alarming growth of military charges in recent years and their undue prei^onderance in the public expenditure of the country ; That this Congress is of ojiinion that, as the military expenditure of the country is determined, not solely by its own military needs and requirements, but also by the exigencies of British supremacy and British policy in the East, it is only fair that a reasonable share of such expenditure should be borne by the British Exchequer ; That this Congress strongly urges that by a substantial reduction of military expenditure and by the steady substitution of the Indian for the European agency in the Public Service, funds should be set free to be devoted to the promotion of education in all its branches, to improve sanitation and to the relief of the ryot's burdens, such as a furtlier reduction of the Salt-tax, a reduction of the Land Revenue demand of the State, and measures for dealing with agricultural indebtedness. 460 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE TEEEDOM Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions IV. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress the separation of the Judicial from the Executive functions, which is admittedly necessary in the interests of crood government and sound judicial administration, should no longer be deferred. Yalidity of Wakf-i-ala-aulad V. Resolved — That in view of the general opinion ammigst Muhammadans that the recent decisions of the Privy Council against the validity of the " wakf-i-ala-aulad " are against the Muhammadan Law, this Congress is of opinion that a Commission should be appointed by the Government to enquire whether the Privy Council has not erred in its decisions, having regard to the law, usage and sentiments of the Muhammadan people ; and, if it be found that the decisions are erroneous, this Congress urges that steps should be taken to give legal effect to the right view. Partition of Bengal VI. Resolved — That this Congress again records its emphatic protest against the Partition of Bengal, and regrets that the present Government, while admitting that there wei-e errors in the original plan, and that it went wholly and decisively against the wishes of the majority of the people of Bengal, is disposed to look ujDon it as a settled fact, in spite of the earnest and persistent pi-otest of the people, and their manifest disinclination to accept it as final ; That this Congress, composed of representatives from all the Provinces of this country, desires earnestly to impress upon the British Parliament and the present Liberal Government that it will be not only just, but expedient, to reverse or modify the Partition in such a manner as to keep the entire Bengali-speaking community under one undivided administration, and thus restore contentment to so important a Province as Bengal. Boycott Movement Vn. Resolved — That having regard to the fact that the people of this country have little or no voice in its administration, and that their representations to the Government do not receive due considei-ation, this Congress is of opinion that the Boycott Movement inaugurated in Bengal by way of protest against the Partition of that Province, was, and is, legitimate. Swadeshi VIII. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi movement, and calls upon the people of the country to labour for its success, by making earnest and sustained efforts to jironiote the growth of indigenous industries and to stimulate the production of indigenous articles by giving them i)reference over imjjorted commodities even at some sacrifice. THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 461 Self-Government IX. Resolv^ed — That this Congress is of opinion that the system of Government obtaining in the Self-Governing British Colonies should be extended to India, and that, as steps leading to it, it urges that the following reforms should be immediately carried out: («) All examinations held in England only should be simultaneously held in India and in England, and that all higher appointments which are made in India should be by competitive examination only ; (b) The adequate representation of Indians in the Council of the Secretary of State and the Executive Coiincils of the Viceroy, and of the Governors of Madras and Bombay ; (c) The expansion of the Supreme and Provincial Legislative Councils, allowing a larger and truly effective representation of the people and a larger control over the financial and executive administration of the country ; (d) The powers of Local and Municipal bodies should be extended and official control over them should not be more than what is exercised by the Local Govei-nment Board in England over similar bodies. Education X. Resolved — That this Congress repeats its protest against the policy of the Government in respect of High and Secondary Education, as being one of officialising the governing bodies of the Universities, and restricting the spread of education. This Congress is of opinion that the Government should take immediate steps for (1) making Primary Education free and gradually compulsory, all over the country, (2) assigning larger sums of money to Secondary Education (special encoui-agement being given where necessary to educationally backward classes), (3) making the existing Universities more free from official control, and providing them with sufficient means to take up the work of teaching, and (4) making adequate provision for Technical Education in the different Provinces, having regard to local requirements. National Education XI. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived for the people all over the country earnestly to take up the question of National Education, for both boys and girls, and organise a system of education — Literary, Scientific and Technical — suited to the requirements of the country, on National lines and under National control. 462 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Thanks of Congress XII. Resolved — Tliat this Congress desires to convey to Sir William. Wedderburn, Bart., and the other members of the British Committee, its most grateful thanks, for their disinterested services in the cause of India's political advancement. XV. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of high appreciation of the eminent public service rendered by the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale, C.I.E., during his recent visit to England, as the Delegate of the Congress. Condolence XIII. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of the deep sorrow and of loss to India of the sudden death of the Rt. Hon. Mr. Samuel Smith, and that a copy of the foregoing resolution be communicated to the members of his family. Permanent Settlement XIV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the prosperity of an agricultural country like India cannot be secured without a definite limitation of the State demand on land, such as was proposed by Lord Canning in 1862, or by Lord Ripon in 1882; and it regrets that Lord Curzon, in his Land Resolution of 1902, failed to recognise the necessity of any such limitation and declined to accept the suggestions of Sir Richard Garth and other memorialists in the matter. The Congress holds that a reasonable and definite limitation of the State demand is the true remedy for the growing impoverishment of the agricultural population. This Congress respectfully pi'otests against the view that the Land Revenue in India is not a tax, but is in the nature of rent. Congress Work XVI. Resolved — That this Congress adopts tentatively for one year the follo-fting recommenflations of the Standing Committee of the Congress ajjjjointed at Benares last year : 1. Vrovinciul Congress Committees (a) The Committee recommends that each Province should organise at its capital, a Provincial Congx'esis Committee in such manner as may be determined at a meeting of the Provincial Conference, or at a special meeting, held for the purpose, of representatives of different districts in the Province. (h) The Provincial Congi-ess Committee should act for the Province in all Congress matters and it should be its special care to THE TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS 463 organise District Associations throughout the Province for sustained and continuous political work in the Province. 2. Central Standing Congress Committee The Committee recommends that the Congress should appoint every year a Central Standing Committee for all India, to carry out the Resohations of the Congress, and to deal with urgent questions that may arise and which may require to be disposed of in the name of the Congress, and that this Committee should consist of : 12 members from Bengal, Behar, Assam and Burma 8 „ „ Madras 8 ,, ,, Bombay 6 ,, ,, United Provinces 6 ,, ,, Panjab 4 ,, ,, Central Provinces 2 ,, ,, Berar the President of the year and the General Secretaries being, ex officio, members in addition. 3. Selection of President In the matter of the selection of President in future years, the Committee recommends that the following scheme should be adopted : The Provincial Congress Committee of the Province in which the Congress is to be held should organise a Reception Committee in such manner as it deems proper for making arrangements for the Congress Session, and the choice of the President should, in the first instance, rest with the Reception Committee, if, after consulting Provincial Congress Committees, the Reception Committee is able to make the choice by a majority of at least three-fourths of its members. If, however, no such majority can be obtained to support the nomination of any person, the question should be referred to the Central Standing Committee of the Congress, and the decision of this Committee should be final. 4. Subjects Committee The Committee recommends that the Subjects Committee, appointed at each Session of the Congress to settle its programme of work, should consist of : 2.5 representatives of Bengal, Behar, Assam and Burma 1.5 „ „ Madras 15 „ „ Bombay 10 ,, United Provinces 10 „ „ Panjab 6 ,, ,, Central Provinces 4 ,. ,, Berar 464 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM and 10 additional members for the Province in which the Congress is held, elected by the delegates attending the Congress from the respectiv-e Provinces in such manner as they may deem proper; and that the President of the year, the Chairman of the Eeception Committee of the year, all ex-Presidents and all ex-Chairmen of Eeception Committees who may be present at the Congress, the General Secretaries of the Congress, and the local Secretaries of the Congress for the year, should, in addition, be ex-officio members of the Subjects Committee. Formal XVII. Eesolved — That the next Congress assemble at Nagpur. CHAPTER XXIIT PART I We come to the saddest episode in the stoiy of the Congress, the split in the National party. The invitation to ISTagpar for the Congress of 1907 had been accepted by the Calcutta Congress, but some local disagreements having supervened, which made the holding .of the Congress there difficult, if not impossible, the All-India Congress Committee, elected under the tentative Constitution passed at Calcutta, decided that the Twenty-third National Congress should be held at Surat, and ^ome historic French gardens on the banks of the Tapti, forming French territory, were taken, and a charming city of tents was made with a large Pavilion. The whole country Avas in a state of turmoil and excitement, and the signs of cleavage of the National party into Right and Left Wings, indicated in the last chapter, had grown marked. Yet all seemed well as the delegates poured in from all sides, some 1,600 in all ; but no list of them seems to have survived. Dr. Rash Behari Ghose had been duly elected President of the Congi-ess under the tentative 37 466 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Constitution of 1906, and tlie first sign of dis- cord was the suggestion that Lala La j pat E.ai, just released after his deportation, should be elected as President, as a protest against his unfair treatment by the Government. That staunch patriot, however, refused to be made into a battle-flag, and absolutely declined to be elected President in so irregular a fashion. Then a rumour spread that the four mili- tant Pesolutions of the Calcutta Congress, on Self-Government, Boycott, Swadeshi and National Education, were not to be put before the Subjects Committee. Whence the rumour came, none knew, but rumours rise and spread easily in an excited crowd. The Congress met on December 26th, 1907, and the Pandal, holding 7,000 people, was packed. The Presi- dent-elect received an enthusiastic ovation, a few cries of hostility being drowned in the roar of cheering. The Chairman of the Reception Committee, Mr. Tribhuvan Das Malvi, welcomed the delegates in a short speech, of which the most noteworthy passage referred to tne sad condition of the country : Since the Congress met last .year, we have passed through very troublous times indeed. Eminent Indians have been seriously suspected of and charged with the highest offences against the State, exciting sedition, rioting and the like, in most cases without justification. Somehow the idea became prevalent among tlie I'uling class that the present year, being the 50th year since the Indian Mutiny, Indians were preparing for a similar revolt, and a sort of panic seized them. To check this imaginary revolt all sorts of repressive and re-actionary measures were taken. Old obsolete enactments, of the ■existence whereof even no one ever dreamed, were brought into requisition for the purpose of pnnislijing people for THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 467 undefined offences assumed to have been fommitted, without giving any notice to the victims of the cliarges laid at their doors, or giving them an opportunity of meeting those charges. The people in certain localities were assumed to harbour treasonable intentions, and meetings were prohibited in those districts, at first for a time, and we have now a very dangerous statute in the shape of the Seditious Meetings Act, capable of general application throughout the country by a notification in the Government Gazette, thrust upon as. It is all this coercive legislation, with the revival of the old wicked laws which place every man's liberty at the mercy of a frightened official, which renders intelligible the attitude of the Left Wing, that nothing but opposition to a Grovernment which stoops to such measures is consistent with self-respect, or oifers any prospect of relief. Dewan Bahadur Ambalal S. Desai proposed Dr. Rash Beiiari Ghose as President. Beyond some cries of " No, Xo," there was little interruption, but a tumult broke out when the old favourite of the Con- gress, Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, arose to second. The party of shouters seems to have been small, about 30 according to The Statesman, but they made so much noise, aided by the shouts of " Order " of the vast majority, that it was impossible to hear Mr. Bannerji, and the Chairman adjourned the meeting till the next day, hoping hot feelings would die down. The Congress met again on the 27th, and the warm greeting of a huge majority showed the feeling of the delegates. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji finished his speech. Pandit Motilal Nehru supported his proposal, and Dr. Rash Beliari Ghose was elected, and took the 468 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM chair ainid vociferous applause. Mr. B. G. Tilak then came to the platform and said he wished to move an amendment^ either about an adjournment, or to the Presidential election. An argument ensued. Mr. Tilak attempted to address the delegates, who refused to listen to him, upholding the authority of the President, who had ruled him out of order. The platform was charged by men armed with sticks, a heavy shoe was flung at and struck Sir Pherozeshah Mehta and Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, the President declared the meeting adjourned, and the police cleared the Hall — a sad page in the glorious history of the Congress ; but the Congress was saved by the statesmanlike action of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Mr. Gokhale, Mr. D. E. Wacha, Dr. Eash Behari Ghose, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Mr. V. Krishnaswami Iyer, and many others. They met, and drew up the folloM'ing notice, call- ing a National Convention on the next day, December 28th : The 23rd Indian National Congress having been suspended sine die under painful circumstances, the under- signed have resolved with a view to the orderly conduct of fiature political work in the country to call a Conven- tion of those delegates to the Congress who are agreed : (1) That the attainment by India of Self-Govern- ment similar to that enjoyed by the Self-Governing mem- bers of the British p]nipire, and participation by her in the rights and responsibilities of the Empire on equal terms with tliosc members is the goal of our political aspirations. ■ (2) That the advance towai'ds this goal is to be by strictly constitutional means, b}' bringing about a steady THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGEESS 469 reform of the existing system of administration, and by promoting- N"ational Unity, fostering public spirit, and im- proving the condition of the mass of the people. (3) And that all meetings held for the promotion of the aims and objects above indicated have to be conducted in an orderly manner, with due submission to the authority of those that are entrusted with the power to control their procedure, and the}^ are requested to attend at 1 p.m. on Saturday the 28th of December, 1907, in the Pandal lent for the purpose by the working Committee of the Reception Committee of the 23rd Indian National Congress. Signed : Rash Behaki Ghose Norendkanath Sen Pherozeshah M. Mehta Ambalal Sakeral Desai Surendranath Bannerji Y. Krishnaswami Iyer G. K. GoKHALE Tribhovandas N. Malvi D. E. Wacha Madan Mohan Malaviya And many others. Over 900 of the delegates subscribed to the above and attended the meeting. If the Congress was not to be slain by violence, some one had to act, and the delegates who originally signed the notice sprang into the breach. The approval of a large majority of the delegates present legitimatised the calling of the Convention, and, if a majority is to rule, the Con- vention was the child of the 23rd National Congress. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta proposed Dr. Rash Behari Ghose to the chair. The motion was seconded by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, and supported by Lala Lajpat Rai and others. It was carried nnanimously, and Dr. Rash Behari, taking the chair, called on Mr. Gokhale to move the Resolution appointing a Com- mittee to draw up a Constitution for the Congress. 470 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. Gokliale moved over a liundred names of leading Congressmen present ; DeAvan Bahadur Govinda- raghava Aiyar seconded, Mr. A. Clioudlmri supported. It was carried unanimously, Sir Pherozesliah ]\[elita, Messrs. Gokliale and Waclia were appointed Secretaries, and Dr. Ghose dissolved the Convention, the bridge which carried the Congress from its old system to the new. It has been said that the Surat riot shows the un- fitness of Indians for Self-Government ; it seems to us that the quickness of recovery, the prompt action, the business-like procedure, were far better proofs of their fitness than the conducting of peaceable meetings. To meet an unexpected emergency, to grapple with it, and to secure the continuity of the Congress showed statesmanship and judgment, and we should like to know what better procedure could have been followed. The Convention Committee met at Allahabad on the 1 8th and 19th of April, 1908, and dreAv up a Constitu- tion for the Indian National Congress. They also drew up a set of Rules for the conduct of meetings. Articles I and IT arc the vital ones, and run as follows : Article I. — The objects of tlvo Indian National Congress are the attainment by the people of India of a system of Government similar to that enjoyed by the Self-Governing Members of the liritisli Empire, and a participation by them in the rights and responsibilities of tlie Empire on equal terms with those members. These objects are to be acliieved by constitutional means, by bringing about a steady reform of the existing system of administration, and liy promoting national unity, fostering public spirit, and developing and organising the intellectual, moral, economic and industrial resources of the countrv. THE TWENTY-THIRU CONGRESS 471 [This is the famous " Creed ".] Article II. — Every delegate to the Indian National Congress shall express in writing his acceptanne of the Objects of the Congress as laid down in Article I of this Constitution, and his willingness to abide by this Constitution, and by the Rules of the Congress hereto appended. The Madras Congress of 1908 was held undtn- this Constitution, which was formally laid on the table. This Constitution, with the Rules, was submitted to the Congress at Allahabad in 1910, and a Resolution was there passed referring various proposed amend- ments to a Sub-Committee, which was ordered to report before the end of October, 1911, the report tO' be laid before the Congress of that year. It was sO' laid, and was further amended and adopted by the Congress of Calcutta in 1911; it was still further amended, and passed as amended, by the Congress of Bankipur in 1912. They thus became the Congress Constitution and Rules, being accepted by the body which is the only National Congress in the field, and is accepted as the National Congress in India, and in the whole world outside India. A few adherents of the Stuarts may deny that the acts which placed the Gruelphs on the British Throne were constitutional, but the controversy is academi- cal. The succession of the Guelphs is ^ fait accompli. So with the National Congress. It was, it is, and it will be. Most Indians are grateful to the majority, who foiled the revolution of 1907, and carried on the succession. "Law is silent amid the clash of arms." 472 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM They did the best they could under ahnormal circum- stances, and the JSTation, by continuing to send up its delegates year after year, has confirmed their action. An attempt to find a path of reconciliation was made in 1914, and failed. By whose fault it is once more idle to dispute. The Congress, however, appoint- ed a Committee to consider amendments to the present rule under which the Left Wing refuses to come in. At the time of writing, the Committee has not met, but if it make any amendment, and the Con- gress approve it and the Left Wing accept it, it can only be acted on in 1916. Practical politicians work from the statua quo, and the Congress door is open to all who accept its present Constitution. It would seem reasonable for the Left Wing to imitate the Irish party, who, while denouncing the Act of Union on the platform, accepted it as a fait accompli in politics, came in under it into the Houses of Parliament, and then proceeded to fight for Home Hule. That is the democratic way of carrying on political battles. Above all, in meetings, where a President has been duly elected, as at Surat, his ruling must be obeyed, otherwise the meeting, as at Surat, becomes a mob. The sine qua non of a Demo- cracy is order, under laws made by itself. Dr. Rash Behari Ghose had been elected under the tentative Constitution of 1906, passed by the Avhole Congress, and no one had any right to challenge it. That Avas the primary unconstitutional action, out of which the furtlier trouble grew ; the Congress, adjourned by THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 473 him as President, met under him again at Madras, still the 23rd Congress, composed of a crowd of the same delegates and of others added to them by the Nation, the final Court of Appeal, thus preserving the succession. PART II The Twenty-third National Congress, adjourned at Surat, met at Madras, on the 28th, 29th and 30th December, 1908. The Pandal had been erected in the Elphinstone Grounds, Mount Road ; it met under the Constitution and Rules drawn up by the Com- mittee appointed by the National Convention at Sui-at, and the signing of Article I was necessary for admission as a delegate. 626 delegates attended, distributed as follows : I Madras 404 Bombay 134 United Bengal 36 U. P 23 C. P. and Berar 18 Pan jab 7 Burma 4 626 Dewan Bahadur K. Krishnaswami Rao, CLE., the Chairman of the Reception Committee, after welcoming the delegates, said a few words on the reforms proposed by Lord Morley, on which the opinion of Congress should be expressed. For the first time they met under a Constitution, drawn up by the Committee appointed at Surat ; Mr. Hume, 474 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Sir William Wedderbnrn and Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji had approved both the Constitution and the Rules, l)ut they were of course subject to modification by the Congress. In concluding, the Chairman expressed the grief of India for the loss of two great men, Rai Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu, C. I. E., and Sir V. Bhashyam Iyengar, C. I. E. He called on Nawab Syed Muhammad to move that the Hon. Rash Behari Ghose take the Chair. The Nawab Sahab proposed the motion, which was seconded by Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar, support- ed by Sir Bhalchandra Krishna and carried by tumultuous applause. The President began by alluding to the Surat trouble, and justifying the course taken to preserve the Congress. Turning to the condition of India, he spoke of the " succession of repressive laws, and deportations under a lawless law " as sapping the most robust optimism ; but now the clouds had broken, and representative Government was to J)e granted, and Indians were to " have an effective voice in directing the policy of the Government ". " We shall now have something like a constitutional Government in the place of an autocratic and irresponsible adminis- tration." Some unfortunate repressive laws had been passed, with the natural result of secret crime ; that which happened in other countries happened in India, and a feAv began to dally with treason. " Coercion and even the appearance of coercion tend to create only distrust and suspicion." There had been during the year some twenty prosecutions for sedition, and THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 475 as many convictions^ and when feeling runs liigh every editor or speaker convicted of sedition is regarded as a martyr. Sedition was a vague offence, and might be made to cover any political agitation. In India, where a man tried for sedition had not the defence of a jury, " a prosecution can only be justified when the public peace is imperilled by wild writ- ings or speeches ". He hoped that, ere long, a successor of his in that chair would " be able to congratulate the country on the repeal of Regulation III of 1818, a barbarous relic from the past — an un- weeded remnant which ought to have been extirpated long long ago ". [Dr. Grhose refers to the odious lettre de cachet system, which still stains our legisla- tion. But we are not likely to get rid of it till we have Home Rule. Autocracy does not readily part with its unconstitutional weapons.] The President looked forward to the day when a successor should announce the gaining of Self-Govern- ment, but he thought it far off : A younger generation will take up the work, who will, I trust, have some kindly thoughts for those who too, in their day, strove to do their duty, however imperfectly, through good report and through evil report, with, it may be, a somewhat chastened fervour, but, I may say without boasting, a fervour as genuine as that which stirs and inspires younger hearts. The delegates were then asked to elect their delegates for the Subjects Committee, and the Con- gress adjourned. The second day opened with the reading of a message from Mr. Keir Hardie, brought by Dr. Clark, M.P., who had come as a delegate. 476 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM The President then moved Resolution I, tendering loyal homage to the King-Emperor, and respectfully welcoming the message of His Majesty, confirming the Proclamation of 1858. The Resolution was carried amid loud applause. Resolution II, expressing the deep satisfaction with which Lord Morley's Despatch, outlining the Reform proposals, had been received, and hoping that the Reforms would be worked out in the liberal spirit in which they had been conceived, was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji. He said that in the early days they had only asked for a little expansion of the Legislative Councils, but now things had changed; Asia was throbbing with new life ; Japan had become a World-Power ; China and Persia were seeking re- presentative institutions. India hoped the Reforms would widen out in the future. In Bengal there M'^as a growing feeling of the uselessness of constitutional agitation, since no efforts had availed to get rid of the Partition, but he still clung to constitutional means. And they should all welcome these Reforms, as a message of conciliation. They would be able to do something under the new conditions. In Bengal nine respectable men had been deported : To arrest nine respectable persons, to snatrli tliem away from their families and detain them in prison without a complaint or a charge, and without affording them the opportunity of explanation or defence is a proceeding abhorrent to minds wedded to constitutional methods of procedure and to the canons of law and justice. Under the proposed Reforms they would at least be able in such cases to challenge the Government I THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 477 in the Council. The Eules to be framed under the scheme were all-important. They might make it successful, or bring about its total failure. The Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya seconded the Resolution, expressing their warm gratitude for the instalment of Reform offered to them, though it did not go as far as they wished. Let nobody imagine the Reforms were final. They must ask for more and more. Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar supported, and pointed to the definite gains in the proposals made. Dewan Bahadur L. A. Govindaraghava, in view of the opposition to Lord Morley in England, thought they should express their view that the pi'oposals were conceived in a generous spirit ; the Reforms were substantial though not large. Lala Harkishan Lai and Mr. Jehangir B. Petit supported, the latter laying stress on the work done in England by Mr. Gokhale. Mr. M. A. Jinnah, the Rev. Dr. R. A. Hume, Pandit Gokarannath Misra and Dr. Clark also supported, the latter expressing the hope — doom- ed to failnre^ — that they might in the next Congress be as pleased with the Act as they were with the outline of the proposals. " The Russian bureaucrat had got to go ; the Turkish bureaucrat has got to go ; the Indian bureaucrat has got to go also. ... If the bureaucrat is bad in Europe, he is bad here also." The Resolution was carried. The President then put from the Chair Resolution. Ill, expressing detestation of the deeds of violence committed, and it was carried. 478 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution JY brought up once again the ill-treat- ment of British Indians in South Africa. [It will be noticed that under the rule of another Nation, no grievance is redressed without years of agitation and pleading, if redressed at all. Hence the constant repetition of the same Resolutions.] It was moved by Mr. Mushir Hasan Kidwai, who had been elected as delegate of the Johanneslnirg British Indian Asso- ciation and the Hamidia Islamic Society there to the Congress and the All-India Muslim League, to represent their wrong's. He made an admirable and forcible speech. The passion of earth -hunger has been on Europe for a long time past and there is hardly a corner of the world where the white man has not penetrated and which he would not like to make his own. Will the whole world then become the white man's and all the coloured men have to move away from it ? If the Transvaal is to be dubbed a white man's country, why should not then also Egypt, or India, or Algiers ? I fail to see, gentlemen, the logic of this arbitrary theory that a white man's country should be a forbidden land foi- coloured men. Nor would the argument that the Indians should not be allowed to live in a country in which Europeans also live because they lower the standard of living, hold water for a moment. The necessary corollary of that proposition would be, that Asiatics may object to Europeans and Americans living in their midst, as their influence and example would lead them to live in a style unsuited to the circumstances of their country. Would the Europeans leave Asia on the ground that the coloured man's continent ought to remain the coloured man's continent ? The more you raise the standard of living, the more you increase pauperism. In India the poor people who could live comfortaVjly on an income of Rs. 2 a month have now to starve on tluit income, thanks to the raising of the standard of living. I do not know what THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 479 western moralists would say, but an Eastern would unhesitatinglj^ prefer an all-round low standard of living, if it would render the ordinary comforts of life accessible in a larger degree to the poor masses and make a slender income suffice for a respectable living. My standard of living, for instance, is higher than was that of my grandfather, but when I go to my people and my tenants, and see them struggling hard for their very existence, living in worse houses than they iised to and on less sufficient food, I stand self-condemned for the selfish folly of spending more on my own living than I might. He caustically said : Just imagine what any section of the Europeans re- sident in China would do, if they were put to similar worrying insults by the Chinese Government. Mv. C. Y. Chintamani, in seconding, pointed to the effect on the public mind in India of the continued ill-treatment of Indians in Boutli Africa. The Re- solution was supported by Mr. Ibrahim Noordien Muquadam, Dr. U. L. Desai, Mr. G. K. Gadgil, and Dr. Clark, M. P., and carried. The Hon. Mr. Krishnan Nair moved Resolution V, appealing for the reversal of the Partition of Bengal, and it was seconded by Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, from whom we must cull one paragraph which is always true of Indian as of other despotisms : As regards new facts, well, they are painfully in evidence in the unrest which is surging from one end of the country to the other, and marking its ravages both in Upper India as well as in the Deccan, and latterly in the ugly developments which have disgraced the Indian public and -blotted the Indian administration. Violence and lawlessness we hate ; anarchism we detest. But it seems impossible nci to feel the force of the circumstance which has given monstrous birth to the insane bomb- maker. And, gentlemen, what has been the remedy 480 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM applied to this state of things — Repression, Repression, and nothing but Repression. But, gentlemen, if anarch- ism has in every age and in every country failed to achieve the salvation of any people, repression has likewise no- "ivhere succeeded in restoring peace and order, and in this country repression has so far only succeeded in converting prison-houses into martyrdoms. How long, oh, how long, will this intolerable state of things continue ? If the Partition is a settled fact, the unrest in India is also a settled fact, and it is for Lord Morley and the Government of India to decide which should be unsettled to settle the question. The Resolution was supported by Messrs. Dharm- das Suri, Harichandra A^ishindas, and was carried. Resolution VI accorded the cordial support of the Congress to the Swadeshi movement^ and was moved by Mr. Dipnarrain Singh, who pointed out that the Muhammadan weavers -in Bengal had, that year, been able to resist the famine because of the move- ment. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. K. Perrazu, supported by Messrs. Iswara Saran, G. K. Chitale, R. V. Mahajani and carried. Mr. V. V. Jogiah moved Resolution VII, a protest against the imposition of new Military charges on India, the latest of £300,000, on the recommendation of the Romer Commission, the Report of which the Government refused to lay on the table of the House. He noted the growth of the expenditure, from nearly 11 crores and odd in 1857 to nearly 32 and odd in 1906-07. Pandit Rambhaja Datta Choudhuri formally seconded, the Resolution was carried, and the Con- gress rose. The third day's proceedings began Avith an invita- tion to a garden party from the Raja of Kollengode, THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 481 and a telegram from South Africa, nearly 2,000 Indians having suffered imprisonment in the Trans- vaal. Then came our old Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions, as Resolution VIII, moved by Dr. Satish Chandra Bannerji, seconded by Mr. E,. Sadagopachariar, supported by Messrs. Bishunpada Chatterji and Govindarao Apaji Patil, and carried. Pandit Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri moved Resolu- tion IX, asking that the army might be thrown open to Indians in its higher grades. It was seconded by Mr. Narayana Menon, supported by Mr. Govinda Shai Sharma and carried. Next came Resolution X, demanding the repeal of the Bengal Regulation III of 1818, and other similar Regulations in other Provinces, and asking that the recently deported persons might be given an opportunity of meeting the charges made against them, or else be set at liberty. Mr. Syed Hasan Imam moved the Resolution, the necessity for which was, and still is, a disgrace to British rule in India. The speaker, after showing that there were no circumstances which justified the seizure of peaceable citizens and dragging them away from their homes without charge or trial, spoke of the nine recent arrests and of the previous arrest of Lala Lajpat Rai. " Unexplained deportations shook the faith of the most loyal in the justice of a law that hides its proceedings from public gaze.^' Babu Bhupendranath Basu seconded, as a close personal friend of some of those deported ; they were his fellow-workers for- many years. " Are we to be imprisoned, are we to 38 482 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM be deported, are we to be arrested, without being given even an opportunity of explaining our conduct ? " There had been lately the Midnapore trial, where elderly men, some of the highest men in Indian Society, had been thrown into prison, and when they were brought to trial it was found that " the whole prosecution under which the men were subjected to indescribable ignominy was based upon the informa- tion of a drunken debauchee picked up in the streets of Midnapore," information that had to be abandoned. Mr. P. L. Raj Pal supported in a few words, and then Dr. Tej Bahadur Saprn pointed out that in no other country in the British Empire did such a law exist as that which they desired to be repealed. The spirit of it was against tlie very first principles of English jurispru- dence, and it is opposed to all the ti^aditions of the English Constitution. 1 would go further, and say that it constitutes a very great menace to our liberty. It stands hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles. The Resolution was put and carried. Resolution XI expressed the hope that Acts VII and XIV of 1908 would not long* remain on the Statute Book, and was moved by Mr. P. R. Sundara Aiyar. Act VII allowed the summary attachment of newspaper presses, and Act XIV made it punishable for any person to subscribe to an association that was condemned ; the ■word " know- ingly " was suggested as an amendment before " subscribe," but it Avas rejected. If such legislation were necessary, it should only be passed for a short THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGEESS 483 period, and brought up for renewal if the necessity continued, as in Ireland. Mr. 8. Sinha seconded, Mr. M. Ramchand supported, and the Resolution was passed. The President put froui the Chair Resolution XII, on legislation in the Central Provinces and Behar, Carried. Mr. C. Karunakara Menon moved Resolution XIII, asking for an enquiry into the causes of the high prices of food-stuifs. It was seconded by Mr. A. C. Parthasarathi Xaidu and carried. Resolution XIV, on Education, was nujved by Mr. A. Choudhuri, seconded by Rao Bahadur K. Gr. Desai, supported by Messrs. Paratneshwar Lai and Utamlal Trivedi, and Dr. Nilratan Sircar, and carried. The President put from the Chair Resolution XV, on Permanent Settlement, and XVI, on the loss sustain- ed by the deaths of Messrs. Kalicharan Bannerji, Alfred Webb, Bansilal Singh, Pandit Bishambarnath, and Rao Bahadur P. Ananda Charlu. Both cai-ried. The Hon. Mr. Gokhale then moved Resolution XVII, comprising messages of congratulation to Mr. A. 0. Hume on the Reforms ; and to Sir William Wedderburn on his recovery from serious illness, and thanking him for all his work ; thanking also the British Committee, He made a long and eloquent speech, dwelling on the new responsibilities imposed on them by the Reforms, and on the need to co-oper- ate with Government under the new conditions. The Resolution Avas carried without any further speaking, and Dr. Clark responded. 484 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution XVIII appointed the members of the All-India Congress Committee ; Resolution XIX thanked the Reception Committee; and XX appoint- ed Messrs. D. E. Wacha and the Hon. Mr. D. A. Khare, General Secretaries. Resolution XXI accepted Lahore for the meeting of the Congress in 1909. Then the Hon. Mr. V. Krishnaswami Aiyar moved a vote of thanks to the President and Dr. (rhose responded ; lie sounded a note of warning, for since his presidential speech news had come from England of tlie gathering of ominous clouds in the political sky. Our enemies — did 1 say our enemies ? I ought to have said the enemies of the English people, the enemies of English rule in India, are trying to thwart Lord Morley's Reform scheme. It is therefore our dut_y to make organised efforts here, as well as in England, to counteract the mischievous action of mischievous bureau- crats, who, even in their retirement, in the very home of free institutions, have not lost their re-actionary instincts. The leopard may change his spots, but there is no hope, take my word for it, for the sun-dried bureaucrat. The fetters are not taken off his mind even in the free atmosphere of England. Once a bureaucrat, always a bureaucrat. The warning proved to be but too true ; the Reforms were spoiled. The Twenty-third National Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS To the King-Emperor I. Resolved — That the Indian National Congress tenders its loyal homage to His Gracious Majesty the King-Emperor and respectfully welcomes the message sent by His Majesty to the Princes and Peoples of India on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the memorable ProclMmati(jn issued in 18.58 by his Illustrious Mother, Victoria the Good. THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 485 That this Congress begs to record its satisfaction that the interpretation placed by it upon the Pledge contained in that " Great Charter" of 1858 has been upheld by His Majesty. That this Congress gratefully welcomes the pronouncement made by His Majesty that the time has come when the principle of representative institutions, which from the first began to be gi-adually introduced in India, may be prudently extended, and that the politic satisfaction of the claim to equality of citizenship and greater share in legislation and government made by important classes in India, representing ideas that have been fostered and encouraged by British Rule, will strengthen, not impair, existing authority and power. That the Congress looks forward with confidence to a steady fulfilment by those in authority under the Crown in letter and in spirit of the pledges and assurances contained in the Great Charter of 1858 and in His Majesty's Message of 1908. Minto-Morley Reforms II. Resolved — That this Congress desires to give expression III the deep and general satisfaction with which the Reform pro- posals formulated in Loi'd Morley's despatch have been received throughout the countrj- ; it places on record its sense of high states- manship which has dictated the action of the Government in the matter, and it tenders to Lord Morley and Lord Minto its most sincere and grateful thanks for their proposals. That this Congress is of opinion that the proposed expansion of the Legislative Councils and the enlargement of their powers and functions, in the appointment of Indian members of the Executive Councils with the creation of such Councils where thej' do not exist, and the further development of Local Self-Governnient, constitute a large and liberal instalment of the reforms needed to give the people of this country a substantial share in the management of their affairs and to bring the administration into closer touch with their wants and feelings. That this Congress expresses its confident hope that the details of the proposed scheme will be worked out in the same liberal spirit in which its main provisions, as outlined in the Secretary of State's despatch, have been conceived. Outrages III. Resolved — That this Coi^gress places on record its emphatic and unqualified condemnation of the detestable outrages and deeds of violence which have been committed recentlj^ in some parts of the country, and which are abhorrent to the loyal, humane and peace-loving nature of His Majesty's Indian subjects of every denomination. 486 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Indians in British Colonies IV. Rpsolvecl — That this Cougress views with the greatest indignation the harsh and Immiliating and cruel treatment to which British Indians, even of the highest respectability and position have been subjected bv the British Colonies in South Africa, and expresses its alarm at the likelihood of such treatment resulting in far-reaching consequences of a mischievous character calculated to cause great injury to the best interests of the British Empire, and trusts that the Imperial Parliament, when granting the new Consti- tution to South Africa, will secure the interests of the Indian inhabitants of South Africa. That this Congress begs earnestly to press upon the Bi-itish Parliament and the Government of India, the desirability of deal- ing with the Self-Governing Colonies in the same manner in which the latter ruthlessly deal with Indian interests, so long as they adhere to the selfish and one-sided policy which they pi'oclaim and practise, and persist in their present coui-se of denying to His Majesty's Indian subjects their just rights as citizens of the Empire. That this Congress, while aAvare of the declaration of responsi- ble statesmen in favour of allowing the Self-Governing Colonies in the British Empire to monopolise vast tracts of undeveloped terri- tories for exclusive white settlements, deems it right to point out tliat the policy of shutting the door and denying the I'ights of full British citizenship to all subjects of the British Crown, while preaching and enforcing the opposite policy in Asia and other parts of the world, is fraught with grave mischief to the Empire and is as unwise as it is unrighteous. Partition of Bengal Y. Resolved — That this Congi-ess earnestly aijpeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India to reverse the Partition of Bengal, or to modify it in such a manner as to keep the entire Bengali-speaking community under one and the same administration. That this Congress is of opinion that the rectification of this admitted error will restore contentmeTit to the Province of Bengal, give satisfaction to the other Provinces, and instead of impairing, will enhance the jjrestige of His Majestj-'s Government throughout the country. Swadeshi \'I. Resolveii — Tliat tliis Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movc^nient, and calls u})on tlie peoj)U' of the couTitry to laljour for its success by making earnest and sustained efforts to promote the growth of industries capable of de\-elopment in the country, and respond to the eiforts of Indian producers by THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 487 giving preference, wherever practicable, to Indian products over imported conamodities, even at a sacrifice. VII. Resolved — -That this Congress enters its emphatic protest against the fresh burden of £:?00,000 which the British War Office has imposed on the Indian Exchequer for military charges on the reconimendation of the Ronier Committee, the proceedings of which the Under-Secretary of State for India has refused to lay on the table of the House of Commons, in conti-avention of previous practice in such matters. That this Congress views with the greatest regret the repeated imposition of military charges by the British War Office on the Indian tax-payer from the date of the Army Amalgaination Scheme of 1859, in regard to which imposition the Government of India has rejjeatedly remonstrated. That this Congress respectfully urges upon the attention of His Majesty's Govenanent the necessity of revising the Army Amalgamation Scheme of 1859 in the light of the experience of the last fifty years, and the desirability of laying down a fair and reasonable principle which shall free the Indian Exchequer froia unjust exactions of this character. IX. Resolved — That this Congress prays that the high recogni- tion of the valour and fidelity of the Indian troops by His Majesty the King-Emperor in his Message to the Princes and Peoples of India should include the throwing open to Indians of higher careers in the Army, from which, as this Congress has repeatedly pointed out, they have been hitherto excluded. Legal VIII. Resolved — That this Congress records its satisfaction that the proposal for the separation of Executive and Judicial functions has received the sanction of the Government in some definite shape for the Province of Bengal ; but is at the same time of opinion that the scheme should also be extended throughout the country, and that it will not succeed in its object unless and until the entire Judicial Service be placed directly and absolutely under the High Court or Chief Court, as the case may be, even in matters of promotion and transfer. Coercion Lettres de cachet X. Resolved — That having regard to the recent deportations, and the grave risk of injustice involved in Government action based upon ex parte and untested information, and having regard to the penal laws of the country, this Congress strongly urges upon the Government the repeal of the Bengal Regulation III of 1818 and 488 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM similar Regulations in other Provinces of India; and it respectfully prays that the persons recently deported in Bengal be given an opportunity of exculpating themselves, or for meeting any charges that may be against them, or be set at libert3% Acts of 1908 XI. Resolved — That this Congress deplores the circumstances which have led to the passing of Act VII of 1908 and Act XIV of 1908, but having regard to their drastic character and to the fact that a sudden emergency alone can afford any justification for such exceptional legislation, this Congress expresses its earnest hope that these enactments will only have a temporary existence in the Indian Statute Book. Provincial Grievances XII. Resolved — That this Congress urges upon the Govern- ment the necessity of: [a) placing in regard to legislative and administrative matters the Province of Berar on the same footing as the Provinces included in British India ; and {h) establishing a Legislative Council for the combined territory of the Ceuti'al Provinces and Berar. High Prices of Food-stuffs XIII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that hav- ing regard to the high prices of food-stuli's for the past several years, and the hardships to which the middle and poorer classes are put thereby, an enquiry should be instituted by Government into the causes of such high prices, with a view to ascertain how far and by what remedies such causes could be removed. Eiducation XIV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the Government should take immediate steps : (a) to make Primary Education free at once and gradually »oompulsory throughout the country, (6) to assign larger sums of money to Secondary and Higher Education (special encouragement being given where necessary to •educate all backward classes), (c) to make adequate provision for imparting Industrial and 'Technical Education in the different Provinces, having regard to local requirements, and ((/) to give effective voice to the leaders of Indian public opinion in shaj)ing the policy and system of Education in this countiy. THE TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS 489 111 the opinion of this Con^'ress the time has arrived for people all over the country to take up earnestly the question of supplementing existing institutions and the efforts of the Govern- ment by organisinsr for themselves an independent system of Literary, Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Education, suited to the conditions of the different Provinces in the country. Permanent Settlement XV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the prosperity of an agricultural country like India cannot be secured without a definite limitation of the State demand on land, and it regrets that Lord Curzon in his Land Resolution of 1902 failed to recognise the necessity of any such limitation, and declined to accept the suggestions of Sir Richard Garth and other memo- rialists on the matter. This Congress holds that in Provinces where the Permanent Settlement does not now exist, a reasonable and definite limitation of the State demand and the introduction of Permanent or a Settlement for a period of not less than sixtj' years, are the only true remedies for the growing impoverishment of the agricultural population. This Congress emphatically protests against the view that the Land Revenue in India is not a tax but is in the nature of rent. Grief of Congress XVI. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of the great loss which the country has sustained in the death of: Mr. Kalicharan Bannerji, Pandit Bishambarnath, Mr. Alfred Webb, Mr. Bunsilal Singh, and Rai Bahadur P. A.nanda Charlii. Congratulations and Thanks XVII. Resolved — (a) That the following message be addressed by the Congress to Mr. A. O. Hume. This Congress sends you its cordial greetings and congratula- tions. The reforms announced by Lord Morley are a partial fruition of the efforts made by the Congress during the last twenty-three years, and we are gratified to think that to you, as its father and founder, they must be a source of great and sincere satisfaction. (b) This Congress offers its sincere congratulations to Sir William Wedderburn, Bart., on his recent recovery from a serious illness and takes this opj)ortunity to give expression to its deep gratitude for the unfiagging zeal and devotion, and the love, 490 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM patience and singleness of purpose with which he has laboured for the Indian cause during the last twenty years, and which has been largely instrumental in securing for Congress' views and representations the favourable considei-ation which they have received in England. (c) This Congress desires to convey to members of the British Committee its grateful thanks for their disinterested and strenuous services in the cause of India's political advancement, XIX. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most hearty thanks for the hospitality with which the Reception Committee has received the delegates and the pei-fection of the arrangements made for their comfort during their stay in Madras. The Congress also thanks the Captain, Lieutenants and Members of the Congress Corps for the trouble they have taken in looking after the comforts of the delegates, and in being ver^' diligent in preserving- order throughout the session. Formal XVIII. Resolved — That the following gentlemen are appointed members of the All-India Congress Committee. (List omitted). XX. Resolved — That Mr. D. E. Wacha and the Hon. Mr. Daji Abaji Khare be appointed General Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXI. Resolved — That the next Congress assemVjle at Lahore. CHAPTER XXIV The Twenty-fourth National Congress met in Lahore, in the Bradlaugh Hall, on the 27th December, 1909. There was a great chill over the countr^y, in con- sequence of the way in which the Minto-Morley Re- forms had been wrecked by the rules made for their carrying out ; the Panjab was restless and sullen ; the number of delegates dropped, to 243, and only 76 came from the Panjab itself ; the Official Report describes the Hall as " fairly well filled ". The delegates were distributed as follows : Madras 20 Bombay (27), Sindh (30) Bengal C. P. and Berar U. P Panjab 57 20 6 64 76 243 Lala Harkishan Lai, the Chairman of the Re- ception Committee welcomed the President-elect and the delegates. His speech was in the minor key, for the Congress had been attacked on all sides ; some said it was disloyal at heart, others that it excited the young and so caused tendencies which 492 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM would lead to violence ; others said its day- was over. The Muslim League and the Hindu Conference had both assailed it. Hence the smallness of their gathering. He condemned the Council Regulations as unjust and impolitic, and disapproved of the Land Legislation embodied in the Acts of 1900, 1905 and 1907. He called on Mr. Surendranath Bannerji to propose that Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya should take the Chair. Surendranath Babu welcomed him as President, as one of the earliest and most devoted of Congressmen ; he remembered him in 1886, when he made his first speech, which marked him out as a future leader, and that promise had been fulfilled. They owed him special thanks, in that though sufi^ering from the eifects of malarial fever, he had stepped forward to fill the vacancy suddenly occurring in the Presidentship of the Congress, an act of devoted self-sacrifice. Mr. G. K. Parekh seconded, Dewan Bahadur L. A. Govindaraghava Aiyar and Raizada Bhagat Ram supported, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya took the Chair amid loud applause. The President alluded to the sudden resignation of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, the duly elected President, only six days before the Congress, and the great disappointment caused. He had had no time for pre- paration, but would try to do his best. They had to mourn the loss of Mr. Lalmohan Ghose and Mr. Romesh Chandra Dutt, and also of that true friend of India, the Marquis of Ripon. I'he President then turned to the total change of feeling among educated THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 493 Indians : at the last Congress they had hailed the Refoi-ms with jo}^ ; the Regulations, issued five weeks before the present Congress, had caused widespread disajDpointment and dissatisfaction. He then sketched the history of the claim for representative Government from 1876, when Messrs. Surendranath Bannerji and Ananda Mohan Bose had established the Indian Association of Calcutta, which had representative Covernment among its objects. The most striking feature of the Reforms was the admission of Indians to the Executive Councils of the Viceroy and of the Governors of Madras and Bombay. The United Provinces, with a population of 48 millions, far larger than either Madras (38 millions) or Bombay (19 millions), was not given an Executive Council. The Regulations had introduced religion into politics, and had differentiated electorates by religious beliefs. Muhammadan minorities were given separate elector- ates and were alloAved also to vote in the general elec- torates, while Hindu minorities in the Panjab and Assam enjoyed no such electorates. Further a Muham- madan who paid an income-tax on Rs. 3,000 a year, money or land revenue, had a vote. But the non- Muhammadan paying on three lakhs of rupees had no vote. Muhammadan graduates of five years stand- ing had a vote; non-Muhammadan graduates of thirty years had none. Again, only members of Municipal and District Boards were eligible to the Provincial Councils. The President pointed out the many other defects, such as the nominations which made the " non-oflicial majority " a farce, except in 494 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Bengal, thanks to Sir Edward Baker. He then spoke on a number of other questions, expressed the deep sorrow of the Congress for the murders of Sir William Curzon-Wylie, Dr. Lalkaha and Mr. Jackson, and for the attempt on the life of the V^iceroy, condemned the deportations, the Partition of Bengal, and the Panjab Land Alienation Act. Pie concluded a fine speech — when did Pandit Madan Mohan speak otherwise than finely 't — by defending the Congress, and depre- cating sectarianism, and then moved from the Chair the first three Resolutions, grieving for the loss of Messrs. Lalmohan Ghose and Romesh Chandra Dntt, and for that of the Marquis of Ripon, and thanking the Government for appointing the Hon. Sir S. P. Sinha a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council, and the Right Hon. Mr. Amir Ali a member of the Privy Council. The delegates from each Province were then re- quested to elect the Subjects' Committee, and the Congress adjourned. On the second day the first place was given to the Regulations under the India Council Act of 1909, and Mr. Surendranath Bannerji moved Resolution lY, embodying the Congress view. It ran : That this Congress while gratefully appi^eciating the earnest and arduous endeavours of Lord Morley and Loi^d Minto in extending to the people of this country a fairly liberal measure of constitutional reforms, as now embodied in the India Councils' Act of 1909, deems it its duty to place on record its strong sense of disapproval of the creation of sepjirate electorates on the basis of religion and regrets that the Regulations framed under the Act have not been framed in tlie same liV;eral spirit in which THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGKESS 495 Lord Morley's despatch of last year was conceived. In particular the Eegulations have caused widespread dissatisfaction throughout the country by reason of : (a) the excessive and unfairly preponderant share of representation given to the followers of one particular religion ; (6) the unjust, invidious, and humiliating distinctions made between Muslim and non-Muslim subjects of His Majesty in the matter of the electorates, the franchise, and the qualifications of candidates ; (c) the wide, arbitrary and unreasonable disqualifica- tion and restrictions for candidates seeking election to the Councils ; (d) the general distrust of the educated classes that runs through the whole course of the Regulations; and (e) the unsatisfactory composition of the non-ofiicial majorities in the Provincial Councils, rendering them ineffective and unreal for all practical purpose.^. And this Congress earnestly requests the Government so to revise the Regulations, as soon as the present elections are over, as to remove these objectionable features, and bring them into harmony with the spirit of the Royal Message and the Secretary of State's despatch of last year. . Mr. Surendranath Bannerji pointed out : It is no exaggeration to say that the Rules and Re- gulations have practically wrecked the Reform scheme as originally conceived with a beneficence of purpose and a statesmanlike grasp that did honour to all that are associated with it . . . Who wrecked the scheme ? Who converted that promising experiment into a dismal failure !" The responsibility rests upon the shoulders of the bureaucracy Is the bureaucracy having its revenge upon us for the part we have played in securing these concessions P One point he strongly urged was the disqualification of many of the most distinguished men by the 496 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM qualifications demanded for eligibility. Further, the non-official majority was a delusion, for nominees of the Government usually voted with the (lovernment. Still, let them not abandon hope. Let us see to it that, in the depths of our desperation, we do not forget the immemorial traditions of our race, or renounce the unalteral^le faith which is ours in the ultimate triumph of constitutional and righteous means for the attainment of National regeneration. Dewan Bahadur L. A. Govindaraghava Iyer seconded the Resolution, dealing especially with his own Prov- ince, and showed that to say there was a non-official majority in Madras was " a travesty of truth ". Mr. Harichandrai Vishandas said that the pteans of praise sung in chorus in the last Congress were a little too previous, and the benedictions of their leaders were premature. Mr. Syed Hasan was against all communal representation. The Hon. Munshi Ganga Prasad Varma analysed the effect of the Regulations in the U. P. Mr. J. B. Petit showed that religions and i^ace hatreds would be aroused by the Regulations ; if one minority were represented, others should be. The Resolution was further sup- ported by Messrs. Rajpal Kane, Pandit Gokarannath Misra, Messrs. Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri, Harnam Das, and A. Choudhuri, and unanimously carried. Resolution V, urging the formation of Executive Councils in the United Provinces, the Panjab, Eastern Bengal, Assam, and Burma, was moved by Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, who rapidly outlined the history of Ao-ra in respect to this question, and showed the absurdity of a Province containing 48 millions of people THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 497 being governed by one man, a Lieutenant-Governor, without an Executive Council. Dewan Laclimi Narain seconded the Eesolution, and it was supported by Lala Hakamchand and Moulvi Abdul Qasini, and carried. Resolution VI criticised the Panjab Regulations under the Act, and Mr. Sundar Singh Bhatia, moving it, said that the educated community of the Panjab was in a state of profound disappointment, bordering on despair. For the first time a barrier was raised between Muhammadans and non- Muhammadans, the Hindus were relegated to a subordinate position, and, in spite of all their efforts, were thrown back. Under Muhammadan rule, the highest offices were open to Hindus ; now they were sent to a back seat. Lala Dharmdas Suri second- ed, and the Resolution was carried. Mr. C. Y, Chintamani moved Resolution A'^II, com- plaining of the treatment of the Central Provinces and Berar, which had not even a Legislative Council, Berar being peculiarly unfortunate in that in disabilities it was British territory, but from privileges it was excluded as belonging to the Nizam. Mr. N. A. Dravid seconded, saying that Berar was held from the Nizam on a perpetual lease, which Avas a doom of perpetual disfranchisement. Being under British administration, they have no rights under the Nizam, and not being British subjects they could not be represented in British India. The Resolution was carried and the Congress adjourned. On the third day, Mr. Bhupendranath Basu moved Resolution VIII, asking for a modification of the 39 498 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Partition of Bengal, and appointing Mr. Surendranatli Bannerji and himself as a deputation to England, to lay the question before the authorities and the public. He said the Bengalis would not rest until they were re-united, for the boys of eastern and western Bengal were now separated, brought up under different ideals of manhood. East Bengal was police-ridden, tyrannised over, boys were arrested, and thousands of lads were being driven into the camp of the extremists, filled with bitter hostility. The speaker concluded with a passage of splendid and moving eloquence, declaring that Bengal would never admit its cause was lost : I stand before you, I, a Bengali from Bengal, one of a very small number of men who have been able to come to your Province to attend this Congress. I stand before you, I stand at the bar of my own country, I stand before the best and the highest men in all India, I stand like a neophyte at the altar which you have raised for the wor- ship of our Mother, to plead for a cause which to others may seem to be lost, to re-vitalise what to others may seem a vanished hope. Geiitlemen, so long as the Ben- gali race will last, so long as the blood which flows through our veins courses through generations yet unborn, so long as the picture of a United India remains on our vision, so long as the mighty rivers of my native Province flow on in their majesty and glory to the sea, so long as the fields and meadows of East Bengal wave in all their verdant glory, our cause will not be lost. So long as the inspiriting strains of Bande Mataram put new heart into generations of Bengalis yet to come, our cause will not be lost. For the moment we may have suffered defeat. For the moment the question seems to l)e settled, but, God willing, wo sliall yet tui'u tlie defeat into victory. And they did. Mr. K. Ekambara Iyer seconded, Mr. Parameshwar Lai supported the Kesolution and it was carried. THE TTVENTY-FOURTH CONaRESS 499 Resolution IX was moved by the Hon. ^Ir. G. K. Grokhale, and embodied the cry for help from the Indians in South Africa. He sketched the history of the Indians in the Transvaal under the Boers, the Crown, and the Colonial Grovernment. He then described the endless negotiations and the breaches of faith, and the long patient struggle of the Indians led by Mr. Gandhi ; now the Congress said to the Government of India that " they have made endless representations, but so far they have produced no effect. The time has come for retaliation." The Indians in South Africa were engaged in the passive resistance struggle : ^Yhat is the passive resistance struggle ? It is essentially defensive in its nature, and it fights with moral and spiritual weapons. A passive resister re- sists tyranny by undergoing suffering in his own person. He pits soul force as'ainst brute force ; he pits the divine in man against the brute in man ; he pits suffering against oppression, pits conscience against might ; he pits faith against injustice ; right against wrong. Mr. Dipnarrain Singh seconded, and Mr. G. A. Natesan supported. Mr. Natesan has made this question his own, and he spoke eloquently out of a full heart and a mir.d stored with facts. Mr. Malik Girdharilal, Mr. Iswara Saran, Pandit Dey Eattfm, and Messrs. C. R. Xaidu and Lutchman Panday followed. Then Mr. H. S. L. Polak, the delegate from the Transvaal, spoke, urging India to sympathise with and to support the men who were suffering for India's honour. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji called for monetary help, and a collection was made amid great enthusiasm; Rs. 15,000 were soon collected, 500 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM and in half an hour another Rs. 3,000 wei'e added. The Resolution was formally cai^ied. Mr. A. Choudhuri moved Resolution X, calling for the repeal of the Regulations giving the power to deport and to keep in prison persons without trial. Mr. H. S. Dixit seconded, and Mr. A. S. Krishna Rao supported the Resolution, and it was carried. Resolution XI, on opening the higher grades in the Army to Indians, was moved by Mr. Senathi Raja, seconded by Sardar Gurmukh Singh, and carried. Lala Sangam Lai moved Resolution XII, which ask- ed for a Commission to enquire into the results of the laws restricting alienation of land, as grave dissatis- faction was being caused by their operation in the Panjab. He traced the history of the Panjab in relation to the large class of yeomen proprietors there, and showed how the causes which were working elsewhere in India to impoverish the agriculturists were also operating in the Panjab, and the land legislation was based on a mistaken idea. Lala Bhana Ram seconded, and Mr. Mathra Das, Lala Ram, Sardar Mehr Singh Chawla, and Mr. B. Y, Vidwans all supported, and the Resolution was carried, Mr. N. M. Samarth moved Resolution XIII on the Public Service, noting that Lord Morley had repudiat- ed Lord Curzon's translation of the Proclamation of 1858, for, in the Royal Message of 1908, he said that the Proclamation aimed at " obliterating all distinc- tions of race ". Rai Bahadur Khandu Bai Desai seconded, Dr. Ranjit Singh spoke for the Medical Service, and the Resolution was carried. THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 50l Resolution XIV was moved by Mr. Peter Paul Pillai, and dealt with the high prices of food-stuffs, and asked for a Commission of Enquiry. Professor V. Gr. Kale seconded, and it was supported by Mr. Wacha and Pandit Grovind Sahai Sharma, and carried. The President moved from the Chair Resolution XV on the Swadeshi Movement ; XVI on Education; XVII on the Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions ; all of which were carried. Resolution XA^III asked for an enquiry into the dissatisfaction existing in the N. W. P. Frontier Province, and it was moved by Mr. Purushottam Lai. Mr. Sunder Singh Bhatia, in seconding, pointed out that there was no security for life or property for Hindus in that Province, and that there was a special form of trial, called Jirga, in which a number of Sardars, without any knowledge of criminal law, tried and sentenced men to long terms of imprisonment. The Resolution was carried. The President put from the Chair Resolu- tion XIX, thanking Mr. Hume, Sir William Wedderburn and Sir Henry Cotton ; Resolution XX, appointing the All-India Committee as elected ; Resolution XXII, re-electing Messrs. D. E. Wacha and D. A. Khare as General Secretaries; Reso- lution XXIII, thanking the few volunteers who had done the work usually done by students ten times their numbei', coming forward when a circular from the educational authorities forced the students to withdraw. 502 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru then invited the Congress to meet in Allahabad in the following year, and the invitation was accepted. With the vote of thanks and the President's final speech, the Twenty-fourth Congress ended. RESOLUTIONS The Grief of Congre-fs I. Resolved — 'That tliis Coiij^ress desires to place on recoi'd its sense of the great and irreparable loss which the country and the community has sustained by the deaths of Mr. Lahnohau Ghose and Mr. Romesh Chandra Dutt, both past Presidents of the Congress. Their services to the country will always remain enshrined in the grateful recollection of their countrymen. II. Resolved — That the Congress records its sense of the great loss that this country has sustained by the death of the Marquis of Rijaon, who by his beneficent, progressive, and statesmanlike policy, as Viceroy uf India, earned the lasting esteem, affection and gratitude of all classes of His Majesty's subjects. Thanks of Congress III. Resolved — That this Congress thanks the Government of His Imperial Majesty for appointing the Hon. Mr. S. P. Sinha as a member of His Excellency the Guvemior-General's Executive Council and ihe Rt. Hon. Mr. Amir Ali as a member of bhe Privy Council. [See XIII]. XXI. Resolved — That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderbuz-n, Mr. A. O. Hume, Sir Henry Cotton, and other members of the British Committee, its grateful thanks for their disinterested and strenuous services in the cause of India's ])olitical advancement. XXIII. Resolved — That the thanks of this Congress be given to the volunteers, who supi^lied the place of the students, with- drawn by the Pjducational Authorities. Representation [For Resolution IV, on Council Rcforuis, see ))p. •4i)4, 495]. Executive Cull ncilif V. Resolved — That this Congress while regretting that CI. 3 of the India Councils Bill, under which jjower was to be given to THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 503 the Governor-General in Council to create Executive Councils to assist the heads of the Government in the United Provinces, the Panjab, Eastern Bengal, Assam and Burma, was not passed as originally framed, earnestly urges that action may be taken at an early date under the Act to create Executive Councils in the above- named Provinces. Panjab VI. Eesolved — That this Congress records its ojjinioii that the Eegulations framed for the Panjab, under the Eeform scheme, fail to give satisfaction for the following reasons, viz. — («) In that the numerical sti-ength of the Council provided for in the Regulations is not sufficient to allow an adequate representation to all classes and interests of the population, nor is it commensurate with the jirogress made by this Province, in matters social, educational, industrial and commercial. (h) In that the elected element prescribed by the Regula- tions for the Local Council is unduly small and altogether insufficient to meet the needs and requirements of this Province, and compares very unfavourably with that accorded to other Provinces, not more advanced. (c) In that the principle of protection of minorities, which has been applied in the case, of non-Muhammadans in Pi-ovinces whei'e they are in a minority, has not been applied in the case of non-Muhammadans who are in a minority in the Panjab, both in the Provincial and Imperial Councils. (d) In that the Regulations, as fi-amed, tend practically to keep out nou-Muhammadans from the Imperial Council. Berur and C. P. VII. Resolved — That this Congress desires to give expression to the dissatisfaction produced among the people of the Central Provinces and Berar by the decision of the Government not to establish a Provincial Legislative Council for those territories, and by the exclusion of Berar from jjarticipation in the election of two members of the Imperial Legislative Council by the landholders and members of District and Municipal Boards of the Central Provinces, and this Congress appeals to the Government to remove the aforesaid complaints at an early date. Local Selj'-G overmnent XVIII. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its satisfac- tion that the Secretary of State has recognised that the Local Self-Government Scheme of 1882, has not had a fair trial, and has pressed on the Government of India the necessity of an effectual advance in the direction of making local, urban and raral bodies really self-govei-ning, and it expresses the earnest hope that the 504 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Government will be pleased to take early steps to make all Local Bodies, from village paiicliayats upwards, elective, with elected non-official chairmen, and snjtport them with adequate financial aid. The Partition of Bengal VIII. Resolved — That this Congress earnestly appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India, not to treat the question of the Partition of Bengal as incapable of recon- sideration, but to take the earliest opportunity so to modify the said Partition as to keep the entire Bengali-sjseaking community under one and the same administration. That this Congress humbly submits that the rectification of this admitted error will be an act of far-sighted statesmanship. It will restore contentment to the Province of Bengal, give satisfaction to other Provinces, and enhance the prestige of His Majesty's Government throughout the country. That this Congress appoints Messrs. Surendranath Bannerji and Bhuiiendranatli Bose to proceed to England as a dej^utation, to lay tlie c^uestion of the Partition before the authorities and jaublic there. South Africa IX. Eesolved — That this Congress expresses its great admi- ration of the intense patriotism, courage and self-sacrifice of the Indians in the Transvaal, Muhammadan and Hindu, Zoroastrian and Christian — who, heroically suffering jjersecution in the interests of their country, are cari-ying on their peaceful and selfless struggle for elementary civil rights against heavy and overwhelming odds. That this Congress offers its warmest encouragement to Mr. M. K. Gandhi and his brave and faithful associates, and calls upon all Indians of whatever race or creed to help them unstintedly with funds ; and in this connection the Congress begs to convey to Mr. E. J. Tata its high appi-eciation of the patriotic instincts which have inspired his munificent donation of Rs. 25,000 to liis suffering countrymen in South Africa in their hour of need and trial. That this Congress begs earnestly to press upon the Government of India the necessity of prohibiting the recruitment of indentured Indian labour for any jjortion of the South African Union, and of dealing with the authorities there in the same manner in which the latter deal with Indian interests, so long as they adhere to the selfish and one-sided policy which they proclaim and practise, and persist in their present course of denying to His Majesty's Indian subjects their just rights as citizens of the Empire, That tliis Congress protests against the declaration of resiJon- sible statesmen in favour of allowing the Self-Govei'ning Colonies in THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 505 the British Empire to monoiiolise vast undeveloped tex^ritories for exclusive white settlement, and deems it its duty to point out that the 25olicy of shutting the door in these territories and denj'ing the I'igbtsof full British citizenship to all Asiatic subjects of the British Crown, while preaching and enforcing the opposite policy of the open door in Asia, is fraught with grave mischief to the Empire and is as u^nwise as it is unrighteous. Coercion Leifres dc caclief X. Resolved — That, having regard to the grave risk of injustice in Government action based upon ex-parte and untested information, and to the sufficiency for reasonably preventive and punitive pur^joses of other provisions on the Statute Book of the country, this Congress urges upon the Government the repeal of the old llegulations relating to deportation, and prays that the joersons who were last year deported from Bengal be set at liberty without further detention, or be given an opportunity to meet the charges, if any, that may be against them, and for which they have been condemned unheard. Military XI. Resolved — That this Congress protests against the continued exclusion of the children of the soil from higher military careers, and in urging that such careers be thrown open to them, suggests the establishment of Military Colleges, at which Indians may receive the training necessary to qualify them for His Majesty's commission in the Array. [See XIX (b)]. JLand Laws XII. Resolved— That having regard to the grave dissatisfac- tion caused by the operation of the Land Alienation and allied Acts among large sections of the community in the Pan jab and elsewhere, this Congress is of opinion that the time has arrived for instituting a thorough and detailed enquiry into the policy and working of the laws restricting alienation of land in Provinces where such laws are in operation ; and urges Government to appoint a mixed Commission of officials and representative non- official Indians to institute an enquiry, in order to ascertain whether the legislation has really benetited the interests of agriculture and of the class intended to be benefited by it, and whether it has given rise in actual operation to anomalies, hardships and disabilities, calculated to injure the growth and prospects of the agricultural industry, and cause discontent among any particular class or section of the community. 506 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Public Service XIII. Resolved— («) That this Congress gratefully recognises the efforts that have been made dui-ing the last three years by the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy to give gracious effect to the policy, laid down in the great Charter of 1858, and reiterated in His Majesty's message of last year, of obliterating distinctions of race in conferring higher offices on the people of India in the Public Service of the country. That this Congress, however, is strongly of opinion tliat in order to carry out this policy effectively, the Resolution of the House of Commons of 2nd June, 1893, should be given effect to, and all examinations held in England only should be simultaneously held in India and in England, and all first appoint- ments for the higher branches of the Public Service, which are made in India, should be by competitive examination only. (h) That this Congress thanks the Secretary of State (1) For his despatch regarding the employment in the superior posts of the Civil Medical Service of qualified medical men, not belonging to the Indian Medical Service, and earnestly requests the Government of India to take early action in the direction pointed out by the Secretary of State. (2) That in the interests of the public, the medical service and the px'ofession, as well as for the sake of economy in expenditure, this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges the constitution of a distinct Indian Civil Medical Service, wholly independent of the Indian Military Medical Service. High Prices of Food-stuffs XIV. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that, having regard to tJie high prices of food-stuffs current during the past several years, and the hardships to which the middle and poorer classes in particular are put thereby, an enquiry by a properly constituted Commission should be instituted by the G-overnment into the causes of such higli prices, with a view to ascertain how far and by what remedies that evil could be removed or its effects minimised. Swadeshi XV. Resolved — Tliat this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement, and calls upon the i)eoj)le of the country to labour for its success by making earnest and sustain- ed efforts to promote the growth of industries, capable of development in the country, and to respond to the efforts of Indian producers by giving preference whenever practicable to Indian products over imported commodities, even at a saci'ifice. THE TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS 507 Education XVI. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the Government should take immediate steps : (a) to make Primary Education free at once and gradually compulsory throughout the country ; (b) to assign larger sums of money to Secondary and Higher Education (special encouragement being given where necessary to educate all backward classes) ; (f) to make adequate provision for imparting Industrial and Technical Education in the different Provinces, having regard to local requirements ; and (d) to give effective voice to the loaders of Indian public opinion in shaping the i)olicy and system of Education in this comitry. That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived for people all over the country to take up earnestly the question of supplementing existing institutions and the efforts of Government, by organising for themselves an independent system of Literary, Scientihc, Technical, and Industrial Education, suited to the conditions of the different Provinces in the countr}'. Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions XVII. Resolved — (a) That this Congress jjlaces on record its sense of regret that notwithstanding the hopes held out by Government that the Executive and Judicial functions were soon to be separated, no effective steps have been taken in that direc- tion, and this Congress, concurring with previous Congi-esses, urges a complete separation of the two functions without delay. (b) That this Congress, concuri'ing with previous Congresses, urges that the Judicial Service in all Y)arts of tlic country should be recruited mainly from the legal iJrofession. Permanent Settlement XIX. Resolved — That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges : («) A reasonable and dehnite limitation to the State demand on land, and the introduction of a Permanent Settlement, or a Settlement for a period of not less than sixty years in those Provinces where short periodical Settlement revisions prevail, as, in the opinion of this Congress, that is the only means of ameliorating the present unsatisfactory economic condition of the agricultural population ; and 508 How INDIA WROtJGliT POU FREEDOM (h) A reduction of the annually growing military expenditure ■which now absorbs nearly one-third of the Empire's revenue, leav- ing an inadequate portion only of the balance available for the many objects of popular utility, specially Education and Sanitation, which are yet greatly starved. N, W. F. ProYince XX. Resolved — That in view of the prevalence of serious dissatisfaction among the people of the N. W. Frontier Provn'nce with the character of the administration under which they live, this Congress earnestly urges the Government of India to order a public enquiry into their complaints, and take steps to remedy the disadvantages under which thc}^ labour as compared with the population of the Panj.il). Formal XXII. Resolved— That Mr. D. E. Wacha and Mr. Daji Abaji Khare be appointed General Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXIV. Resolved — That the next meeting of the Indian National Congress be held at Allahabad after Christmas, 1910. CHAPTER XXV The Twenty-fifth National Congress met at Allahabad on the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th December, 1910. The Congress Pavilion was pitched on a plot of ground opposite the Fort, and it was quaintly designed with twenty-five sides and twenty-five doors, with a picture of a President over each door. 636 delegates attended, and some 4,000 visitors gathered to take part in the proceedings. The delegates were distributed as follows Madras Bombay (SO), Sindh (58) Bengal U. P. ... Panjab C. P. .. Berar .. Behar . . 121 138 85 202 27 16 8 39 636 It will be noticed that the Central Provinces and Berar are here definitely separated, and we miss Burma from the roll. Sir William Wedderburn had been elected as President, and he came over from England in the hope of surmounting the difficulties that were dividing 510 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the National Party, on one side from the Surat trouble, on the other from the wedge driven in between the Hindus and the Muhammadans by introducing the religious question into electioneering. The Hon. Pandit Sunderlal, as Chairman of the Reception Committee, welcomed the l^resident and the delegates, and was able to say that both the Civil and Military authorities had heljDed the Committee in making the necessary arrangements. After reference to several losses of the old pillars of the Congress, he welcomed Sir William Wedderburn, whose ceaseless labours for India's welfare had made him beloved by every Indian. Then followed a touching reference to the passing away of H. I. M. Edward VII and loyal homage to his suc- cessor, with a word of gladness for the promised visit of the new King-Emperor and his Consort. The changes in the A^iceroyalty and the Secretary- ship of State were noted, and the attention of the new A'^iceroy, Lord Hardinge, was called in a few brief sentences to the claims of Education, the Separation of Judicial and Executive functions, and the need for the establishment of an Executive Council in the U. P. Sir William W^edderburn was going to hold a Conference of Hindus and Muhammadans ; it was noteworthy that in District and Municipal Boards in the U. P where there were no separate electorates, out of 663 members of District Boards, the common electorate had returned 445 Hindus and 189 Muhammadans, and in 965 Municipalities 562 were Hindus and 310 Muham- madans, showing that in a l^'ovince where only THE TWEXTT-FIFTH CONGRESS 511 one-seventh of the population were Muslims, Hindus had voted for them in large numbers. Sir John Hewett had said that it would be a great pitv to disturb their amicable relations by introducing religious differences into elections. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji moved that Sir William Wedderburn take the Chair in a speech of warm and grateful praise for his long and devoted services to India. The motion was seconded bv Mr. D. E. "Wacha, supported by the Hon. Rao Bahadur R. X. Mudholkar, the Hon. Mr. X. Subba Rao, the Hon. Lala Harkishan Lai, Mr. Yusuf Hasan, and the Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, and he was installed amid enthu- siastic cheers. The President began by asserting his faith in the future destiny of India. " India deserves to be happy." They had reason for hope in the reforms lately introduced, and these should result in a spirit of conciliation and co-operation. The chief differences were : ( 1 ) between European officials and educated Indians; (2) between Hindus and Muhammadans; and (3) between Moderates and Extremists. He then dealt with these seriatim, making far too little of the " indiscriminate house-searchings, prosecutions and other processes in pursuit of offences " ; then urging harmony under (2) and (3). The President next classified Congress work as : (1) constructive work in India, educating and organising public opinion ; (2) representations to Government ; and (3) propaganda in England. The latter he urged very strongly. The newborn spirit of self-reliance 512 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM was good, but it should not degenerate into dislike of people from other lands. The " United States of India," under the wgis of the British Empire, need not be very long in coming, if the leaders of India worked hand in hand with the British people. Mr. D. E. Wacha read telegrams from Mr. Dada- bhai Naoroji, Dr. Rash Behari Ghose and others, and Mr. D. A. Khare asked the delegates to elect their representatives on the Subjects Committee, '^l^he Congress rose for the day. The second day opened with the I^resident putting the first three resolutions from the Chair. Resolution I was an expression of profound grief for the death of King Edward VII, which Avas passed standing and in silence. Resolution II offered the homage of the Congress to King George Y, and welcomed the proposed visit of the King and Queen, and passed by acclamation. Resolution III welcomed the new Viceroy, Lord Hardinge, and appointed a Com- mittee to draw up an Address to him from the Congress, and named the deputation to wait upon him to present it. Sir William Wedderburn noted that it was for the first time that the Consrress was to " be received in friendly personal recognition by a A^iceroy " — the first, we may add, of many acts whereby Lord Hardinge showed his sympathy with Indian feeling. The Resolution was unanimously carried. Resolution IV, on the appointment of the Law Mem- ber to the Viceroy's Ex(>cutive Council being limited to THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 513 members of the English Bar, and urging that Advo- cates and Vakils should also be eligible, was moved by the Hon, Mr. S. Sinha, who pointed out that it was unwise to restrict the field of choice, and noted that Dr. Rash Behari Gliose was a Vakil, and was certainly not below a Barrister in qualifications. Rao Bahadur B. N. Sarma seconded, remarking on the eminent Vakils who had adorned the profession in Madras. The Resolution was carried. Mr. G. A. Natesan was once more called to move the Resolution on Indians in the Colonies (No. V), and said that the sufferings of Indians in South Africa were indeed well known to them all. He urged the duty of the British Government to protect its subjects, and praised the heroism of the passive resisters. Mr. Manilal Doctor seconded, and spoke of the oppression suffered by Indians in Mauritius. The Resolution was supported by Mr. Raghunandan Prasad and Mr. Debi Prasad, and carried. Resolution VI, supporting the Swadeshi Movement, was moved by Mr. C. Y. Chintamani, who urged the duty of educated people to help indigenous industries by using their products. The imports of foreign goods increased, and even shawls Avere being brought in from abroad ; purchase of Home goods should be made easy by setting up Swadeshi stores, for, as Mr. Ranade had said, India had " come to be regard- ed as a plantation of England, growing raw produce to be shipped by British agents in British ships, to be worked into fabrics by British skill and capital, and to be re-exported to India by British merchants to 40 514 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM tlieii" corresponding British firms in India through their British agents ". Mr. Jitendralal Bannerji seconded, and urged that at every sacrifice Home goods should be used. The Resolution was supported by Messrs. Dwarkanath, D. V. Krishna Rao, Sacliindra Prasad Basu, and Lokamal Chellaram, and carried. Mr. Jogendranath Mukerji moved Resolution VII, urging the Separation of Judicial and Executive func- tions, and adding the proposal that the Judicial Service should be recruited mainly from the legal profession. He recalled the recommendation of separation by the Police Commission of 1863, the Memorial of Lord Hobhouse and others in 1889 ; Lord Curzon included it in his twelve reforms, but did nothing, and Lord Morley in 1908 gave it his sanction. Still no effective steps had been taken. The Hon. Mr. Braj Kishore seconded, giving a story from his own district : a Mahant rang bells in his temple, and this annoyed the Magistrate ; so he bade his orderly lodge a com- plaint, and the case came up before him, whereupon he convicted and fined the Mahant, and gave part of the fines to the orderly. Mr. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar said that speech on the subject ought to be needless under British rule, as the British had always been peculiarly jealous of any executive interference with the administration of their laws. But for the theory that the Collector was to be responsible for law and order and also ought to dispense justice, no pleading for such reform would have been necessary under the British Crown. On THE TWENTY-riFTH CONGRESS 515 the second part, he need only say that in filling up the office of Judge it seemed to be thought that no training was necessary. No one was allowed to masquerade as a doctor without training, nor was an engineer entrusted with a locomotive without training, but " to administer justice, the one sine qua nun is that nothing need be known of the principles of law ", The Resolution was carried. The second day's work came to an end with Resolution VIII, demanding Executive Councils for the U. P. and the Panjab. It was moved by Pandit Gokharannath Misra, who briefly sketched the history of the creation of these Councils ; in Lord Morley's Indian Councils Bill, a clause was provided to give them to the major Provinces, but Lord Curzon and Lord Macdonnell succeeded in mutilating the Bill, though passed in the Commons, when the Bill was before the Lords, Strong protests were made, but, as usual, no attention was paid to them. Mr. P. L. Rajpal seconded in a vigorous speech, the Resolution was carried, and the Congress adjourned. On the re-assembling of the Congress on the third day, Dr. Gour moved Resolution IX on Local Self- Government. When Lord Ripon in 1882 planned the Local Self-Government scheme, all thought the people were to be entrusted with effective pcwer in adminis- tering local affairs, but when he left, there was re- action ; official Chairmen, Collectors and Tahsildars were appointed to District and Taluq Boards, and took over all power. Things went from bad to worse till the Decentralisation Commission was appointed. The 516 HOW INDIA WRODGHT FOR FREEDOM Congress asked that all Local Bodies, from Village Panchayats upwards, should be made elective, and all chairmen and secretaries should be elected. The Hon. Mr. G. Raghava Rao seconded, and laid special stress on the election of non-official chairmen. Mr. M. Ramchandra Rao dealt specially with the financial aspect, and after a Hindi speech from Munshi Sankata Prasa,d, the Resolution was carried. Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar moved Resolution X, protesting against the Partition of Bengal. It was no "dead issue," as it had been called, and smart expressions did not stamp out vital grievances. There was no " settled fact '^ in politics, and it was useless to charge them with sedition. " When there is a rupture between a settled Government and its people, the presumption is generally against the former." A great man had said that " a Nation is not governed when it has perpetually to be con- quered," and the Bengalis were not well governed, if thev had to be continually repressed. God grant that Lord Hardinge might open a new era. [The prayer was granted.] Dewan Bahadur C. Karunakara Menon seconded, and Mr. Nibaran Chandra Das Gupta supported. He said that the wail of Bengal was no longer heard because the people were muzzled by repressive measures ; remove the muzzle, and the cry would again be heard. The Resolution was .carried. JResolution XI embodied the old grievances of Tniians in the Medical Service ; it was moved by I THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGKESS 517 Sir Bhalchandra Krishna, seconded by Dr. Ranjit Singh, supported by Dr. H. D. Pant, and carried. Mr. J. Choudhuri moved Resolution XII, praying that the Seditious Meetings Act should not be re- enacted on its expiry, and that the Press Act should be at once removed. " Public meetings and public speeches are becoming a thing of the past. Thus, it is a measure of first-rate coercion for suppressing the expression of public opinion." It is a shame and a scandal that the British Govern- ment should not only curtail the liberty of the press, but frame a law which will interfere with the setting up of new printing- presses, and thus indirectly check the spread of knowledge in this benighted country. . . The law of sedition in this country is elastic enough. If the law would go any greater length, then all our liberties^ — individual, personal and communal — will be at an end- Mr. A. S. Krishna Rao seconded, and pointed out the unfairness of presuming guilt against a publisher by demanding security before he had committed any fault. Mr. Dwarkanath, supporting, said that these measures had paralysed the pubHc life of India. People were afraid of joining any public movement. The C. I. D. " is a real terror to the people," for " our public men are always at the mercy of the members of the C. I. D. " Mr. Yusuf Hasan also supported, and the Resolution was carried. The Resolution (XIII) on Elementary Education was moved by Mr. V. V. Jogiah Pantulu, seconded by Mr. (lanpati Krishna Chitale, supported by Pandit Hirdaynath Kunzru, and carried. 518 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Resolution XIV, asking for a Commission of Enquiry into Expenditure, was moved by Mr. N. M. Samartli, seconded by Mr. N. A. Dravid, and carried. Resolution XV dealt with the Council Regulations, and the mover, Dr. Satish Chandra Bannerji, spoke of the bitter disappointment caused by tlie Regulations which had wrecked the Reform scheme. Dr. Te] Bahadur Sapru seconded, asking that the Regulations might at least deal equally with all communities. Rai Bahadur M. Adinarayana lyah and the Hon. Mr. Harchandrai Vishandas supported, and Nawab Sadiq Ali Khan made a strong appeal to his fellow- Muslims to be united and patriotic, " and, for the sake of certain paltry gains in the Services or in the Coun- cils, do not sacrifice the larger hopes of an ampler day". Shaik Faiz and Mr. Yusuf Hasan supported, but on the latter saying that it was not honest of the Muslim League to demand an unfair amount of representation, he was checked by the President, and Mr. Surendra- nath Bannerji, supported by loud cheers, dissociated the Congress and himself from the remarks made. The Resolution was carried. A srentleman wishino- to move an amendment was ruled out of order, not having sent it in. Resolution XVI, deprecating the extension of communal representation to Local Bodies was moved by the Hon. Mr. M. A. Jinnah, who merely said it embodied his vieAvs. The Hon. Mr. Muzharal Haq seconded, urging Hindus and Muslims to join hands. Mr. Syed Hasan Imam supported and it was carried. THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 519 Mr. Gr. K. Devadhar moved Resolution XVII, urging the formation of Conciliation Boards wherever disturbances over religious celebrations were feared. Mr. Ramkumar Goenka seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Three Resolutions were then put from the Chair and carried : XVIll, on reforms in the C. P. and Berar ; XIX, on reforms in the Panjab ; XX, on the desir- ability of reducing cable rates between England and India. The Congress adjourned. On the fourth day, Resolution XXI, on Higher and Secondary, Industrial and Technical Education, was moved by Mr. A. B. Patro, seconded by Mr. Pulin Chandra Das, supported by Messrs. Devi Prasad Sukla, V. R. Dixit, and Ramakant Malaviya, and carried. Then the President put from the Chair Resolution XXII, Simultaneous Examinations ; XXIII, the Omnibus ; XXIV, asking Lord Hardinge to show clemency to purely political prisoners ; XXV, refer- ring some amendments in the Congress Constitution to a Sub-Committee, to report to the next Congress . and XXVI, the All-India Congress Committee. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji then moved the thanks of the Congress to Sir William Wedderburn, Mr. A. 0. Hume, Sir Henry Cotton and the members of the British Committee (Resolution XXVII), and asked for Rs. 39,000, and got Rs. 40,000 there and then, also carrying the Resolution. The President put from the Chair a message of sympathy to the Indians in the Transvaal, one of affection to Mr. Hume and the G. 0. M. Resolution XXVIII, re-election of 520 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM General Secretaries and Resolution XXIX, fixing the next meeting of the Congress in Calcutta, on the invitation of Mr. Bhupendranath Basu were carried. The Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale moved Resolution XXX, conveying the thanks of the Congress to the President in a very eloquent and l^eautiful speech ; Pandit Motilal Nehru seconded, and it was carried by acclamation. The Hon. Pandit Sunderlal, C. I. E., garlanded the President, who received a tremendous ovation in his closing speech. The Twenty-fifth National Congress then dissolved. RESOLUTIONS "The King is Dead" I. Eesolved — That this Coiiiyress desires to give expression to its profound grief at the sudden and untimely demise of His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII, whose beneticent reign will ever be memorable in the annals of India for the steps taken to obliterate race distinctions in making appointments to high office, and for the measures of constitutional reform adopted with a view to associate the people of this country with the administration of their affairs. " Long Live the King " II. Resolved — That this Congress offers its humble homage and duty to the King-Emperor George V on his accession and begs to tender to His Majesty an assurance of its profound loyalty and attachment to his august throne and person. The Congress expresses its deep and heartfelt joy at the announcement of the proposed visit of their Most Gracious Majesties, King George and Queen Mary, to India, in 1911. Delegation to Lord Hardinge III. Resolved — That (a) this Congress in offering its warm and respectful welcome to His Excellency Lord Hardinge, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, begs to convey to His Excellency an earnest assurance of its desire to co-operate loyally with the Government in ])i-f)moting the welfare of the people of the country ; THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 521 (b) this Congress resolves that a snb-Committee consisting of the following gentlemen be appointed to prepare an address to be presented to His Excellency in the name of the Congress by a deputation headed by the President : The President. Pandit Bishan Xarayan Dhar The Ex-Presidents present. (United Provinces). The General Secretaries. Nawab Sadiq AH Khan Hon. Mr. Rhupendranath Basu (United Provinces). (United Bengal). Mr. Syed Hasan Imam (Behar). Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar Dr H. S. Gour (United Bengal). (Central Provinces). Hon. Mr. N. Snbba Eao Hon. Rao Bahadur (Madras). R. N. Mudholkar (Berar). Hon. Mr. T. V. Seshagiri Iyer Hon. Mr. Harkishan Lai (Madras). ' (Panjab). Hon. Mr. M. H. Jinnah Pandit Rambhiij Dutt Choud- (Bombay). huri (Panjab). Mr. N. M. Samarth (Bombay). Legal IV. Resolved — That in view of the fact that Section III of the Indian Councils Act of 1861 is understood in practice to limit appointment to the Office of Law Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council to members of the English Bar, thereby greatly restricting the field from which a selection may be made, this Congress urges that the said section be so amended as to allow of Advocates, Vakils, and Attorneys-at-Law of Indian High Courts being appointed to that office. VII. Resolved — That (a) this Congress places on record its sense of regret that notwithstanding the hopes held out by the Government that the Executive and Judicial functions were soon to be seiDarated, no effective steps have been taken in that direction, and, concurring with previous Congresses, ixrges a complete separa- tion of the two functions without delay ; (6) this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges that the Judicial Service in all parts of the country should be recruited mainly from the legal profession. Indians in the Colonies V. Resolved — That («) this Congress expresses its great admiration of the intense patriotism, courage, and self-sacrifice of the Indians in the Transvaal— Muhammadan and Hindu, Zoro- astrian and Christian, who, heroically suffering persecution in the interests of their countrymen, are carrying on their peaceful and selfless strugggle for elementary civil rights against heavy and overwhelming odds, and urges the Imperial Government to adopt 522 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM a firm and decisive attitude on the question, so as to remove a great source of discontent amongst the people of India ; (b) this Congress begs earnestly to press upon the Government of India the necessity of prohibiting the recruitment of indentured Indian labour for any portion of the South Africa Union, and of dealing with the authorities there in the same manner as the latter deal with Indian interests, so long as they adhere to the selfish and one-sided policy, which they proclaim and practise, and persist in their present course of denying to His Majesty's Indian subjects their just rights as citizens of the Empire ; (c) this Congress protests against the declarations of re- sponsible statesmen in favour of allowing the Self- Governing Colonies in the British Empire to monopolise vast undeveloped territories for exclusive white settlement, and deems it its duty to point out that the policy of shutting the door in these tei-ritories against, and denying the rights of full British citizenship to, all Asiatic subjects of tlie British Crown, while preaching and enforcing the opposite policy of the open door in Asia, is fraught with grave mischief to the Empire and is as unwise as it is unrighteous. Swadeshjl VI. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement, and calls upon the people of the country to labour for its success by making earnest and sustained efforts to promote the growth of industries capable of development in this country, and to respond to the efforts of Indian producers b}' giving preference, wherever practicable, to Indian products over imported commodities, even at a sacrifice. Executive Councils VIII. Resolved — That this Congress earnestly recommends that speedy action be taken under the Indian Councils Act to establish Executive Councils in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh and in the Panjab. Local Self-Government IX. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its satisfaction that the Secretary of State has recognised that the Local Self-Goveni- ment scheme of 1882 has not had a fair trial, and has pressed on the Government of India the necessity of an effectual advance in the direction of making Local, Urban, and Rural bodies really Self- Governing, and it expresses the earnest hope that the Government will be pleased to take early steps to make all Local Bodies from Village Pauchayats upwards, elective, with elected non-oflficial Chairmen, and to sup]iort them with adequate financial aid. THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 523 The Partition of Bengal X. Resolved — That (a) this Congress earnestly appeals to the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India not to treat the question of the Partition of Bengal as incapable of reconsideration, but to take the earliest opportunit}' so to modify the said Partition, as to keep the entire Bengali-speaking community under one and the same administration ; (b) this Congress humbly submits that the rectification of this admitted error will be an act of far-sighted statesmanship. It will restore contentment to the Province of Bengal, give satisfac- tion to other Provinces, and enhance the prestige of His Majesty's Government throughout the country. Public Service Medical XI. Resolved — That (a) this Congress thanks the Secretary of State for his Despatch regarding the employment in the superior posts of the Civil Medical Service, and earnestly requests the Government of India to take early action in the direction pointed out by the Secretary of State for India ; (b) in the interests of the public, the medical service, and the profession, as well as for the sake of economy in expenditure, this Congress, concui-ring with previous Congresses, urges the constitution of a distinct Indian Civil Medical Service wholly independent of the Indian (Military) Medical Service. Simultn iieoiig Examinations XXII. Resolved— That this Congress is of opinion that the Examination held in England for the Indian Civil Service shoiild be siniultaneoush- held in England and in India, and that all higher appointments whicli are made in India should be made by Competitive Examinations only. Confirmation of Previous Resolutions (1) FoJire XXIII. Resolved— That (a) Competitive Examinations for the reciiiitment of the Police Service in the higher grades should be thrown open to all classes of British subjects, instead of being confined to candidates of British birth, and such examinations should be held simultaneously in England and in India. c (b) educated Indians should be largely employed in the higher grades in order to secure efficiency in work ; (c) enlistment in the Provincial Service should be by Com- petitive Examination ; and lastly, 524 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM (d) the District Officers who are the heads of the Police shoiild be relieved of Judicial work and all control over the Magistrates of the Districts. (2) Termanent Settlement That a reasonable and deiinite limitation to the State demand on land and the introduction of a Permanent Settlement or a Settlement for a period of not loss than sixty years in those Provinces where short periodical Settlements or Revisions prevail, are, in the opinion of the Congress, the only means of ameliorating the present unsatisfactory conditions of the agricultural population. (3) Military Expenditure That in the opinion of tliis Coiigress, a reduction is urgently needed of the annually growing Military Expenditure which now absorbs nearly one-third of the Empire's revenue, leaving only an inadequate jjortion of the balance available for many objects of public utilit}^, especially Education and Sanitation, which are yet greatly starved. Coercion Press XII. Resolved — That having regard to the state of the country since the passing of the Seditious Meetings Act and the Indian Press Act, this Congress earnestly prays that the former be not re-enacted at the expiry of its term, and that the latter be removed from the Statute Book without delay. Education Elementary Education XIII. Resolved— That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived when a substantial beginning should be made in the matter of Elementary Education — free and compulsory — throughout the country. XXT Resolved — That this Congress is of ojiinion that the Government should take early steps : Secondary and Higher (a) to assign larger sums of money to Secondary and Higher Education (especial encouragement being given where necessary to educate all backward classes) ; Industrial and Technical (h) to make adequate provision for imparting Industrial and Technical Education in the different Provinces, having regai'd to local requirements ; and I THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 525 Natiorial Control (c) to give effective voice to the leaders of Indian public opinion in shaping the policy and sj^stem of Education in this country. Popular- Duty That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived for people, all over the country, to take up earnestly the question of supplementing existing institutions and the efforts of the Government, by organising for themselves an independent sj'stem of Literary, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Education, suited to the conditions of the different Provinces in the country. Finance XIV. Resolved — That having regard to the enormous grovi'th that has taken place in the public expenditure of the country, this Congress urges that a mixed Commission of enquiry composed of officials and non-officials, be appointed to enquire into the causes which have led to this increase and to suggest remedies. [And see XXIII (3)]. Representation XV. Resolved — That while recognising the necessity of provid- ing for a fair and adequate Representation in the Legislative Councils for the Muhammadan and other communities where they are in a minority, this Congress disapproves the Regulations promulgated last year to carry out this object bj' means of separate electorates, and in particular urges upon the Government the justice and expediency of modifying the Regulations framed under the Indian Councils Act of 1909, before another election comes on, so as to remove anomalous distinctions between different sections of His Majesty's subjects in the matter of the franchise and the quali- fications of candidates and the arbitrary disqualifications and restrictions for candidates seeking election to the Councils. The Congress also urges a modification of the Regulations, where necessaiy, relating to the composition of non-official majorities in the Provincial Councils, so as to render them effective for i:)ractical purposes. Separate Electorates XVI. Resolved— That this Congress strongly deprecates the expansion or application of the principle of Separate Communal Electorates to Municipalities, District Boards, or other Local Bodies. Provincial Reform (C. P. and Berar) XVIII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the time has come for the establishment of a Provincial Legislative 526 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Council for the Central Provinces and Berar, and for according to Berar, which is now held by the Grovernnient on a permanent tenure, the status and privileges which are accorded to Provinces included in British India. ProrincidI Refarm {Fanjah) XIX. Resolved — That this Congress records its opinion that the Regulations framed for the Panjab under the Reform Scheme fail to give satisfaction for the following reasons, namely : (ft) that the numerical strength of the Council provided for in the Regulations is not suiiicient to allow an adequate representation to all classes and interests of the jiopulation, nor is it commensurate with the progress made by that Province in matters Social, Educational, Industrial and Economical ; (b) that the elected element prescribed by the Regulations for the Local Legislative Council is unduly small, and altogether insufficient to meet the needs and requirements of that Province, and compai'es unfavourably with those accorded to other Provinces ; (c) that the proportion of nominated members of the Panjab Legislative Council is inec|uitable and out of proportion to the ratio of the different sections of the population ; and (d) that the Regulations, as framed, tend practically to keep out non-Muhammadans from the Imperial Legislative Council. Conciliation Boards XVII. Resolved — That in view of the disturbances that have occurred from time to time in this country on occasions of religious celebrations, this Congress urges the Government to form Conciliation Boards at places where disturbances are apprehended, and to take timely and adequate measui-es for the prevention of such disturbances. Reduction of Cable Rates XX. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress it is extremely desirable on more than one ground that the rate of cable messages between England and India should be still further reduced, so as to offer greater facilities to the trade and to the press, and, at the same time, stimulate traffic in those messages. Political Prisoners XXIV. Resolved — That having regard to the great improve- ment which has taken place in the general situation of the country, as recognised by the late Viceroy and other high authorities, this Congress respectfull}' appeals to His Excellency Lord Hardinge to signalise the commencement of a new administration by an act of clemency to those who are undergoing imprisonment for purely THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS 527 political offences. In the opinion of this Congress, such an act of clemency will have the uudoubted effect of facilitating the rettfrn of the country to normal conditions, Lviid will lead to a further improvement in the relations between the Cxovernment and the people. Congress Constitution XXV. Resolved — That the Amendments suggested by the United Bengal Provincial Congress Committee and such other amendments as may be suggested by other Committees be refei-red to a Sub-Committee, consisting of the members of the All-India Congress Committee and two members elected by each of the Provincial Congress Committees, who are members of a Congress organisation, for consideration and report before the end of October, 1911, the Sub-Committee to meet at Allahabad and their report to be laid before the next Congress for consideration. Formal XXYI. Resolved — The following gentlemen are nominated to form the All-India Congress Committee for 1911 (list omitted), XXVIII. Resolved— That Mr. D. E. Wacha and Mr. Daji Abaji Khare be appointed General Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXIX. Resolved — That the next Congress be held at Calcutta. Thanks of Congress XXVII. Resolved— That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderburn, Mr. A. O. Hume, Sir Henry Cotton, and other members of the British Committee, its gi-ateful thanks for their disinterested and strenuous services, and it takes this opportunity to make an earnest appeal to the Indian public to place adequate funds at the disposal of the Committee to enable it to carry on its work with vigour. XXX. Resolved —That our most cordial thanks be accorded to our President Sir William Wedderburn, for the great trouble he has taken in coming out to India to preside over this assembly, and for his devoted labours in guiding aright the deliberations of this Congress. [See IX, XI.] CHAPTER XXVI The Twenty-sixth National Congress met in Calcutta, on the 26th, 27th and 28th of December, 1911, met in the full joy of the reunited Bengalis, whose long suffering liad been crowned with triumph, and who had heard the Partition of Bengal annulled by the King-Emperor's own lips in the great Coronation Durbar at Delhi. 446 delegates had gathered in Calcutta on that joyous occasion, and they were grouped as follows : 26 JJUlllUttJ Panjab... , ... iiU ... 3 U. P ... 94 Madras... ... 136 Behar ... ... 23 C.P ... 7 Berar ... ... 9 Bengal ... ... 148 446 The Hon. Mr. Bhupendranath Ba.su, the Chairman of the Reception Committee, welcomed the President- elect and the delegate.s, and then, recalling the vow of October 16th, 1905, that, come what might, the people of Bengal should not be divided, he spoke of the Royal announcement, redressing a grave wrong. THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 529 Tliey would welcome the King-Emperor on his coming among them, " not only as our King and Emperor, but as our deliverer ". They welcomed also the Queen-Empress, and also the Secretary of State for India, Lord Crewe, and he paid a graceful tribute to Lord Hard in ge, " that statesman, lonely and serene, .... who saw the wrong and did the right ^'. He spoke with deep regret of the removal of the seat of Government from Bengal after its connection of 150 years with British Power. He then turned to the necessity that the Congress should continue its work, despite the 'Legislative Council reforms, since the Congress had to build the Nation, and to be a centre, round which all could gather. He touched briefly on the various differences between Indians, but they had a common consciousness as Indians, the sense of oneness of which the Congress was a symbol. Their sense of Nationality Avould not weaken their tie with England, but rather strengthen it. P Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, in a very brief speech, moved that Pandit Bishan Narayan Dhar should take the Chair. The motion was seconded by Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar, supported by Mr. Gr. K. Gokhale, the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad, and Pandit Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri, and warmly carried. The President said that they had hoped to have had Mr. Ramsay Macdonald as tlieir President, but his wife's untimely death had called him away, and he himself had been asked unexpectedly to take his place. He then referred to the death of the Nizam of Hyderabad, mourned through the whole country; 41 530 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM that of Sir Charles Dilke, who had always shown himself a friend of India; and the loss, especially to Bengal, of Norendranath Sen and Mr. Shishir Kumar Ghosh. Then followed some grateful words to Lord Hardinge, and deep loyalty to the King-Emperor, who had annulled the Partition of Bengal. He spoke approvingly of the transfer of the capital to Delhi, as likely to vivify the Panjab, glanced at the creation of the new Province of Behar, and hoped the creation there of an Executive Council presaged the granting of one to the U. P. Turning to the Govern- ment here, he spoke gratefully of the benefits of British rule, the peace and order, the gift of educa- tion : " faulty as it is in many resj^ects, and greatly as it needs to be reformed and renovated from top to bottom, it is still the greatest gift of Providence to my race ". "The root-cause," he said, of most of our misfortunes, which, if not corrected, forebodes serious disasters in the future, is the growth of an unsympathetic and illiberal spirit in the bureaucracy towards tl)e new-born hopes and ideals of the Indian people. While a new India has gradually been rising up, that spirit too has been growing, and so the critical situation has arisen : on the one hand, the educated classes, filled with new knowledge and conscious of new political rights, but hampered by the bars and fetters of .fi .system perhaps good enough for other days but now .obsolete ; on the other, the bureaucracy with its vested interests, its domineering habits, its old traditions of obsolete and unquestioned authority, suspicious of know- ledo-e and averse to innovation like every close corpora- tion, cut off from the people by its racial exclusiveness, ;and wedded to a paternal system of Government under ■which it has so long enjoyed power and pelf but which is discordant with the more lilieral ideals of the present day. THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 531 He strengthened this contention by giving a long list of the cases in which the bureaucracy had work- ed against Indian interests. After condemning the coercive policy, the President turned to the Regulations which had wrecked the Reforms, and subjected theni to a searching analysis, and he complained that all attempts to unite Hindus and Muhammadans were opposed by the Anglo-Indian press. When under the advice of Sir Williirim Weddei'burn and H. H. the Aga Khan, the representatives of the two communities were about to meet at Alhihabad a year ago, with the object of reconciling their differences, an Anglo- Indian paper, >Yhich is believed to be an organ of the Civil Service, remarked : " Why do these men want to unite the two communities, if it is not to unite them against the Government ?" This one remark thj^ows a g'hastly light upon the political situation in India. The President declared against the introduction of communal representation into Local Bodies, and commented sarcastically on the Burn circular in favour of it ; the circular advocated sepai'ate electorates for Muhammadans while also allowing them to vote in mixed electorates, as this would be helpful in maintaining friendly relations between the two com- munities. " I will only say that this solicitude for promoting our unity is rather a heavy draft upon our credulity." The employment of Indians in the Public Service, " which has been before the Govern- ment for nearly a century," the proposal to found Hindu and Muslim Universities which he warmly praised, the Elementary Education Bill of Mr. Gokhale, 532 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the status of Indians in the Colonies — all came under review. The l*resident, in conclusion, spoke ringing words on the "ideal of Self-Government within the Empire ". Our agitation, in order to be effective must be National not .sectarian, persistent not spasmodic, directed by intelligence and Avisdom and not impulsive aud reckless. Enthusiasm, is good, and idealism is good, and even crying for the moon is sometimes good ; and I for one sympathise with those who are called visionaries and dreamers, for I know that in every active and reforming body there is always an extreme wing that is not with- out its uses in great human movements. I know that moderation sometimes means indifference, and caution timidit}^ and I hold that India needs bold and enthusiastic characters — not men of pale hopes and middling ex- pectations, but courageous natures, fanatics in the cause of their country. The President ended amid loud applause, and the Congress adjourned to the following day. On the assembly of the Congress on the second day, some letters and telegrams having been read, the President moved from the Chair the first Resolu- tion of loyal homage to the King-Emperor and Queen-Empress on their visit, and it was carried with hearty cheers and telegraphed to His Majesty. Resolution 11 thanked His Majesty and also the Government of India and the Secretary of State for annulling the Partition of Bengal. It was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji in a grateful speech, in which he dwelt on the wasdom of the action taken, and rejoiced that all India, which had helped the Bengalis in their struggle, now shared in the joy of THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 533 their triumph ; he concluded with a hope that India would form " part and parcel of the Self-Governing States of a great, free and federated Empire, rejoicing in our indissoluble connection with England, and in the enjoyment of the inestimable blessing of new-born freedom ". The Hon. Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar se- conded the Resolution, praising the courage of the Secretary of State and the Viceroy in facing the opposition in England, and gratefully recognising the noble courage of the King, who had risked personal opprobrium by announcing the reversal. The Resolution was supported by Mr. C. P. Rama- swami Aiyar, who pointed to the importance of the issue raised in the question — whether the people should be consulted, or the Government should act in an arbitrary and secret fashion. A question supposed to be settled had been re-opened by constitu- tional agitation, and they now knew that when a wrong had been done, right agitation would redress it. The Resolution was further supported by Mr. Muralidhar Rai and Mr. D. E. Wacha, who voiced the sympathy of Bombay, and by Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, who in the course of an admirable speech, said : Gentlemen, on this day of universal rejoicing when every heart in India in general and in Bengal in particu- lar is beating in unison with reverence and devotion to the British Throne and overflowing with revived con- fidence and gratitude towards British statesmanship, I will not — I dare not — recount the painful records and recall the bitter memories of the past 5 years. Let the 584 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM dead past bury its dead. Let suspicion and disti'ust, malice and rancour, rage and repression — those ev'il spirits that revel in darkness — vanish from the land, and let cavil and calumny be hushed into silence. Groping our way through the darkness of defeat and despair, we have by the grace of God at last emerged into the breaking sunshine of success. Gentlemen, some of us never faltered — no, not even in the darkest days of our trials and tribulations — in our hope, in our conviction and in our faith in the ultimate triumph and vindication of British justice. In that hope we have lived, in that con- viction we have worked and in that faith we have patieiitly suii'ered and waited. We had read English history in vain, if we had failed to grasp the one great lesson it teaches, that though British statesmanship has blundered in many places it has ultimately failed no- where. British conscience, however much darkened at times by other considerations, has invariably vindicated itself by rebelling at the end against proved tyranny, injustice and oppression to suffering humanity. The nation of Howard and Wilberforce, of Edmund Burke and Ewart Gladstone, of Henry Fawcett and John Bright, of Bentinck, Canning and Ripon, cannot per- petrate a wrong, and if it ever does, it will that day cease to be the greatest nation that it is on the surface of the earth. Messrs. Muhammad Ali Choudliuri and Rambbuj Dutt Clioudluu'i further supported, and the Resolu- tion was passed. The agitation, carried on from 1905 to 1911 has taught two great lessons : first, that where India demands justice insistently and refuses to be silenced, she must succeed, however apparently hopeless the task ; secondly, that w'hen Britain reverses a policy of wrong and nobly does the right, she strengthens, she does not weaken, the ties between India and herself. India is too mighty to be refused when slie speaks out, and when her THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 535 children, as in Bengal, are ready to suffer ; England is too just to refuse, when she sees earnestness and the will which demands redress. The final outcome is thus a mutual advantage, drawing the two Nations together, not rending them apart. Resolution III, thanks for the formation of the Province of Behar and the expression of the wish that the Bengali-speaking districts should all be under one administration, was moved very briefly by Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, seconded by Mr. Paramesh- varlal, supported by Messrs. Ananda Charan R,ai, Anath Bandhu (luha, and A. Choudhuri, and carried. Resolution IV asked for the removal from the Statute Book of the Seditious Meetings Act, Press; Act, and the de23ortation without trial Regulations, It was moved by the Hon. Rai Bahadur Baikuntha- nath Sen in a powerful speech, urging the necessity of getting rid of repressive measures. Mr. Daji Abaji Khare sec(jnded, and put the case in a nutshell : ' Now let us consider what was the effect of these Acts. That effect was very well portrayed in one of the speeches delivered in the Supreme Legislative Council. These Acts, it EQiist be conceded, practically killed political life in India. There were many meetings held, but for what ? They gave instructions for collecting subscriptions, for memorials, for congratulations and for similar things, but there were no meetings to protest against wrongful or illegal acts, there was no agitation against measures which were not liked by the people. There were no speeches against any of these things either delivered from the platforms or any letters published in the public print, because almost everyone was afraid that if he came within these laws or transgressed the laws there was a chance of his being held up not under the ordinary law 536 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM but under these darkenin.o' laws which no doubt were laws but were the most illegal of laws. You may pass anything and call it a law, but all the same they are illegal laws which ought never to have been on the Statute Book. They should not blot the Statute Book whicii is framed under the segis of the greatest politicians of England. I therefore say that these statutes were not required, they are .not certainly required now and the sooner they are abolished the better for everyone concerned. Of course we say that you passed them because you thought that the times were such that the Government required such measures, but now with the modification of the Partition these times have gone by, and we say that whatever occasion there was, whatever case there may have been in favour of these Acts, that is all finished and therefore you must take away these statutes. As regards the deportation regulations, no doubt they are the old standing regulations of ISlo, no doubt it has been said that almost every Government has in its •armoury of weapons some regulations of this kind for removing dangerous people at a moment's notice. I can quite conceive tha^ in exceptional times when there is danger of a revolution in the country, such regulations may properly be used, but I do not concede that there was such a danger ; and although a weapon may be good, I do not concede that tlie arms which wielded these weapons were arms that ought to have been trusted with these weapons. A knife may be very good, but if you entrust it into improper hands it is bad. It would be better to take away the knife from such hands, or to see that the person who holds it is more reasonable. So far as these regulations are concerned, in every case in which there lias been deportation the Government were> forced to admit that they took steps and deported these people entirely on no ground whatever. A common policeman makes a report, that report is forwarded by his superior to a superior officer, and it passes from one to the other until ultimately it is sent up to the Government, THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 537 and it is taken to be gospel by the Government. In tliis way the liberty of the most respectable man and the most law-abiding- citizen will be threatened without his knowledge, and without the man having any notice of wdiat is going- on. Regulations like that, which are worked by such machinery, require to be removed forth- with. Therefore we pray that these regulations be abolished and that the future history of India should not be allowed to be darkened with such shameful measures. Rao Bahadur G. Srinivasa Eao supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution Y amended the Congress Constitution ; Mr. Bhupendranath Basu brought up the Report of the Sub-Committee appointed by the previous Congress, and the Subjects Committee having approved it, it w^as submitted to the Congress and passed. The Hon. Mr. M. S. Das moved Resolution VI, supporting the Swadeshi Movement ; it was seconded by Mr. S. K. Nair, supported by Messrs. Sasanka Jihan Rai and Dwarkanatli, and carried. Resolution VII urged the necessity of immediate measures being taken to promote Sanitation ; it was moved by Dr. Sarat K. Mullick, seconded by Dr. J. N. Ghose, supported by Kaviraj Jatindranath Sen, and carried. Resolution VIII, practically identical with Reso- lution IX of the previous Congress, was moved by Mr. A. P. Patro, seconded by Mr. N. A. Dravid, and carried. Mr. D. E. Wacha moved Resolution IX, bringing up once more the vital question of the enormous growth in public expenditure, and dealt with it in his 538 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM own exhaustive fashion. The kernel of his speech was in the pregnant sentence : The expenditure has grown during the last 10 years by 1^ per cent more than the revenue. This is a frightful state of things. If you are a business man, and your income is only growing at the rate of one per cent and you are spending three, the inevitable result will be that your house will be in bankruptcy. This is exactly the state of things in which the Government finds itself. Mr. Pramathanath seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution X, praying for the abolition of the countervailing excise duties on Indian cotton, handi- capping the growth and expansion of the Indian cotton industiy, was proposed by Mr. D. A. Khare, seconded by Lala Gobardhan Das, and cai*ried. The sitting closed with the passing of Resolution XI, on the familiar question of Land Settlements, moved by the Hon. Mr. M. S. Das, seconded by Mr. V. Venkateswarlu, and supported by Mr. Pantulu. The third day opened with sad and startling news — the sudden and unexpected death of the Hon. Mr. V. Krishnaswami Aiyar, which deprived the National party of one of its pillars. A message of condolence was at once wired to his familv. Resolution XII, supporting the Hon. Mr. Gokhale's Elementary Education Bill, then before the Supreme Legislative Council, was appropriately moved by the Hon. Dewan Bahadur L. A. Govindaraghava Aiyar, one of the best friends of education in Madras. He said that the opposition of the Local Government rendered the support of the Congress all the more THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS oBO necessary, and this was the chief reason for putting forward this special resohition, in addition to a more general one. He reviewed the arguments put for- Avard against the Bill, and shattered them one by one. (Strangest spectacle of all was the objection that compulsion would bring odium on the Government, the Government which had passed the Seditious xMeetings Act and the Press Act ! Mr. R. P. Karandikar seconded the Resolution, and pointed out that the boys asked for educa- tion ; they were helpless and should be helped. The Resolution was supported by Dr. Gour, Dr. Satish Chandra Bannerji — who regarded edu- cation as the question of questions, for the National Ideal could not be reached without it — Rao Bahadur V. R. Pandit, Mr. Jitendralal Bannerji — who said that Mr. Gokhale had exhausted the subject, and they could only repeat his arguments and figures — and the discussion was closed by the Hon. Mr. Gokhale, who noted the approval with which the Bill had been met on all sides. Without compulsion universal education was impossible. To be success- ful it must be introduced gradually in areas where primary education was valued. The Central Govern- ment would not introduce it, so they must move the local bodies. If the Bill were defeated, they must agitate with all their might and main, and they would presently win, and lay the foundation of a noble Democracy, llie Resolution was carried. Resolution XIII urged a modification of the Regu- lations under the Indian Councils Act of 1909. 540 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Mr. A. Choudhuri moved it, giving practical illustra- tions of the working of the " non-official majority " ; Mr. V. Naidu seconded it, Pandit Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri supported it, and it was carried. Resolution XIV, against separate electorates for Local Bodies, brought up again the arguments of the previous year. It was moved by Pandit Gokarannath Misra, seconded by Munshi Narayan Prasad, and carried. Resolution XV, the Separation of Judicial and Executive functions, was put from the Chair and carried. ' The Subjects' Committee brought up another Reso- lution (XVI) on the Congress Constitution, as there existed much difference of opinion as to the amend- ments thereon, and it was decided that the All-India Congress Committee should consider and report to the next Congress what further modifications should be made in the Constitution and Rules, Article I being kept intact. Carried. Mr. Hasan Imam invited the next Congress to Bankipur and the invitation was accepted. The proposal (Resolution XXXIII) was interjected at this point, as Mr. Imam was ill and was obliged to leave. Resolution XVII dealt with the old question of Police Reform : it was no fault of the Congress if Resolutions were instances of perpetual motion, for the Government was an instance of perpetual immobility. Tlie Hon. Mr. Karandikar moved, Mr. Birendranath Sasmal seconded, Messrs. V. N. THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 541 Jakatdan, Samasamudran Pillai and Bislinupada Cbatterji supported, and it was carried. The President moved Resolution XVIII on Educa- tion and it was carried. In Resolution XIX the Congress recorded again its " emphatic opinion " in favour of Simultaneous Examinations, and Mr. V. V. Jogiah recalled the Act of 1883, and the enforcement in 1853, and the Queen's Proclamation, und su welter. Mr. Kane seconded, and the Resolution was carried once more. The Hon. Mr. S. Sinha proposed. Dr. Tej Baha- dur Sapru seconded, Resolution XX, asking for an Executive Council and a Governor for the U. P. Carried. Resolution XXI, Release of Political Prisoners; Resolution XXII, Executive Council for the Panjab ; Resolution XXIII, Council and status of British Province for C. P. and Bei-ar, were all put from the Chair. Messrs. P. C. Bannerji and G. Sarma moved and seconded Resolution XXIY, the lioary request of opening the higher grades of the Army to Indians. Carried. Is it any wonder that we want Home Rule, when India has been vainly asking for thirty years for the removal of preposterous injustices ? Resolution XXV was brand-new, and asked that all Indian High Courts should have direct relations with the Government of India such as had the High Court of Fort William (Calcutta) ; it was moved by Mr. Pravas Chandra Mitra. Control exercised by 542 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Local Governments over High Courts, he said, was not desirable, and he gave details to show that the prestige and independence of the High Courts would be increased b}' the proposed change. Mr. Atul Chandra Rai seconded, and the Resolution was carried. Having thus refreshed itself with novelty, the Congress returned to its old friends, and the Presi- dent put from the Chair Resolution XXYI, Indians in the Medical Service ; Resolution XXVII, Law Membership ; and Resolution XXA^III, Reduction of Cable Rates. Indians in the Colonies made up Resolution XXIX, moved by Mr. J. Choudhuri — great Charter of 1858 again — seconded by Mr. C. Y. Chintaniani, supported by Dr. Manilal and Mr. Sorabji Sapurji, one of the passive resisters, who had been to gaol eight times, and was going back immediately in case he were wanted again. Mr. H. S. L. Polak, the gallant Jewish gentleman who, as a member of an oppressed race, felt for the woes of other oppressed races, made a fine speech full of facts. 8,500 sentences of hard labour had been endured by the jiassive resisters, who were treated so badly, Mr. Gandhi among them, that they were unrecognisable when they came out. Boys and men were deported penniless. Businesses were ordered to be removed and so ruined. Men were forced to re-indenture, because they had not means to pay the tax for excuse. And so on. The Resolution was carried. THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 543 Then came three more Resolutions from the Chair : Resolution XXX, re-appointing the General Secre- taries ; Resolution XXXI, the thanks of Congress to Sir William Wedderburn, Mr. A. 0. Hume, Sir Henry Cotton, and the British Committee ; Resolution XXXII, api3ointing the All-India Congress Com- mittee, as elected by the Provincial Congress Committees. Mr. A. Choudhuri then moved a vote to the President, carried with hearty cheers. He spoke a few grateful words in reply, and the Twenty-sixth National Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Welcome to Their Majesties I. Resolved — That this Congress in humble duty respectfidlv tenders its most loj'al homage to the Throne and Person of their Imperial Majesties, the King-Emperor and the Queen-Empress, and feels confident that their visit to India will be productive of lasting benefit to the peojjle of this country. Thanks of Congress The Re-Uihiting of Bengal II. Resolved — Tnat this Congress respectfully begs leave to tender to His Imperial Majesty the King-Emperor a humble expression of its profoitnd gratitude for his gracious announcement modifying the Partition of Bengal. The Congress also places on record its sense of gratitude to the Government of India for recom- mending the modification and to the Secretary of State for sanction- ing it. In the opinion of this Congress, this administrative measure will have a far-reaching effect in helping forward the policy of con- ciliation with which the honoured names of Lord Hardinge and Lord Crewe will ever be associated in the public mind. The Creation of the Province of Behar III. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of profound gratitude to His Majesty the King-Emperor for the creation of a separate Pi-ovince of Behar and Orissa under a 544 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Lieutenant-G-overnor in Council, and prays, thafc in re-adjustinpj the provincial boundaries, the Government vrill be pleased to place all the Bengali-speaking districts under one and the same adm iriistration . Sanitation VII. Resolved — That this Congress, vi'hile thanking the Government for having initiated a system of Scientific Enquiry into the circumstances affecting the origin and progress of plague, malaria and other diseases, urges the necessity of inimediately taking in hand such practical measures as the opening of congested arens, the reclamation of silted rivers, the clearing of jungles, the draining of water-logo-ed areas, and better provision for the supply of pure di'inking water throughout the country. XXXI. Resolved — That this Congress desires to convey to Sir William Wedderburu, Mr. A. Hume, Sir Henry Cotton and other members of the British Committee its grateful thanks for their disinterested and strenuous services, and it takes this oppor- tunity to make an earnest appeal to the Indian public to pl.ice adequate funds at the disposal of the Commictee to enable it t > carry on its work with vigour. [And see VIII and XXVI.] Coercion IV. Resolved — That this Congress respectfully repeats its protest against the Seditious Meetings Act and the Press Act, and prays that, in view of the loyal enthusiasm evoked by the Royal visit, and the official pronouncements about an improvement in the general situation, these measures, as well as the Regulations authorising deportations without trial, may now be removed from the Indian Statute Book. Relrnxc of Pollticnl Prii^oners XXI. Resolved — That, in view of the gratif^-ing improvement in the general situation of the country, this Congress respectfully submits that the advent to India of Their Imperial Majesties may be signalised by the release of those who are undergoing imprisonment for purely political offences ; such an act will be appreciated throughout India, and will deepen the feeh'ngs of profound gratitude and loyalty which the Royal visit has evoked. Congress Constitution V. Resolved — That the Constitution nnd Rules of the Indian National Congress as amended by the Sub-Committee appointed at the last Session of the Congress be adopted. THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 545 XVI. Resolved— That the All-India Congress Committee be asked to consider and report to the next Congress what further modifications may be made in the Constitution and Rules with a view to promote the objects of the Congress as laid down in Article I of the Constitution, keeping that article intact. Sisadeshi VI. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement and calls upon the people of India to labour for its success by making earnest and sustained efforts to promote the growth of indigenous industries by giving preference, whenever practicable, to Indian products over imported commodities, even at a sacrifice. liOcal Self-Government VIII. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its satisfaction that the Secretary of State has recognised that the Local Self-Govern- ment scheme of Lord Ripon has not had a fair trial, and the Congress expresses the earnest hope that the Government may be pleased to take early steps to extend the application of the principle of election in the constitution of all Local Bodies, and to confer upon them the right of electing non-official chairmen, and further that they may be provided with adequate financial aid by the State. Finance IX. Resolved — That having regard to the enormous growth that has taken place in the public expenditure of the countrj-, this Congress urges that early steps be taken towards effective retrenchment in all the spending departments for the Imperial and the Provincial Governments and specially the Military Department. Excise Duties and Cotton X. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the coun- tervailing Excise Duties on Indian Cottons are handicapping the growth and expansion of the Indian manufacturing industry, and earnestly prays to the Government of India that they may be abo- lished at an early date. Permanent Settlements XL Resolved — That a reasonable and definite limitation to the demand of the State on Land and the Introduction of a Perman- ent Settlement directly between the Government and holders of laniJ in ryotwari areas, or a settlement for a period of not less than 6U 42 546 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM years in those Provinces where short periodical settlements or revisions prevail, will, in the opinion of this Congress, substantially help in ameliorating the present unsatisfactory condition of the agricultui-al population. Education Mr. Gul-hale\< Bill XII. Resolved — That tliis Congress accords its whole-hearted support to the principles of the Hon. Mr. Gokhale's Elementary Education Bill and expresses its earnest hope that the Government will be pleased to afford the necessaiy facilities for the further stages of this Bill in Council. HigJier and Technical Education XVIIl. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Congress the time has arrived for people all over the countrj' to take up earnestly the qiiestion of supjjlementing existing institutions and the efforts of the Government by organising for themselves an independent system of Literary, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Education, suited to the conditions of the different Provinces of India. This Congress further is of opinion that the Government :should take early steps : (a) to assign larger sums of money to Secondary and Higher lEducation (special encouragement being given where necessary to educate all backward classes) ; (b) to make adeqiaate provisions for imparting Industrial and Technical EducMtion in the different Provinces, having regard to local requirements ; and (c) to give effective voice to the leaders of Indian public opinion in shaping the policy and system of Education in this country. Representation XIII. Resolved — While recognising the necessity of providing for a fair and adequate representation in the Legislative Council for the Muhammadan and other commimities where they are in a minority, this Congress disapproves of the Regulations promulgated in 1909 to carry out this object by means of separate electorates, :a)nd in particular urges upon the Government the justice and ex- pediency of modifying the Regulations framed under the Indian Cormcil's Act of 1909 before another election comes on, so as to remove anomalous distinctions between different sections of His Majesty's subjects in the matter of the franchise, and the qualifica- tions of candidates and the arbitrary disqualifications and restrictions for candidates seeking election to the Councils. This Congress also \ THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 547 urges a modification of the Resolutions, where necessary, relating to the composition of non-official majorities in the Provincial Coun- cils so as to i-ender them effective for practical purposes. Separate Electorates XIV. ]iesolved— That this Congress strongly deprecates the extension of the principle of Separate Communal Electorates to Municipalities, District Boards or other Local Bodies. Council and Governor XX. Kesolved — That this Congress strongly ui'ges upon the Government the justice of creating an Executive Council in the United Provinces at as early a date as may be practicable, and it further expresses an earnest hope that those Provinces will soon be jjlaced under a Governor, as Matlras, Bombay and Bengal. Council for tltr Panjab XXII. Resolved— That this Congress expresses its earnest hope that the Government will be pleased to appoint an Executive Council for the Panjab. Councils for C. P. and Berar XXIII. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the time has come for the establishment of a Pro\-incial Legislative Council for the Central Provinces and Berar, and for according to Bei-ar, which is now held by the British Government on a permanent tenure, the status and privileges which are accorded to Provinces included in British India. Legal Separation (f Judicial and Executive Fujictions XV. Resolved — (a) That this Congress places on record its sense of regret that notwithstanding the hopes held out by the Government some time ago that the Executive and Judicial functions were soon to be separated, no effective steps have yet been taken in that direction, and, concurring with previous Congresses, it urges that any scheme of Sepai-ation to be really effective must place all the judiciary completely under the control of the highest civil courts in every Province in respect of pay, promotion and transfer. (b) This Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges that the Judicial Service in all parts of the country should be recruited mainly from the legal profession. High Court !i XXV. Resolved — That this Con.rress is strongly of opinion that all the High Courts in India should have the same direct 548 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM relations with the Government of India alone as the High Court of Fort William in Bengal at present lime. La^v Memhershlp XXVII. Resolved - That in view of the fact that Section III of the Indi m Councils Act of 1861 is understood in practice to limit appointment to the office of Law member of the Viceroy's Executive Council to members of the English Bar only, thereby greatly restricting the field from which a selection may be made, this Congress urges that the said section be so amended as to allow Advocates, Vakils and Attorneys-at-Law of Indian High Courts being appointed to that office. Public Service Police XVII. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its deliberate opinion that the reforms in the Police system which have been effected imder the recommendations of Sir Andrew Eraser's Commission have not produced the results which had been anticipated, as is evident from the judicial findings of the highest courts in some recent cases, and they have not improved the quality or the efficiency of the police force, including the village police. This Congress is of opinion that the pay and prospects of the Indian officers are not sufficient to attract the best men to the Service, and it strongly protests against the practical exclusion of Indians of a better class from the higher offices of trust and responsibility, and records its conviction that no real improvement in the methods of Police investigation can be effected unless con- fessions are made inadmissible, except when made at trial. Si mult a neo un Examinations XIX. Resolved — That this Congress record.s its emphatic opinion that the present differentiation of the Civil Service into (1) the Imperial Service recruited in England, mainly from Europeans ; and (2) the Provincial Services recruited in India, mainly from Indians, is opposed to the declarations made in the statutes of 18';3 and 1870 and the Queen's Proclamation of 1858, and that such differentiation should be abolished as early as }K)Ssible and thiit Indians should be afforded equal opportunities with Europeans, for appointment to posts now reserved for the Imperial Service, hj the holding of Simultaneous Examinations in England and India under conditions calculated to secure the best men for the posts. Military XXIV. Resolv(!d — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that the injustice of keeping the higher ranks of the Army closed THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 549 against the people of this country should remain no longer unredressed, and this Congress expresses its earnest hope that the general expectation in the country that, before His Imperial Majesty the King-Emperor leaves the shores of India, a mo)-e liberal policy under which commissions in the army will be granted to selected Indians will be announced, will not be disappointed. Medical XXVI. Resolved — (a) That this Congress while thanking the Secretary of State for his despatch regarding the employment of Indians in the superior posts of the Civil Medical Service, regrets that no action has as yet been taken in the matter. (b) In the interests of the public, and the medical service and the profession, as well as for the sake of economy in expendi- ture, this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, 'urges the constitution of a distinct Indian Medical Service wholly independent of the Indian (Military) Medical Service. Reduction of Cable Bates XXVIII. Eesolved — That in the opinion of this Congress, and in the interests of the newspaper press and of trade and •commerce, it is extremely desirable that the rate of Cable Messages between England and India should be further reduced, so as to bring it into line with the rate which, under recent arrangement, has been announced to come into force between England and Canada and Australia from the ensuing year. Indians in the Colonies XXIX. Resolved--(o) That this Congress, anticipating the forthcoming legislation of the Provincial Settlement recently arrived at, cordially congratulates Mr. Gandhi and the Transvaal Indian Community upon the repeal of the anti-Asiatic Legislation of the Province regarding registration and immigration, and expresses its high admiration of the intense patriotism, courage and self-sacrifice with which they — Muhammadan and Hindu, Zoroastrian and Christian — have suffered persecution in the interests of their countrymen, during their peaceful and selfless struggle for elementary civil rights against overwhelming odds. (b) Whilst appreciating the endeavours that have been made from time to time to secure the redress of the grievances of the Indians of South Africa and other British Colonies, this Congress urges that, in view of the avowed inability of His Majesty's Government to adopt a firm and decisive attitude in this matter, the Government of India should take such retaliatory measures as may be calculated to protect Indian self-respect and the interests of 550 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Indian residents in those parts of the Empire, and thus remove a great source of discontent among the people of this country. (c) This Congress further protests against the declaration of responsible statesmen in favour of allowing the Self-Governing Colonies in the British Empire to monopolise vast imdeveloped tei-ritories for exclusive white settlements, and deems it its duty to point out that the policy of shutting the door in these territories against, and denying the rights of full British citizenship to, all Asiatic subjects of the British Crown, while preaching and enforc- ing the opposite policy of the open door in Asia is fraught witli grave mischief to the Empire and is as unwise as it is unrighteous. (d) Wliilst thanking the Government of India for the prohibi- tion to the recruitment of indentured Indian labour for South Africa, this Congress is strongly of opinion that in the highest National interests, the system of indentured labour is undesirable and should be abolished, and respectfully urges the Gov^-rument to prohibit the further recruitment of Indian labour under contract of indenture, wiiether for service at home or abroad. Formal XXX. Resolved— That Messrs. D. E. Wacha and D. A. Khare be appointed General Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXXII. Resolved — That the following gentlemen do form the All-India Congress Committee for the next year (list omitted). XXXni. Resolved— That the next Congress be held at Bankipur. CHAPTER XXVIT Most unfortunately, something went wrong with the reporters at this meeting and there is no Official Record of the Twenty-seventh Congress at Bankipur, in December, 1912. The President was Mr. E. N. Mudholkar, and the Constitution and Rules of the National Congress were there again passed as amended. It would be well, if possible, to make even a skeleton Report, with the Resolutions at leasts Some joapers, making this possible, must be in the- hands of Messrs. D. E. Wacha and D. A. Khare. CHAPTER XXVIII The Twenty-eiglitli National Congress met in Karachi, Sindh, on the 26th, 27th and 28th December, 1913. The Pavilion was dignified and well decorated, and each of the sixteen gates was ornamented with a motto descriptive of the objects of the Congress — an original idea. The delegates were 550 in number, distributed as follows : Bombay and Sindh ... 264 U. P. ... 13 Pan jab 10 Behar... 4 Madras 33 Bengal 22 Canada 3 Sindh (Reception Committee) 201 550 Some notable figures were absent from the Con- gress. The heart-affection which killed him in 1915 kept Mr. Gokhale away, and Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Mr. Surendranath Bannerji and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya were all absent. The Hon. Mr. Harchandrai Vishindas, the Chair- man of the Reception Committee, welcomed the THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 553 President-elect and the delegates, and gave a short sketch of Sindh and its special difficulties, such as its decennial revision Settlements and its irrigation problem. He then turned to the various questions which lay before the Congress for discussion, and finally called on the deh^gates formally to elect the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur as President. The proposal was moved by Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudhol- kar, seconded by Rai Baikunthanath Sen, supported by Mr. Gropaldas Jhamatmal and Pandit Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri, and carried with acclamation. After speaking of the necessity of the continued work of the Congress, he alluded to the King- Emperor's message on leaving India, and urged that the unity hoped for by His Majesty should be sought, and that Muhammadans, Christians, Parsis and Hindus, should advance together, rather than in separate groups. He noted the rappruclierneiit of Hindus and Musalmans, as shown by the hope ex- pressed by the All-India Muslim League that the leaders on both sides should meet periodically " to find a mudus uperaiidi for join.t and concerted action in questions of public good ". He next spoke of the troubles of the Indians in South Africa, then reaching their climax, and he advised retaliatory measures against South African whites, such as shutting out Natal coal, and closing the door of the Civil Service against them. He then turned to the India Council and the need for its radical reform ; it must be only an advisory, not an adminis- trative body. He repeated the condemnation of the 554 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM Regulations which had spoiled the reforms, showed how dilatory was the action of Grovernment with regard to Local Self-Government, emphasised the enormous importance of Primary and Technical Education, and the need of Permanent Settlement to relieve the grave economic situation. The President alluded also to the Public Service Commission then in India, and urged the granting to Indians of Commissions in the Army, quoting some recent remarks on the subject by Lord Minto in London, the previous year, relating his efforts to bring it about. He then said a few words, fraught with deep emotion, on " the subversion of the Ottoman power in Europe and the strangling of Persia," and expressed the grief Avith which all the Muslims had felt the blow to their Turkish brethren. He concluded with an earnest plea that Hindus and Musalmans should clasp hands, and work for the Motherland. " The tide of National Unity .... by God's grace, will surely sweep away in its majestic onward course the unnatural and artificial barriers of race, colour and religion." The President resumed his seat amid loud applause. The second day's work began with the moving from the Chair of Resolution I, regretting the deaths of Mr. J. Ghosal and Mr. Justice P. R. Sundara Aiyar. It was passed standing. Resolution II, dealing with the Indians in South Africa, was moved by Pewan Bahadur L. A. Govinda- raghava Aiyar, and seconded by Lala Lajpat Rai in Hindustani. It was supported by six more speakers. THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 555 who urged the arguments so familiar to us all, and was carried. The second day began with the moving of Resolu- tion in, the Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions, by Mr. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, who quoted Sir Harvey Adamson's condemnation of a judge having the police organisation at his back ; Mr. R. C. Dutt and Sir Pherozeshah Mehta had show- ed that the reform would not entail extra expenditure. A re-distribution of functions among munsiffs, magistrates and judges could be made without greater cost. Mr. K. C. Ganguli seconded, complaining that the Congress had passed an annual resolution since 1886, but the bureaucracy opposed it. Messrs. Lalchand Navalrai and Abdul Rahman supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution IV welcomed the adoption by the Muslim League of the ideal of Self-Grovernment for India, and the declaration of the necessity of harmonious co-operation, to be found by the leaders deciding on joint concerted action. It Avas proposed by Mr. Bhupendranath Basu, saying that Hindus and Muhammadans must concentrate their attention on the one united ideal, for the Iiidia of to-day was not the India of the Hindu or the Muslim, nor of the Anglo-Indian, much less of the European, but the India in which all had a shai-e. " If there have been misunderstandings in the past, let us forget them." If they were united, " the India of the future will be a stronger, nobler, greater, higher, aye, and a brighter India than was realised by Ashoka in the 556 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM plenitude of liis power, a better India than was revealed to Akbar in the wildest of his visions ". Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar seconded, and said that the Congress and the League now stood on a common platform, and could work together. Mr. Jehangir B. Petit said that many had thought that Hindus and Muslims would never unite, but that if they did they would be a powerful instrument for good and a force to be reckoned with. Mr. D. A. Khare said that Self-Government would be won by the brotherhood of Hindu and Muslim. Mr. Mathradas Ramchand further supported, and Mr, C. Gopala Menon welcomed the pronouncement of the Muslim League as marking an important epoch in the history of the Congress. Mr. D. B. Wacha said that the Congress had entered on a new Nativity and with the new Star they would achieve new success. The Resolution was carried with great applause. Resolution V was on the Reform of the India Council. It was moved by Mr. M. A, Jinnah, who pointed out that the Council was composed of old officials who had served in India, and non-official India had no voice. 1'he Secretary of State was responsible to noljody, and was a greater Mughal than any Mughal who had ever ruled in India. Mr. N. M. Samarth seconded, and said that the Secretary of State for India should be accountable to Parliament as was the Secrotaiy for the Colonies, and one-third of the Council slujuld be elected by Indians. The Hon. Mr. Krishna Rao supported, and gave a short review of the changes that had taken place in the THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 557 constitution of the Council. The Resolution was further supported by Messrs. Gopaldas Jhamatmal and Surendranath Mallik, and carried. The Congress then adjourned. On meeting for the third session, the Congress took up a new question, the " continuous journey clause " of the Canadian Privy Council Order, No. 920. The ingenuity of this clause was that it forbade Indians to enter Canada unless they had made a continuous journey from India, and they could not make a continuous journey because there was no direct boat-service and the Steamship Companies refused through booking. Hence it forbade the entry of any Indian into Canada, and prevented any Indian already there from bringing over his wife and family. [It was this Order which caused the chartering of the Kumagatu and the subsequent troubles.] The Resolution (VI) was moved by Sardar Nand Singh Sikra, who, himself a Sikh, spoke for his brethren in Canada, but pointed out that all India suffered in the suffering of Sikhs in Canada and Indians in South Africa, and " we join hands as one United Nation, and with one heart and one voice we condemn the Colonial atrocities '\ The Chief Justice of British Columbia had condemned as illegal the Federal Orders in Council, but that did not seem to help them much. General Swayne had explained the real reason of the exclusion. He said : One of those things that make the presence of East Indians here, or in any other white Colony, politically inexpedient, is the familiarity they acquire with the 558 HOW INDIA WROUGHT TOR FREEDOM whites, the instance of which is given by the speedy elimination of caste in this Province, as shown by the way all castes help each other. These men go back to India, and preach ideas of emancipation, which, if brought about, would upset the machinery of law and order. While this emancipation may be a good thing at some future date, the present time is premature for the emancipation of caste. Is then the whole Empire in a conspiracy against Indian freedom, and is caste to be a Aveapon in the hands of the bureaucracy to prevent her emancipa- tion ? The Sardar 8ahab was one of tlie three delegates elected by the Canadian Sikhs on February 22nd, 1913, to go to the Congress and represent their grievances. Mr. Krishna Kumar Mitra seconded, remarking that it would be better for Canadians to say openly that they would not admit Indians rather than pass so cowardly a law. Mr. Ayub Khan and Pandit Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri supported, and the Reso- lution was carried. Resolution VII was on the Pul)lic Service Commis- sion, and was very full, laying down the grievances under which Indians suffered and suggesting changes. It was moved by Rai Baikunthanath Sen Bahadur, who remarked on the charges levelled by witnesses before the Royal Commission against Indians ; it was said they had defects in moral character, and were lacking in physical endurance, administrative efficiency and power of initiative. He brought in rebuttal the districts in East Benofal where there were anarchical THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 559 disturbances, and while those managed by British Civilians were much disturbed, those in charge of" Bengali Civilians were kept quiet. He asked for the cases where Indians had failed. Witnesses from English commercial houses naturally preferred their own kith and kin and depreciated Indians. The Hon. Dr. Nilratan Sarkar seconded, and took the sound ground that Indians had a birthright to serve their own country, and that non-Indians should be admitted only when necessary and for a short time. But in the Public Services, "the upper branch is synonymous with European, and the lower with Indian. This is as indefensible in principle as it is mischievous in practice," "We are to remain content as a Nation of assistants." He illus- trated Indian efficiency with various examples, and remarked that Dr. Pal Roy had no equal in India, " but he is to remain all his life in the Provin- cial inferior Service ". Messrs. V. V. Jogiah Pantulu and Mathradas Ramchand supported the Resolution and it was carried. Mr. Bhupendranath Hasu moved Resolution VIII, asking for the repeal of the Press Act. He pointed out that in 1837, Sir Charles Metcalfe had liberated the Indian Press ; Lord Lytton replaced fetters in 1878 with his Vernacular Press Act, but Mr. Glad- stone repealed it. When Sir Herbert Risley spoke in 1910 in favour of introducing the present Press Act, he had destroyed several papers, such as the G'ltgaiitar, and had said that in the 47 cases instituted by Government under the old law 560 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FRKKDOM of sedition, a conviction had been secured in every one. What more did they want ? The Law Member, who certainly believed what he said, had laid stress on the right of appeal to the High Court^ but in a late case the High Court had said that a for- feiture was invalid and illegal, but the High Court had no power to interfere. So there was " a special law of a very drastic nature without any safeguards," and it was " a wet cloth on all expressions of public opinion ". " Situated as the Government of India is, foreign in its composition and aloof in its character, that law is a source of great peril." Mr. Dalvi, seconding, quoted Sir L. Jenkins, the Chief Justice, in the Comrade case, who said that it is difficult to see to what lengths the operation of these sections may not be plausibly extended by an ingenious mind. Mr. J. Choudhuri, supporting, gave his own case as editor of a legal journal, tbe Calcutta Weekly Notes. His printer and publisher died, and he had to find a new one, and was running backwards and forwards between his office and the Presidency Magistrate's Court before his declaration was accepted. The C.I.D. could find nothing against the printer, except that his knowledge of English was not as perfect as it mijjht be! Sir Herbert Risley had said that the Press Act Avould not affect existing papers, and that the administration of the law would not be in the hands of tlie Police. Both assurances were false. When a declaration is made the magistrate hands over the papers to the C.T.D., and tlie Hahul Alatin, an existing paper, was called on to furnish security. THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 561 Mr, Kishindas Jhamrai supported the Resolution, and it was carried. Resolution IX, on Permanent Settlement, was moved by the Hon. Mr. A. S. Krishna Rao, seconded by Rao Bahadur Hiranand Khemsing, supported by Mr. Mathradas Ramchand, and carried. Then followed a series of Resolutions, put from tli-e Chair : X, Army Commission ; XI, Education (including a protest against the veto by the Government of India of three lecturers, Messrs. Rasul, Subravardi and Jayaswal, on the ground of their connection Avith politics) ; XII, High Courts ; XIII, Swadeshi ; XIV, Indentured Labour ; XV, Local Self-Government ; XVI, Council Regulation ; XVII, Executive Councils for U. P. and Panjab ; XVIII, authorising the All- India Congress Committee to arrange a deputation to England, to represent Indian views on : (1) Indians in S. Africa and the Colonies; (2) Press Act; (8) Reform of the India Council; (4) Separ- ation of Judicial and Executive Functions ; (5) Important Questions on which Congress has expressed opinion ; XIX, Thanks to Sir William Wedderburn and members of the British Committee. These Resolutions, put .seriatim, were really our old friend the Omnibus. Resolution XX, was an expression of deep regret at the retirement of Messrs. Wacha and Khare, from the office of Secretaries, and thanks for their work. Rai Baikunthanath Sen Bahadur voiced the gratitude of the Congress to the eminent veteran, who had acted for 18 years, with great self-denial and ability. 43 562 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FKEEDOM Mr. Khare had worked well for 6 years. Mr. C. P. E,amaswami Aiyar seconded, saying that the great- ness of the Congress was largely due to its Secretaries. The Resolution was carried with cheers, and then the Hon. Mr. Harchandrai Vishindas proposed and Mr. D. G. Dalvi seconded the election of the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad Bajiadur and Mr. N. Subba Rao Pantulu as General Secretaries for the ensuing year. Carried. Mr. N. Subba Rao invited the Congress to Madras, and Resolution XXII decided the acceptance. The vote of thanks to the Chair was moved by Mr. Ghulamali G. Chayla, seconded by Mr. Bhupendranath Basu, supported by Mr. Lakamal.Chellaram and Mir Ayab Khan, and carried by acclamation. The President's brief reply closed the proceedings, and the Twenty-eighth National Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Grief of Congress I. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of the great loss sustained by the country by the death of Mr. J. Ghosal, who was a staunch worker in the Congress cause, and Mr. Justice P. R. Sundara Aiyer. Indians in South Africa and Canada Soidlt Africa II. Resolved — (a) That this Congress enters its emphatic protest against the provisions of the Immigration Act in that they violate the promises made by the Ministers of the South African Union, and respectfully urges the Crown to veto the Act and requests the Imperial and Indian Governments to adopt such measures as would ensure to the Indians in South Africa just and honourable treatment. (h) Tliat this Congress cxjjresses its abliorrence of the cruel treatment to which Indians were subjected in Natal in the recent THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 563 strikes, and entirely disapproves of the personnel of the Committee appointed by the Sotith African Union to enquire into the matter, as two of its members are already known to be biassed against Indians and as it does not include persons who command the confidence of Indians in South Africa and here. (c) That this Congress tenders its most respectful thanks to His Excellency the Viceroy' for his statesmanlike pronouncement of the policy of the Government of India on the South African question. (d) That this Congress requests the Imperial and Indian Governments to take the steps needed to redress the grievances relating to the questions of the £H tax, indentured labour, domicile, the Educational test, validity of Indian Marriages and other questions bearing on the status of Indians in South Africa. (e) That this Congress expresses its warm and grateful ajapreciation of the hei-oic struggle carried on by Mr. Gandhi and his co-workers, and calls upon the people of this country of all classes and ci'eeds to continue to sitpply them with funds. Canada VI. Resolved — That this Congress strongly protests against I3rohibition of immigration, resulting from the operation of the Canadian Privy Council Order No. 920, generally known as the " Continuous .lournej' Clause, " as the order in question has practically the effect of preventing any Indian, not already settled there, froni going to Canada, inasmuch as there is no direct steamship serv'ice between the two Countries, and the Steamship Companies refuse through booking, and further subjects the present Indian Settlers in Canada to great hardship by precluding them from bringing over their wives and children. This Congress, there- fore, urges upon the Imperial Government the necessity of secur- ing the repeal of the said Continuous Journey Regulation. Legal Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions III. Resolved — That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges the early Separation of Judicial from Executive Functions in the best interests of the Empire and prays that any scheme of Separation that may be undertaken to be really effective must place all judiciary solely under the control of the highest Court in every Province. Higlt Courts XII. Resolved — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that all the High Courts of India, inclusive of non-chartered High Courts, should have the same direct relation with the Government of India alone, as the High Court of Fort William in Bengal has at 564 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FREEDOM the present time. The Congress is, further, of opinion that the Cliief Judge of unchartered High Courts should be appointed from the members of the bar. [See VII c, 3.] Union for Self-Government of Congress and Muslim League IV. Eesolved — That this Congress places on record its warm appreciation of the adoption by the All-India Muslim League of the ideal of Self-Government for India within the British Empire, and exjaresses its complete accord with the belief that the League has so emphatically declared at its last sessions that the political future of the countx-y depends on the harmonious working and co-operation of the varioiis Communities in the country which has been the chei-ished ideal of the Congress. This Congress most heartily welcomes the hojae expressed by the League that the leaders of the di&'erent communities will make every endeavour to find a modus operandi for joint and concerted action on all questions of national good and earnestly appeals to all the sections of the people to help the object we all have at heart. India Council Reform V. Resolved — That this Congress is of opinion that the Council of the Secretary of State for India, as at present constituted, should be abolished, and makes the following suggestions for its reconstruc- tion : (a) That the salary of the Secretary of State for India should be placed on the English Estimates. (6) That, with a view to the efficiency and independence of the Council, it is expedient that it should be partly nominated and partly elected. (c) That the total nximber of members of the Council should not be less than nine. {d) That the elected portion of the Council should consist of not less than one-tliird of the total number of mcjmbers, who should be non-oificial Indians chosen by a constituency consisting of the elected members of the Imperial and Pro\ incial Legislative Councils. (e) That not less than one-half of the nominated portion of the Conncil should consist of public men of merit and ability uncon- nected with the Indian administration. (/) That the remaining portion of the nominated Council should consist of officials who have served in India for not less than THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 565 10 years and have not been away from India for more than two years. (g) That the character of the Council shouUl be advisory and not administrative. (h) That the term t)f office of each member should be five years. Public Service VII. Resolved — (a) That this Congress places on record its indignant protest against, and emphatically repudiates, as utterly unfounded, the charges of general incompetence, lack of initiative, lack of character, etc., whicli some of the witnesses, among whom this Congress notices with regret some of the highest administrative officers, have freely levelled at Indians as a people. (h) That this Congress begs to express its earnest hope that the Royal Commissioners will, alike on grounds of justice, national progress, economj^^ efficienc}' and even e.xpediency, see fit to make recommendations which will have the certain effect of largely increasing the present very inadequate proportion of Indians in the high appointments in the Public Services of their own country ; thus redeeming the solemn pledge contained in the Charter Act of 1838 and the Royal Proclamation of 1858. (c) In particular, this Congress places on record its deep conviction : (1) that justice can never be done to the claim of the people of this country unless the examinations for the recruitment of the superior oflEices of the various Services be held in India at) well as in England ; (2) that the age limit in the case of candidates for the Indian Civil Service should not be lowered, as such a step will operate to the disadvantage of Indian candidates as well as prove detrimental to efficiency ; (3) that the Judicial and Executive Services and Functions should be completely separated and the Judicial Service recruited from the legal profession and placed in subordination to the High Court instead of to the Executive Govermnent; (4) that such restrictions as exist at 2^i'esent against the appointment of persons other than members of the Indian Civil Service to certain high offices be removed ; (5) that any rule or order which, in terms or in effect, operates as a bar against the appointment of an Indian as such to any office under the Crown for which he may othomvise be eligible, should be rescinded as opposed to the Act and the Proclamation hereinbefore mentioned ; 566 HOW rnciA wrought for freedom (6) that the division of Services into Imperial and Provincial be abolished and the conditions of Services be equalised as between Indians and Europeans, and that in case the division be maintained, the recruitment of the Executive branch of the Provincial Civil Service be made by means of an open competitive examination instead of hj nomination ; (7) that in case the said division be maintained, the Indian Educational and other Services be recruited in India as well as England, and Indians of the requisite attainments be appointed thereto both directly and by promotion from the respective Provincial Services ; (8) that civil medical posts should not be tilled by the appointment of members of the Military I. M.S. or I.S.M.D., and a distinct and sejiarate Indian Civil Medical Service should be constituted tlierefor and recruited by means of a competitive examination held in India as well as England ; educational and scientific appointments, however, being filled by advertisement in India and abroad ; (9) that the present scale of salaries is siiificiently high and should not be raised, and further, that exchange compensation allowance should be abolished, as it has been a costly anomaly since exchange was fixed by statute ; and (10) that the people of those dominions of the Crown, where they are not accorded the rights of British citizens, should be declared ineligible for appointments in India. Coercion Pre^a VIII. Resolved — That this Congress reiterates its protest against the continuation of the Indian Press Act on the Statute Book, and urges that the same be repealed, specially, in view of the rycent decision of the High Court of Calcutta, which declares that the safeguards provided by the Act arc illusoiy and incapable of being enforced. Permanent Settlement IX. Resolved — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that a reasonable and definite limitation to the demand of the State on land and the introduction of a Permanent Settlement directly be- tween Government and land-holders in ryotwari-areas, or a settle- ment for a period of not less than 60 years in those Provinces where shorter periodical settlements on revision prevail will substantially help in ameliorating the present unsatisfactory condition of the Agricultural poimlation. THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 567 Military X. Resolved — That this Congress again respectfully points out to the Government of India the injustice of keeping the higher ranks in the Army closed against the people of this country, and urges that the same should remain no longer unredressed. [And see VII c, 8.] Education XI. Eesolved — (a) That this Congress, while thanking the Government of India for its donation of larger grants towards the extention of Primary Education in India, is strongly of opiuion that a beginning should now be made for introducing Free and Compalsory Education in some selected areas. (b) That the Congress, while approving of the proposals by Government for introducing teaching and residential Universities, is strongly of opinion that that system should svipplement, and not rejalace, the existing system of University Education, as otherwise the progress of Higher Education among the poorer classes will be seriously retarded. (f) That this Congress reiterates its prayer to Government to make adequate provision for iuipartiug Industrial and Technical Education in the different Provinces, having regard to local require- ments. (d) That this Congress records its strong protest against the action of the Government of India vetoing the selection by the Calcutta University of Messrs. Rasul, Suhravardi and Jayaswal, as lecturers, on the ground of their connection with politics ; as the bar of politics is so general as to lend itself to arbitrary exclusion of the best scholarship from the lectnrer's chair, so detrimental to the interests of Education in the country. Swadeshi XIII. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement, and calls upon the people of India to labour for its success, by making earnest [and sustained efforts to promote the growth of indigenous industries, by giving preference, wherever practicable, to Indian jiroducts over imported commodities, even at a sacrifice. Indentured Labour XIV. Resolved — That owing to the scarcity of labour in India, and the grave results from the system of Indentured Labour, which reduces the labourers, during the period of their indenture, 568 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FRBKUOM practically to the position of slaves, this Congress strongly urges the total prohibition of recruitment of labour under indenture, either for work in India or elsewhere. Bepresentation XV. Resoh^ed — That this Congress expx-esses its regret that the recommendations of the Decentralisation Commission, with regard to the further develoiDment of Local Self-Govemment, have not yet been given effect to, and urges that the Government of India may be pleased to take stejjs, without delay, to increase the powers and resoiirces of Local Bodies. XVI. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of keen disappointment that at the last revision of the Legislative Council Regulations, the anomalies and inequalities, rectification of which the four previous Congresses strongly urged upon the Government, were not removed. And in order to allay the widesj^read dissatisfaction caused by the defects complained of, and in view of the experience of the last four years, this Congress earnestly prays that — (1) there should be a non-official majority in the Imperial Legislative Council ; (2) there should be a majority of elected members in all Provincial Councils ; (3) the system of voting by delegates be done away with, where it still exists ; (4) the franchise be broadened by simplifying the qualifications of electors, basing it on education, property or income ; (5) the Government should not have the power arbitrarily to declare any person ineligible for election on the ground of his antecedents or reputation ; (6) uo person should be held ineligible for election on the ground of dismissal from Government Sei'vice, or of conviction in a criminal court, or from whom security for keejiing the peace has been taken, unless his conduct has involved moral turpitude ; (7) no projierty or residential qiialification should be required of a candidate, nor service as member of a Local Body ; (8) a person ignorant of English should be held ineligible for membership ; (9) it should be expressly laid down that officials should not be allowed to influence elections in any way; (10) Finance Committees of Provincial Coimcils should be more closely associated with Govern- ment in the prejjaration of the Annual Financial Statements; (11) there shouJd be a Finance Committee of the Imperial Legislative Council as in the case of Provincial Legislative Councils ; (12) the right of putting supplementary questions should be extended to all members and not be restricted to the member putting the original (piestion : (13) tlie strength of the Panjab Council be raised fi'om 26 to 50, and more adequate representation be allowed to the Panjab in the Imperial Council. And further, this Congress, while recognising the necessity of providing for a fair nnd adequate representation in the Legislative Councils for the Muhammadans'or the other communities where they THE TWE>fTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 569 are in a minority, disapproves of the present regulations to carry out this object by means of separate electorates. XVII. Resolved — That the Congress again urges that an Executive Council, with an Indian member, be established in the United Provinces at an early date, and is of opinion, that a sinular Council should be established in the Panjab too. Deputation to England XVIII. Resolved — That the All-India Congress Committee be authorised to arrange for a Depxitation consisting, as far as possible, of representatives from different Provinces, to England, to represent Indian views on the following subjects: (1) Indians in South Africa and other Colonies ; (2) Press Act ; (3) Reform of the India Council ; (-4) Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions; (5) And important questions on which Congress has e.xjiress- ed opinion. Thanks of Congress XIX. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of high appreciation of the services of Sir William Wedderburn and other members of the British Committee, and resolves that the organisation of the British Committee and India should be maintained. [See II c, XI a, XX.] Retirement of General Secretaries XX. Resolved — That this Congress expresses its sense of deep regret at the retirement of Mr. D. E. Wacha and Mr. D. A. Khare, from the office of its General Secretaries, and begs to place on record its sense of warm appreciation of the very signal and distinguished Services rendered by the former for IS years, and the latter for 6 yeai's, to the cause of the Congress. Formal XXI. Resolved— That the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadm- and Mr. N. Subba Rao Pantulu be appointed General Secretaries for the next year. XXIJ. Resolved — That the Congress of the year 1 914 be held in the Province of Madras. CHAPTER XXIX The Twenty-ninth National Congress met in Madras on the 28th, 29th, and 80th December, 1914. The Pavilion was erected in the grounds of Doveton House, Nungambaukam, and, draped in white, with flower- wreathed pillars and decorated with many flags, the portraits of their Imperial Majesties and the Royal Arms, the whole appearance was light and graceful. The delegates rose to the number of 866, the largest number that had assembled since 1907. They were grouped as follows : Madras ... 748 Bombay and Sindh ... ... 54 Bengal ... 38 U. P ... 12 Berar ... 5 C. P 2 Behar 5 Panjab Burma 2 866 The Reception Committee was a very large one, 355 in number, and the arrangements made by them were very satisfactory. THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 57 1 The platform was very crowded with ail the nota- bilities of Madras when the President-elect came in, in procession, escorted to the Pavilion door by a guard of Congress A^olunteers on cycles. He was accom- panied by many of the Congress leaders and the six Secretaries of the Reception Committee, and was received by Sir S. Subramania Iyer, the Chairman of the Reception Committee. He said a few words of welcome, and then gave his speech to be read by Mr. K. N. lyah Iyer. Instead of reviewing the ques- tions which the Congress was to discuss, the Chairman took up certain points of wide importance. He urged the desirability of winning the co-operation of the landed aristocracy, who ought not to hold themselves aloof from the National work, sharing as they did the advantages resulting from it. Next, attention should be given to the improvement of the village life, the organic unit of administra- tion ; there should be a network of village Panchayats, as under the Chola dynasty, yet nothing had been done in this Presidency, despite the report of the Decentralisation Committee, now five years old. Loan Societies must also be started, to relieve the ryot from his indebtedness, while there should be storage facilitiesfor grain, and sufficient fixity of tenure. Turning to the Congress the Chairman protested against the idea that it should come to an end, for it was the centre of Indian Nationality, but its work should continue during the year, and funds should be raised for the purpose. Finally, he urged that India should rise to the full height of her spiritual 572 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM stature, sliould abstain from the greed of exploiting the best spots of earth for herself, and conquer by love, not hate. They must unite and unify, despite tlie prejudice so widely shown against the coloured race. The Sovereign had shown deep sympathy with India, and an abiding care for her welfare, and India must prove worthy of his love, sympathy and care. The for null election of Mr. Bhupendranath Basu as President was moved by Mr. Surendranath Banner ji, who described him and himself as lifelong friends, comrades, co-workers, and companions in arms. He told of the services rendered by the President-elect in • the troublous times of the Partition, and warmly wel- comed him to the Chair. The Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad seconded, speaking of the useful work Mr. Basu had done in England. The motion was supported by Bao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar and Mr. Samarth, and carried by acclamation. The President spoke of the difficulties under which the Congress met, a devastating War, in which Britain and India were iighting side by side in the cause of honour, liberty and justice. One of the chief functions of the Congress was to act as His Majesty's Opposi- tion, and that could not be effectively discharged at the moment. Britain did not come as an invader to India, but gained power by treaties with Princes and People, the Princes becoming Allies, and the People equal subjects, of the Crown, under solemn Charters and Statutes. This was apt to be forgotten. He then alluded to the Deputation to England and the India Council Bill, rejected by the House of Lords, THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 573 though it fell short of Indian expectations. India wants to abolish the Council, but it would be wise to press for the Reforms advocated in the Congress, Also he desired to see constituted a Parliamentary Commit- tee, which might be kept furnished with information on Indian affairs. The Government of the country was still vested in a foreign Civil Service, there being only 70 Indians out of a cadre of 1,400 men. This Service remained while all the higher officers came and went, and it was responsible to no one. They form the Executive Council of the Viceroy, save for one Indian member ; the India Council, save for two. They are thus their own Court of Appeal. Six Governments out of nine are furnished by them with rulers. All the great Depart- ments of State are under their control. Thej^ would be more than human if they did not desire to remain as they are : Against this state of things we have a people rapidly awakening to self-consciousness ; thousands of our boys are receiving education on western lines in Indian Uni- versities based on western models ; hundreds of them are daily flocking to the Universities of Europe, America and Japan, and on their return home spreading the knowledge that they have acquired. You may chain Prometheus, but the fire is lighted and cannot be extinguished. India wants a higher life, a wider sphere of aetivit}' and useful- ness. India wants that her Government should be con- sistent with her growing self-respect and intellectuality. India wants that the presumption whirh has all along existed, and which the Board of Directors in 1833 made a vain attempt to dispel, namely, that the Indians can only rise to a rertain limit, should be removed from the precincts of her Court, as it has been from the Statute Book, and 574 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM the door to her Services should not be closed by artificial barriers against her own sons. India wants that her children should have the same rights of equal citizenship as other members of the Empire. India wants the removal of vexatious hindrances on the liberty of speech and free- dom of the Press, fruitless and dangerous alike to the Government and the people. And, above all, India wants that her Government should be an autonomous Govern- ment under the Britisli Empire. Then only the great benefits, which have emanated from British rule and which carry with them the memory of doles, will be sweetened with the sweat of her brow. The President declared : The Indian Inireaucracy do not offer us any construc- tive programme for the future of India, no land of promise to her children. They are content to work for the day and take no thoug'ht for the morrow. An autocratic Viceroy or Secretary of State may put extra steam into the machinery of the Indian Government, or try to shut the safety-valve, but the great fly-wheel is not easily disturbed. And the bureaucracy have given us honest and conscientious workmen, not troubled, it may be, with the visions of the future, but they have reason to be well pleased with their work : they have given us internal peace and guarded us from external aggression ; the blessings of an ordered administration are apparent on every side. Why should India resent ? Her Government has always been that of one man's sway whether she was an Empire or broken into small States of varying dimen- sions. Why should she object to the Government of an outside bureaucracy ? My answer is : the days of the lotus-eater are gone, the world is swinging onward on the uplifting ropes of time, and in Europe, the war of nations, now in progress, will knock off the last weights of mediaeval domination of one man over many, of one race over anotlier ; it is not possible to roll back the tide of wider life which is flowing like the warm Gulf Stream throuo'h the gateways of the West into the still waters of the PJast. You may abolish the study of English history THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 575 and draw a sponge over all its enthralling story of free- dom ; you may bar Milton and Burke, Mill and Spenser ; you may bend the Indian Universities to your will if you like, fetter their feet with obstructive statutes, but you cannot bar the imponderable influences of an expanding world. If English rule in India meant the canonisation of a bureaucracy, if it meant perpetual domination and perpetual tutelage, an increasing dead-weight on the soul of India, it would be a curse to civilisation and a blot on humanity. But I am doing injustice to a large body of Civil Servants who have loyally accepted the recent reforms and who seek to remain true to the traditions of Munro and Elphinstone. Separation from England was not desirable^ and none save a few youths desired it. Neither subordination nor separation was wanted, but " a joint partnership on equal terms ". The Constitution for India should be modelled on that of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Australia, modified to suit India^ and with a representative of the Crown at its head. Some special changes were needed : The right to carry arms, the right to bear commis- sions in the Army, and lead our men in the cause of the Empire, the right to form volunteer corps in the defence of hearth and home, how long will these be denied to the Indian people ? How long will India toddle on her feet, tied to the apron strings of England ? Time it is that she stood on her legs for herself as well as for England. What could be more humiliating to India and to England alike, if England were obliged in the hour of some great danger, as Imperial Rome was in her day, to leave India unarmed and untrained to the use of arms, and, as her civil population is, a prey to internal anarchy and external aggression ? What commentary would it be on 150 years of British rule in India, that England found the people strong though disunited and left them helpless and emasculated ? And, on the other hand, what cf)uld be 576 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM more glorious both for India and England than that India, strong in her men, strong in her faith, should stand side by side with England, share her troubles and her dangers and be joint defenders of their common heritage. How different would England's position have been to-day, had she trusted India. She would have had a wall of men against which Germany would have hurled itself in vain. England is now pouring out wealth and men in defence of her plighted word to Belgium. And what of India ? India's claim " is not a pra^^er, but a call in the name of the people of India, enforced by the moral sense of mankind^ which^ if religions are not mere myths and their teachings empty shibboleths, will survive the clash of arms and the fate of Nations ". The President concluded : Brother delegates, it is no use looking backward ; no use in vain regrets. Let us be ready for the future, and I visualise it. I see my country occupying an honoured and proud place in the comity of nations. 1 see her sons sitting' in the Councils of our great Empire, conscious of their strength, and bearing its burden on their shoulders as valued and trusted comrades and friends, and I see India, rejuvenated and re-incarnate in the glories of the future broadened by the halo of the past. What does it matter if a solitary raven croak from the sand banks of the Jumna and the Ganges ? I hear it not, my ears are filled with the music of the mighty rivers, flowing into the sea scattering the message of the future. Brother delegates, let us live as the ancients lived, in the purity of heart, so that the message may be fulfilled ; let us forget the narrow barriers of man's creation : let us be humble and forget the pride of self ; let us step across the barriers of prejudice; let us always be with our hand on the plough, preparing the soil for the harvest of the future ; let our heart-strings be attuned to God and Country and THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 577 then no power on earth can resist the realisation of that message, the fulfilment of the Destiny that is ours. And assembled in this tabernacle of the people, let us pray to Him, who knoweth all hearts, to grant us grace and strength that we may deserve and bear this future and this destiny. The Congress then adjourned, after cheering to the echo a speech filled with the new life throbbing through India. On the second day, the first duty was to move from the Chair three Resolutions of sorrow : I, Condolence with the Viceroy for the terrible bereavements he had suffered ; II, the great loss to the country in the death of Gangaprasad Varma, the staunch worker and stain- less gentleman ; III, the deaths of Mr. Amberal Sakerlal Desai and Mr. Bishnupada Chatterji, both good Congressmen. The Resolutions were passed in silence, the audience standing. Resolution IV, expressing the loyalty of the Con- gress to the Throne was arranged to fit in with the visit to the Congress of H. E. the Governor of Madras, who was greeted by the rising of the Congress and hearty applause. It was the first visit ever paid by the Representative of the Crown to the Congress. The Resolution was moved by Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, who eloquently voiced the loyalty of India, it being a fit time to declare it when the Empire was- engaged in War, and the Congress spoke in the name of the Nation. Dewan Bahadur L. A. Govinda- raghava Aiyar seconded, and spoke of the ingrained loyalty of the Hindu heart to which loyalty was part 44 578 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM of religion. Mr. Mehta, C.I.E., the Hon. Mr. S. B. Upasani, Pandit (lokarannath Misra, Mr. Harikishan Sinha, Mr. N. A. Dravid, Mr. Gopaldas Chamatmal, and Mr. M. D. Devadoss further voiced the same idea, each in his own way ; the Resolution was then carried, and H. E. the Governor left, after a few words of thanks from the President, amid the loud cheers of the audience. Mr. A. P Patro, who had begun to move Resolu- tion Y, on the despatch of the Indian Expeditionary Force, a minute before the arrival of H. E. the Governor, then resumed his speech, expressing the pride felt by Indians in the recognition of their share in the Empire in that they were called to its defence. Mr. Jogendranath Bose seconded, Mr. G. K. Gadgil, Pandit Iqbal Narain Musaldan, and Mr. 1). V. Prakasa Rao supported, and the Resolution was carried. Rao Bahadur R. N. Mudholkar moved Resolution VI, urging the Government to open the higher ranks of the army to Indians, to establish Military Schools and Colleges and to allow Indians to volunteer. This had been urged by the Congress from its beginning; H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught had urged the first two points ; Lord Kitchener was said to have been in favour of admitting Indians as far as majors, and it was thought that the King would have announced this in 1911, Now the pressing need had arisen. For over 80 years the Statute of 1833 had remained unfulfilled, and the pledge of the Prochtmation of the Queen in 1858 was THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESvS 579 still unredeemed. There was no legal bar to Indians volunteering. Some of his friends were Volunteers. But their names were taken off the list in 1898, with- out reason given. Mr. J. Choudhuri seconded, and urged that India was surrounded b}^ powerful eastern Nations, and should be organised for self-defence. Messrs. Senathi E,aja, K. Venkata Reddi, R. Y. Gupta, A. C. Partha- sarathi Naidu, all supported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution VII, asking for the modificatiou of the Arms Act, was moved b}- Mr. A. J-*. Sen, who gave instances of the hardships suffered. In a raid upon a house in Oudh, two members of the household, out of seven, were killed. There were 10 armed robbers, 7 unarmed persons. In another case a " Baron of Oudh " had his licence to bear arms cancelled, because he refused to give evidence in a police prosecution. Mr. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar seconded, cpioting Milton who said that no Nation Avas a free Nation unless its citizens were trained to the use of arms. Lord Roberts said that a man was not fully a citizen, if he was unable " to defend himself, his home and his liberties ". That was the right they asked. The Rules framed under the Act made galling distinctions of race and creed, and they deprecated such distinctions. It was the duty of England to grant their demand. The periodical renewals, " which operate as galling reminders of the servitude of the people, should be removed for ever. In fine, we ask that we should be treated as self-respecting citizens of the Em])ire, and 580 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM be given oppoi-tunities of developing to the best advantage the manhood in us." Mr. Krishnadas Rai laid stress on the ravages of wild animals, the destruction of valuable crops, and the consequent running of large tracts of land to waste. Dacoits were becoming numerous because they knew whole villages were unarmed and they could plunder at pleasure. Bomb-throwers and dacoits had their way ; the police could not defend the people, and the people were not allowed to defend themselves. While the English papers talked of Indian loyalty, the magistrates here were busy in confiscating, on technical grounds, the feAV licensed guns possessed. Mr. S. Soma- sundaram Pillai supported and the Resolution was carried. Resolution VIII defined what was meant by " Reciprocity " between India and the Colonies, and was moved by Mrs. Annie Besant. She said Confucius advised people to recompense evil with justice, and justice lay behind reciprocity. There had been talk of a reward due to India's loyalty, l)ut " India does not chaffer with the blood of her sons and the proud tears of her daughters in exchange for so much liberty, so much right. India claims the right, as a Nation, to justice among the Peoples of the Empire. India asked for this before the AVar. India asks for it during the War. India will ask for it after the War, but not as a reward but as a 7'ight does she ask for it. On that there must be no mistake." She then asked them not to try to limit the right of the Colonies to be masters in their own lujuses, for Tndia would have THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 581 that same right soon. Whatever rule a Colony made as to the entry of Indians, that rule should India make as to the entry into India of people of that Colony. Again, India might exclude imports where her people were excluded. Imports from Australia to Madras were as much in a year as Rs. 18,40,000. After saying that the indenture system must be stopped, she concluded : " India is growing in the sense of her own dignity. She is not content to be any longer a child in the nursery of the Empire. . . . She is showing the responsibility of the man in Europe. Give her the freedom of the man in India." The Hon. Mr. P. Kesava Pillai seconded in a few sentences, pointing out that as long as Indians were treated as inferiors in their own country, the Colo- nists would not treat them as equals. Mr. Hridayanath Kunzru dealt with the Canadian difficulties. If the Indian Government would notify that aliens in India will be treated as Indians are treated abroad, that would exercise a wholesome influence on them. The Resolution was put and carried, and the Con- gress adjourned. On the third day. Resolution IX, on the Protec- tion of Indian Industries, was moved by the Hon. Mr. K. R. Y. Krishna Rao. He urged that the State ought to help Home Industries, but that nothing could be done unless the Governments were allowed to regulate their own tariffs. Prof. V. G. Kale seconded, and urged that poverty could only be removed by industrial advancement, and that needed the direct assistance of the State. Mr. J. C. Chakravarti 582 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM supported, and said the War had shown our utter help- lessness in the industrial world. Mr. G. K. Devadar ui'ged industrial autonomy, so as not to be so dependent on other countries. Mr. S. K. Nair further supported, and the Resolution was carried. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji moved Resolution X, claiming Self-Grovernment for India, in a long and eloquent speech. India took her stand on the Proclama- tion of 1858, and called on the (lovernment to give effect to the Despatch of 25th August, 1911, until " India would consist of a number of administrations, autonomous in all provincial affairs, with the Govern- ment of India above them, and possessing powers to interfere in case of mis-Government ". Mr. Bannerji quoted a letter from the Chairman of an English organisation for the introduction of a federal system of Government, in which he asked " India to organise her strength for this movement, and educate her public both in India, and all parts of the world ". The speaker urged his audience to " formulate your scheme, press it u])()n the attention of the British public, and I am confident that your appeal will not fall upon needless ears ". Mr. Sadhu Ganapathi formally seconded, Mrs. Annie Besant supported, urging the younger, " who will be part of the Self-Governing Nation," to practise the science and art of Government in the Local Bodies, however crippled they might be by officials, 'i'he drudgery of learning local administration prepared a man for wider power. Prcjvincial autonomy was a step to complete Sclf-Ciovernmant. She then THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 583 vindicated India's worthiness of freedom, and asked Congress to formulate a definite scheme of Self- Government, to present to England after the War. Mr. Suweshchandra Bose supported, and urged that India could be a pillar of strength to England, and after the War she shovild press her claim to tSelf-Government. Resolution XI, on India Council Reform, was moved by Mr. A. S. Krishna Rao, seconded by Mr. K. M. Choudhuri, supported by Mr. P. C. Mitra, and cairied. Mr. G. A. Natesan moved Resolution XII rejoicing over the partial settlement of the South AfricarK troubles, but he pointed out that the question was not really solved. Mr. S. Prasad Basu seconded, Messrs. Lakshminarasimha and Ramalcantam Malaviya sup- ported, and the Resolution was carried. Resolution XIII, asking for the total Prohibition of Indentured Labour, was moved by Mr. F. G. Natesan, in an impassioned speech, seconded by Mr. Totaram Senadhya from the Fiji Islands and carried. The President then put from the Chair Resolution XIV, Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions ; XV, Swadeshi; XVI, Press Act; XVII, Permanent Settlement; XVIII, Separate Electorates; XIX, sending a message of greeting to Indian troops; XX, asking for an extension of Lord Hardinge's term of Ofhce ; XXI, Reference to a Committee of two amendments to Article XX of the Consti- tution; XXII, Thanks to Sir William Wedderburn and the British Committea; XXIII, re-election of 584 HOW INDIA WRODGRT FOR IREEDOM Nawab Sahab Syed Muhammad and Mr, N. Subba E-ao as General Secretaries. Resolution XXIV thanked the Deputation which went to London for its good work. The Deputation consisted of Messrs. Bhupendranath Basu, M. A. Jinnah, N. M. Samarth, S. Sinha, Mazaral Haq, the Hon. Mr. B. N. Sarma and Lala Lajpat Eai. The Hon. Mr, K. Chidambaranadha Mudaliar seconded the Resolution, and it was carried. Resolution XXV approved the All-India Committee for the ensuing year. Resolution XXVI accepted the invitation to Bombay for the next Congress, offered by Sir Vitaldas Damodar Thi-ickersay, Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar then moved a vote of thanks to the President, and it was carried with great enthusiasm. The President made an earnest and •g-raceful speech in answer, and the Twenty-ninth J^ational Congress dissolved. RESOLUTIONS Grief of the Congress 1. Resolved — ^This Congress desires to express its heart-felt and respectful sympathy with H, E, Lord Hardinge in the bereavements he has sustained by the death of his wife and of his eldest son. All India mourns with His Excellency in his great sorrow. IT. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on rec^ord its sense of the profound sen-row and irreparable loss the country has sustained by the untimely death of Babu Ganga Prasad Varmawho was a devoted worker in the cause of the Congress from its earliest days, and whose memory will be cherished with grateful affection by liis friends and colh!agues and by his coiuitrymon at large for his many distinguished services. III. Resolved — That this Congress desires to express its dec]! sorrow for the death of Mr. Ambei'al Sakerlal Desai, and of Babu THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 585 Bishnu Pada Chatterji of Bengal, who were devoted and distin- guished workers in the Congress cause, and who rendered it vahiable service. Loyalty to the Throne IV. Resolved— (o) That this Congress desires to convey to His Majesty the King-Emperor and the people of England its profound devotion to the Throne, its unswerving allegiance to the British connection, and its iirm resolve to stand by the Empire, at all hazards and at all costs. (b) That this Congress places on record the deep sense of gratitude and the enthusiasm which the Royal Message, addressed to the Princes and Peoples of India at the beginning of the War, has evoked throughout the length and breadth of the country, and which strikingly illustrates His Majesty's solicitude and sympathy for them, and strengthens the bond which unites the Princes and Peoples of India to His Royal House and the person of His Gracious Majesty. Military Thf Indian Expeditionary Force V. Resolved — That this Congress notes with gratitude and satisfaction the despatch of the Indian Expeditionary Force to the theatre of war, and begs to offer to H. E. the Viceroy its most heart-felt thanks for affording to the people of India an opportunity of showing that, as equal subjects of His Majesty, they are jjrepared to tight shoulder to shoulder with the people of other parts of the Empire in defence of right and justice, and the cause of the Empire. Military Training and Volunteers VI. Resolved — That this Congress urges on the Government the necessity, wisdom, and justice, of throwing open the higher offices in the Army to Indians, and of establishing in the country Military Schools and Colleges where they may be trained for a military career as officers in the Indian Army. In recognition of the equal rights of citizenship of the people of India with the rest of the Empire, and in view of their proved loyalty so unmistakably and spon- taneously manifested, and the strongly expressed desire of all classes and grades, to bear arms in the service of the Crown and of the Empire, this Congress urges upon the Government the necessity of re -organising the present system of volunteering, so as to ena- ble the people of this country, without distinction of race or class, to enlist themselves as citizen-soldiers of the Empire. •586 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Arms Act VII. Resolved — That in view of the liardshijj entailed by the Arms Act (XT of 1878) as at present administered, and the unmerit- ed slur which it casts upon the people of this country, this Congress is of opinion that the said Act and the rules made thereunder should be so modified that all restrictions as to the possession and bearing of arms shall apply equally to all persons residing in or visiting India ; that all licences issued under the rules shall be granted once for all, shall operate within the provincial jurisdiction within which they are issued, shall be revocable only on proof of misuse, and shall not require yearly or half-yearly renewals. Indian Troops XIX. Resolved — That this Congress rejoices to place on ■ record its deep sense of gratification and pride at the heroic conduct of the Indian Troops whose deeds of valour and conspicuous humanity and chivalry in the Great War, are winning the respect of civilised mankind for the mother country and resolves to send a message of hearty and affectionate gx'eetings to them and their comrades in arms, with fervent prayers for their well-being and success. The President be requested to cable the above Resolution to the Indian Troops, through the proper channels. Reciprocity VIII. Resolved — That this Congress begs to convey to H. B. the Viceroy the profound gratitude of the people of India for the sympathetic manner in which he has handled the questions con- nected with the emigration of Indians abroad, and while welcoming H. E.'s suggestion of Reciprocity as the underlying basis of negotia- tions with the Colonies, this Congress desires to record its conviction that any policy of Recipi-ocity to be effective and acceptable to the people of India, must proceed on the basis that the Government of India should possess and exercise the same power of dealing with the Colonies as they possess and exercise with regard to India. Industries IX. Resolved — That in view of the present exceptional cir- cumstances and in order to promote the material prosperity of the country, this Congress urges that immediate measures be taken by Government to organise and develop Indian Industries. Self-Government X. Resolved — That in view of the profound and avowed loyalty that the people of India have manifested in the present THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 587 erisis this Congress appeals to the Government to deepen and perpetuate it, and make it an enduring and valuable asset of the Empire, by removing all invidious distinctions here, and abroad, between His Majesty's Indian, and other subjects, by redeeming the pledges of Provincial autonomy contained in the Despatch of the 25th, August 1911, and by taking such measures as may be necessary for the recognition of India as a component part of a federated Empire, in the full and the free eujoyment of the rights belonging to that status. India Council Reform XI. Resolved — That this Congress records its opinion that the Council of the Secretary of State for India should be abolished and pending its abolition makes the following suggestions for the amendment of its constitution. («) That the salary of the Secretary of State for India should be placed on the English estimates. (6) That, with a view to the efficiency and independence of the Council, it is expedient that it should be partly nominated and partly elected. (c) That the total number of members of the Council should be not more than nine. (d) That the elected portion of the Council should consist of not less than one-third of the total number of niembers, who should be non-official Indians, chosen by a constituency consisting of the elected members of the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils. (e) That the election of Indians to the Council should be direct, and not of a panel of elected members as proposed in Lord Crewe's Bill. (/) That not less than one-half of the nominated members of the Council should consist of public men unconnected with the Indian Administration. {g) That the remaining portion of the nominated membei's of the Council should consist of officials who have served in India for not less that ten years and have not been away from India for moi-e than two years. {h) That no distinction whatever with regard to salary or allowance should be made between the Indian members and their colleagues in the Council. (j) That the character of the Council should be purely advisory as heretofore and that no change in the methods and procedure should be made which may convert or tend to convert it in any manner whatsoever into an administrative body. 055 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM This Cciio;ress regrets the summary rejection of the Council of India Bill of 1914. South Africa XII. Resolved — (a) That this Congress begs to offer to H. E. the Viceroy, its respectful thanks for the noble and courageous stand made by him in the cause of our people in S.Africa; and, while expressing its grateful appreciation of the efforts of the Government of India, in obtaining relief in respect of some of the most pressing grievances of our Indian fellow subjects and of the firm advocacy in the cause of India of Sir Benjamin Robertson, this Congress begs to place on record that no settlement can be wholly satisfactory or be deemed final, which does not secure equality of treatment between His Majesty's Indian and other subjects in S. Africa, and respectfully urges on the Government of India that steps may be taken as early as circumstances will permit to bring about such equality of treatment. (6) That this Congress places on record its warm appreciation of, and admiration for, the heroic endeavours of Mr. Gandhi and his followers, and their unparalleled sacrifice in their struggle for the maintenance of the self-respect of India and the redress of Indian grievances. (c) That this Congress further expresses its gratitude to Messrs. Pollak and Kallenbach for their voluntary sacrifice and suffering in the cause of India, and to the Rev. Mr. Andrews for his help under circumstances of great difficulty. (d) And, lastly, that this Congress records its appreciation of the invaluable services of the Hon. Mr. Gokhale throughout the struggle in bringing about the present settlement. Indentured Labour XIII. Resolved — That owing to the scarcity of labour in India and the grave consequences resulting from the system of Indentured Labour which reduces the labourers, during the period of their indenture, practically- to the position of slaves, this Congress strongly urges the total yirohibition of recrviitment of labour under indenture, either for work in India or elsewhere. Legal XIV. Resolved — That this Congress, concurring with previous Congresses, urges the early separation of Judicial and Executive Functions in the best interests of tlie Empire and pra_ys that any scheme of Separation that may be undertaken, to b(^ really effective, must plac(i all the .ludiciary solely under the c(mtrol of the highest Court in the Pro\-ince. THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 589 S-wadeshi XV. Resolved — That tliis Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement and calls upon the people of India to labour for its success by ranking earnest and sustained efforts to promote the growth of indigenous industries, by giviuo- preference, wherever practicable, to Indian products over imported commodities, even at a sacrifice. Coercion XVI. Resolved — That this Congress reiterates its protest against the continuation of the Indian Press Act on the Statute Book and urges that the same be repealed, specially in view of the decision of the Calcutta High Court which declares that the safeguards provided by the Act are illusoiy and incapable of beino" enforced. Permanent Settlement XVII. Resolved — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that a reasonable and definite limitation to the demand of the State on land and the introduction of a Permanent Settlement directly between the Government and land-holders in ryotwari areas, or a settlement for a period of not less than 60 j'ears in those Provinces where shorter periodical settlements on revision prevail, will substantially help in ameliorating the present imsatis- factory condition of the agricultural population. Representation Separate Electorates XVIII. Resolved — That this Congess while deprecating the creation of Separate Electorates in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils urges on the Government that the said system should not in any case be extended to the local bodies, as it will prove injurious to the development of national iinity and the fostering of the national ideal. Extension of Lord Hardinge's Term of Office XX. Resolved — That this Congress begs to place on record its high appreciation of the services rendered to India by H. E. the Viceroy and expresses the hope that his tenure of tlie office may be extended for such time as, after the cessation of the War, may be necessary for a proper settlement of the great and far-reaching issues affecting the future position of India as a component and equal part of the Empire. 590 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Congress Constitution XXI. Resolved — That the following two amendments sug- gested for the consideration of the Subjects Committee of this Congress, be referred by the General Secretaries of the Congress to a Committee consisting of three members, to be nominated by each Provincial Congress Committee ; with the General Secretaries as ex- ofHcio members, the said Committee to meet at such time and place as may be fixed by them, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Provincial Congress Committees, and to report to the All-India Congress Committee in regard to the said amendments for such action, if any, as the All-India Congress Committee may deem fit to suggest to the next Congress. The said two amendments are : At the end of Article XX of the Constitution of the Indian Na- tional Congi-ess Organisation now in foire, add the following words : " If such a meeting be not called, it shall be called, for the election of delegates, within one month of the Congress, in anj"^ town or district on the requisition cf not less than 20 householders over 21 years of age to the Provincial or District Congress- Committee, in which the town of the requisition is situate '' 2. In Article XX of the Constitution of the Indian National Congress Organisation now in force make the following alterations : (I) at the end of clause (4) delete the word " and " ; (II) at the end of clause (.5) for the sto]i, substitute a comma : (III) and add the words : "And public meetings convened under the auspices of any association which has, as one of its objects, the attainment of Self- Governnient by India on Colonial lines within the British p]mpire by constitutional means"" Thanks of Congress XXII. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of high appreciation of the services of Sir William Wedderburn and other members of the British Committee, and resolves that the organisa- tion of the British Committee and India should be maintained. XXIV. Resolved — That this Congress acknowledges with deep gratitude the services rendered at great ])ersonal sacrifice by the Deputation which went to England last summer on behalf of the Congress to place before the Secretary of State for India the views of the Congress on the India Council Bill of 1P14 and other important questions. [See IV {}'), V, XII, XiX and XX.] THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS . 591 Formal XXIII. Resolved — That the Hon. Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur and Mr. N. Subba Rao Pantulu be appointed General Secretaries for the next year. XXV. Resolved — That the following gentlemen form the All- India Congress Committee for 1915 (list omitted). XXVI. Resolved — That the next Congress meet in Bombay. APPENDIX THK TWKNTY-SEVENTH a)NGRES8 CHAPTER XXVIl^ The acceptance of Bankipur as the seat of the Twenty- seventh Congress had been made on the invitation of Mr. Hasan Imam, but his raising to the Bench de- prived India of his political services, while opening to him a valuable line of activity. The Chairman- ship of the Reception Committee was assigned to Mr. Mazarhal Haque, known all over India for his courageous advocacy of Indian claims in the Supreme Legislative Council. The pavilion was much admired, and had 28 gates, each named after a famous person or place in the history of Magadha, and there the Congress met on December 26th, 1912. The pavilion seated 5,000 persons of whom 207 were delegates : Madras 19 Bombay Berar ... C. P Pan jab U. P Bengal Behar ... ^ We had relied on a statement of an old Congressman, to the effect that the Report of the Twenty -seventh Congress had not been published. Mr. Ashosh Kumar Bannerji kindly sets us right, and sends a copy of the Report. As the book is " locked up " we print the summary as an Appendix. 45 10 13 1 4 67 ;i5 58 207 596 APPENDIX The President's procession having entered, and the members being seated on the dais, the Hon, Mr. Haque delivered the Welcome Address. He made a feeling allusion to the outrage at Delhi, and to the passing away of two great Congressmen, Allan Octavian Hume, and Krishnaswami Iyer. Then came a swift sketch of Behar history, and a reference to the happy absence of any Hindu-Muhammadan ques- tion in Behar. After a survey of the unfortunate position taken up by English statesmen towards Turkey, and the wise sympathy shown by the Viceroy and the Presidency Governors, and Sir Charles Bayley and Sir James Meston, he voiced the gratitude of the Muhammadans to Mr. Surendranath Bannerji for the sympathy shown in The Bengalee. He concluded by calling on Mr. Surendranath Bannerji to move the formal election of the Hon. Rao Bahadur Pt. N. Mudholkar. The veteran Bengali patriot was followed by the Hon. Mr. G. K. Gokhale, the Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Hon. Mr. N. Subba Rao, Lala Harkishan Lai, Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, and the Hon. Maharaja-Kumar of Tikari, and the proposal was unanimously carried. The President, after a few words of gratitude, spoke of the Delhi outrage with sympathy for the victim and detestation of the crime. He then passed on to the ideal of the Congress, a united and Self-Govern ing India, an India in which jarring creeds should be harmonised, all faiths should be unified, and in which life should be spiritualised. Then he laid India's love THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS 597 and gratitude on the tomb of Mr. Hume, and offered her sympathy to Turkey. Turning to National politics, he laid stress on the entrance of Indians into the Executive Councils, and hailed the Viceregal Despatch of August 25th, 1911, which promised lai-ger measures of Self-Government to the Provinces, " until at last India would consist of a number of administra- tions autonomous in all provincial affairs, with the Government of India above them all, and possessing power to interfere in case of misgovernment, ordinari- ly restricting their function to matters of Imperial concern ". He then pointed out the changes neces- sary in the Council Regulations, and protested against the system of separate electorates, while approving the representation of minorities. He next raised the questioii of the representation of India in the House of Commons. Pondicherry sent a represen- tative to the French Chamber, and Goa to the Portuguese, but the infinitely larger interests of British India were ignored. This section of the subject was completed by the urging of decentralisa- tion, and of the creation of divisional and district Advisory Boards. After a glance at the miserable condition of Indian immigrants into the Colonies, the President turned to the position of Indians here, and accurately pointed out that the scant consideration shown to them abroad was the reflection of their political status at home. He ran over the familiar grievances in the Civil Service, Simultaneous Examinations, Education, Public Works, etc., commissions in the army — all questions 598 APPENDIX occupying the minds of the people. The Congress itself should be improved by the discussion in detail of three or four subjects only, by men who had studied them. The Congress must put forth more sustained energy, and we must remember that social advance and moral and spiritual regeneration must accompany political growth. Only thus can our Motherland become free and great. A change in the ordinary sequence of Congress work was made by the introduction at this point of a Resolution — moved by the Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, seconded by Mr. D. E. Wacha, and supported by Lala Lajpat Rai, the Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Hon. Mr. N. Subba Rao, the Hon. Mr. Krishna Sahai and Mr. kSyed Muhammad Ismail, who all voiced the sorrow and indignation of the Congress for the Delhi outrage — expressing the sympathy and affection felt for the Viceroy. A telegram was ordered to be sent, and the Subjects' Committee being approved, the Congress adjourned. The second day's proceedings began by the recital of a poem on unity between Hindus and Muslims. Then came Resolution II, expressing the grief of the Congress for the death of Mr. Allan Octavian Hume, feelingly moved by the Hon. Mr. Bhupendranath Basu, who recounted his great services to India, seconded by the Hon. Pandit Motilal, and carried in silence, standing. The Viceroy's reply to the Congress telegram, bringing " his warmest thanks to the Indian National Congress for their kind message of sympathy and for their expression of regai-d,'^ was then read. THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS o99 The Hon. Mr. G, K. Gokhale moved Resolution III, while congratulating the Indians in South Africa for some alleviation of their sufferings, protested against the reservation of huge tracts of land for white settlement, and demanded the abolition of indentured labour. Mr. Gokhale explained the private nature of his visit to South Africa, and explained that the restriction of immigration was not a restriction on the Indians but on the Executive, imposing on the latter the admission of an irreducible minimum. He then went over the remaining griev- ances, and urged the Indians at home to support solidly their South African brethren. The Resolution was seconded by the Hon. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, and supported by the Hon. Mr. Mazaral Haque, Lala Lajpat Rai, the Hon. Mr. Harchandrai Bishandas, Messrs. Pramathanath Bannerji, Madanjit, C. Y. Chintamani and Kedarnath, and carried. The fourth Resolution expressed the satisfaction of the Congress at the appointment of the Public Service Commission — a Resolution passed rather too soon — and outlined certain necessary reforms. It was moved by the Hon. Mr. Subba Rao, tracing the simultaneous examination question fi*om 1850 onwards, when the re- form was recommended by a Committee appointed by the Secretary of State. The Hon. Rai Bahadur Baikunthanath Sen seconded, expressing a pious hope that the new Commission might do better than its predecessor. Dr. D. Sai-yadhikari, Pandit Gokaran- nath Misra, Mr. D. G. Dalvi, Dr. Nilratan Sarkar, Dr. R. Ranjit Singh, Pandit Hridaynath Kanzru,and 600 APPENDIX the Hon. Mr. Dwarkariiath, all supported, and the Resolution was carried. The fifth Resolution on Swadeshi was moved by Mr. Ambikacharan Mozumdar, who said that though Swadeshi had begun in revenge and retaliation, it had now struck its root into the firm ground of love and patriotism. If Indians loved their country, they should stick to the Swadeshi vow. " Every pie that you spend on a foreign article is a robbery of the limited resources of the country." The Resolution was seconded by Mr. V. V. Jogiah, and carried unanimously. The Congress adjourned. On the third day, Resolution VI, on Local Self- Government^ was moved by Mr. S. V. Narasimha Rao. He pointed out that Lord Ripon^s Resolution of 1882 was intended to use Local Self-Governraent " as a means of political and popular education ". After 25 years, Lord Morley found that the scheme had never been given a fair trial, and urged the Govern- ment of India in 1908 to shape their policy on the principle laid down b}' Lord Ripon. The most im- portant recommendation is the establishment of Village Panchayats, Lord Morley pointing out that "the village in India has been the fundamental and indestructible unit of the social system, surviving the downfall of dynasty after dynasty ". Mr. N. A. Dravid seconded, and Mr. Arikshan Sinha supported, giving v^arious local details to sliow the need for reform. The Resolution was carried. THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS 601 Resolution VII endorses the Despatch of the Government of India to the Secretary of State of August 25th, 1911, and challenges the interpretation put on it. The Hon. Mr. Surendranath Bannerji, in moving it, said that Provincial Autonomy was a stage on the road to Self-Clovernment. Some said Self-Grovernment was a dream, but the dreams of one age were the realities of the next. Mr. D. A. Kliare, in seconding, said the Despatch must be read in the obvious meaning of the words, and not in the words, of Lord Crewe. Mr. Shashanka Jivan Roy supported ^ and the Resolution was carried. Resolution VIII expressed the regret of the Con- gress that the Council Regulations had not been improved, and asked for 13 definite amendments to them. It was moved by the Hon. Mr. S. Sinha. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Dwarkanath, and supported by the Hon. A. S. Krishna Rao, Mr. Surendranath Mallick, Pandits Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri and Gokarannath Misra, Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, who moved, and Mr. C. Y. Chintamani, who seconded, an amendment excluding those who voted in separate electorates from voting in general electorates. The Hon. Mr. Mazaral Haque appealed to them to withdraw the amendment for the sake of peace, and they did so. The Resolution was carried with one dissentient. Resolution IX, asking for Executive Councils for the U. P. and the Panjab, was moved by the Hon. Pandit Motilal Nehru, seconded by Munshi ChailBihari Lai, and Resolution X, thanking the Government for ^02 APPENDIX establishing Legislative Councils for the C. P. and Assam, moved by Rao Bahadur R. A. Mundle, and seconded by Mr. G. N. Kane, were carried. Resolution XI, against the introduction of separ- ate electorates for Local Bodies, and Resolution XII, asking that the Law Membership should not be restricted to Barristers, were put from the chair and carried. Mr. Sachindra Prasad Bose next moved Resolution XIII on Education. He said that the whole subject had been so thoroughly discussed the previous year that there was nothing to add. The Government knew that if the masses were educated things could not go on as they were. The Congress needed the strength which came from the people behind it. Mr, C, P, Ramaswami Aiyar seconded, and urged that they should agitate as one man until Mr. Gokhale's Bill was passed into law. In education India was far Ijelow Russia. India needed residential and teaching Universities, diffusing the light of knowledge through the land. The Resolution was supported by the Hon. Mr. Ramanbhai Mahipatram, Mr. R. C. Ghose, and Mr. A. B. Patro, and carried. Mr. G. K. Devadhar moved XIV, an important Re- solution on Sanitation, pointing out the duties of Government and of the educated class. It was literally a question of life and death, yet both Govern- ment and the educated showed much indifference. Dr. Ranjit Singh seconded, urging the spread of simple hygienic knowledge. The Resolution was carried. THE TWENTY-SKVENTH CONGRESS 603 Eesolntions XV and XVI, on Public Expenditure and Land Settlement, were put from the Chair and passed. Then the Hon. Mr. 0. Y. S. Narasimha Raj moved Resolution XVII, the familiar griev- ance of the exclusion of Indians from the higher ranks of the army. It was seconded by Mr. Prakasa Rao, and carried. The President moved from the Chair Resolution XVIII, asking that High Courts might be directly related to the Government of India. Resolution XIX, conveying the thanks of the Congress to Mr. Gokhale for his services in South India, was moved by Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, seconded by Mr. Krishna Sahay, and cai-ried by acclamation, the whole audience rising to its feet and cheering. Resolution XX, accepting the Constitution and Rules of the Congress, as amended by the All-India Congress Committee, was put from the Chair and carried. The only important change was giving to Congress Committees and their affiliated associations the right to call public meetings for the election of delegates. Resolution XXI resolving that the British Com- mittee and India should be maintained, was carried. Resolution XXIII passed the All-India Congress Committee as elected by the Provincial Committees. Resolution XXII, reappointing Messrs. Wacha and Khare as General Secretaries was passed with acclamation. The invitation to Karachi was accepted unanimously, and, with the vote of thanks to the President and his reply, the Twenty-seventh National Congress came to its ending. 604 APPENDIX RESOLUTIONS Sorro-w of Congress I. Resolved — That this Congress desires to place on record its sense of horror and detestation at the dastardly attempt made on the life of His Excellency the Viceroy, who has by his wise and conciliatory policy and eai-nest solicitude to promote the well-being of the millions of His Majestj''s subjects entrusted to his care, won the esteem, the confidence, the affection and the gratitude of the people of India. The Congress offers its i-espoctful sympathy to Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Hardinge and fervently prays that His Excellency may have a speedy recovery and restoration to health. II. Resolved — (a) That this Coiigress places on record its sense of profound sorrow for the death of Mr. Allan Octavian Hume, C.B., the father and founder of the Indian National Congress, for whose lifelong services, rendered at rare self-sacrifice, India feels deep and lasting gratitude, and in whose death the cause of Indian progress and reform has sustained an irreparable loss. (b) The President be requested to cable this resolution to Sir William Wedderburn, Baronet, Chairman of the British Com- mittee of the Indian National Congress, with the request that he may convey to Mrs. Ross Scott, Sij-. Hume's daughter, the sympathy of the Congress in her great bereavement. Indians in the Colonies III. Resolved — (/i) That this Congress, anticipating the forthcoming legisbition of the provisional settlement recently arrived ar, cordially congratulates Mr. Gandhi and tlie Transvaal Community upon the repeal of the anti-Asiatic legislation of the Province regarding registration and immigration, and expresses its high admiration of the intense patriotism, courage and self-sacrifice with which they — Muhammadan and Hindu, Zoroastrian and Christian — have suffered persecution in the interest of their ccjuntrynien during their peaceful and selfless stiuggle for elementary Civil rights against overwhelming odds. (6) Whilst appreciating the endeavours that have been made from time to time to secure the redress of the grievances of the Indians of South Africa and other British ( olouies, this Congress urges that in view of the avowed inability of His Majesty's Government to adopt a firm and decisive attitude in this matter, the Government of India should take such retaliatory measures as may be calculated to protect India's self-respect and the interest of Indian residents in those parts of the Empire, and thus remove a great source of discontent among the people of this country. (c) This Congress further protests against the declarations of responsible statesmen in favour of allowing the Self-Governing THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS 605 Colonies, in the British Empire, to monopolise vjist undeveloped territories for exclusive white settlements, and deems it its duty to point out that the policy of shutting the door in those territories ajcainst, and deuying the right of full British citizenship to, all the Asiatic subjects of the British Crown, while preaching and enforcing' the opposite policy of the open door in Asia, is fi-aught with grave mischief to the Empire and is as unwise as unrighteous. (d) Whilst thanking the Government of India for the prohibition of the recruitment of indentured Indian labour for South Africa, this Congress is stronglj' of opinion that in th" highest National interest, the system of indentured labour is undesirable and should be abolished, and respectfully urges the Government to prohibit the further recruitment of Indian labour under contract of indenture whether for service at home or abroad. (e) That the President do dispatch the following message to Mr. Gandhi : " The Congress reaffirms last year's resolution, ex- presses its warmest appreciation of your efforts, and assures you and your fellow workers of the country's whole-hearted support." Public Service IV. Resolved — (r/) That this Congress records it sense of satisfaction at the appointment of the Royal Commission on Indian Public Service, and while expressing its regret at the inadequacy of the non -official Indian element thereon, trusts the deliberation of the Commission will result in the just recognition of Indian claims to appointments in the various departments of the Public Service. (6) This Congress urges the introduction of the reforms outlined below : (1) The holding of the open Competitive Examination for the Indian Civil Service and Public Services now recruited in England simultaneously in India and in England. (2) The recruitment of the Public Services as a rule by means of Competitive Examinations and not by a system of nomination. (3) The abolition of the division of Services into Imperial and Provincial as now constituted, and the equalisation of the conditions of service as between Europeans and Indians. (4) The abrogation of all rules, orders, notifications and circulars which expressly or in effect debar Indians as such fron> any appointment in any department. (5) The removal of restrictions against the appointment of persons other than members of Indian Civil Service in certain high and miscellaneous offices. 606 APPENDIX (6) The complete Separation of the Executive and Judicial functions and services. The creati >n of a distinct Judicial Service to be recruited from among members of the legal profession, and a proportionate curtailment of the cadre of the Indian Civil Service. (7) The constitution of a distinct Indian Civil Medical Service for Civil Medical Service for Civil Medical appointments and the restriction of members of the Indian Medical Service to military posts only, the designation of the Indian Medical Service to be changed to Indiaa Military Medical Service. (8) The closing of all Indian Services to the natives of those British Colonies where Indians are not elegible for service. Swadeshi V. Resolved — That this Congress accords its most cordial support to the Swadeshi Movement and calls upon the people of India to labour for its success by making earnest and sustained efforts to promote the growth of indigenous, industries by giving preference, wherever practicable, to Indian products over imported commodities, even at a sacrifice. Liocal Self-Government VI. Resolved--That this Congress expresses its regret that the recommendations of the Decentralisation Commission with regard to the further development of Local Self-Government, have not yet been given effect to, and urges that the Government of India may be pleased to takf^ steps without delay to increase the powers and resources of Local Bodies. Provincial Autonomy VII. Resolved — That this Congress records its satisfaction at the recognition by the Government of India, in their Despatch to the Secretary of State for India, dated the 25th August, 1911, of the necessity of introducing autonomous form of administration in the diffei-ent Provinces of this country, and begs to record its respectful protest against the interpretation sought to be put upon the Despatch, which is contraiy to its letter and sjjirit. Representation VIII. Resolved — (a) That this Congress records its sense of keen disa{)pointment that at the last revision of the Legislative Council Regulations, the anomalies and inequalities, the rectification of which the previous Congress strongly ui-ged upon the Govern- ment, have not been removed. And in order to allay the widespread dissatisfaction caused by the defects complained of, and iii view of the experience of the last three years, this Congress earnestly prays that— THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS 607 (1) There should be a non-official majority in the Imperial Legislative Council ; (2) There should be a majority of elected members in all Provincial Councils ; (3) The system of voting by delegates be done away with where it still exist ; (4) The franchise be broadened by simplifying the (juali- tication of electors basing it on education, property or income ; (5) The Government should not have the power arbitrarily to declare any person ineligible for election on the ground of his antecedents or reputation ; (6) No person should be held ineligible for election on the ground of dismissal from (jrovernment Service, or of conviction in a criminal court, or from whom security for keeping the peace has been taken, unless his conduct has involved moral turpitude : (7) No property or residential qualification «hould be requir- ed of a candidate, nor service as member of a Local Body ; (8) A person ignorant of English should be held ineligible for membership ; (9) It should expressly be laid down that officials should not be allowed to influence elections in any way ; (10) Finance Committees of Provincial Councils should be more closely associated with G-overnment in the preparation of the annual financial statements ; (11) There should be a Finance Committee of tlie Imperial Legislative Council as in the case of Provincial Legislative Councils ; (12) The right of putting supplementary questions should be extended to all members, and not to be restricted to the member putting the original question ; (13) The strength of the Panjab Council be raised from 26 to 50 and more adequate representation be allowed to Panjab in the Imperial Council. Separate Electorates XI. Resolved — Tliat this Congress strongly deprecates the extension of the principle of Separate Communal Electorates to Municipalities, District IBoards or other Local Bodies. Executive Councils far the United Provinces and the Panjab IX. Resolved — That this Congress again urges that an Execu- tive Council with an Indian member be established in the United 608 APPENDIX Provinces at an early date, and is of opinion that a similar Council should be established in Panjab too. Thanks cf Congress X. Eesolved — That tliis Congress thanks the Government for the establishment of Legislative Councils in the- Central Provinces and Assam and is of opinion that the former administration should be raised to the status of a Lieutenant-Governor's charge. XIX. Resolved — That this Congress pats on record its high appreciation, of the valuable work done by the Hon. Mr. Gokhale, C.I E., in his visit to South Africa undertaken at the invitation of our countrymen in that Colony. XXI. Resolved — That this Congress records its sense of high appreciation of the services of Sir William Wedderburn and the other members of the British Committee, and resolves that the organisation of the British Committee and India should be maintained. Law Membership XII. Resolved.- — That in view of the fact that Section III of the Indian Councils Act of 1861 is understood in practice to limit appointment to the office of Law Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council to members of the English Bar only ; thereby greatly restricting the field from which a selection can be made, this Congress urges that the said Section be so amended as to allow of Advocates, Vakils and Attorneys-at-Law of Indian High Courts being appointed to that office. Education XIII. Resolved — («) That while expi-essing its satisfaction and thankfulness that Government have announced a more active educational policy, this Congress regrets the defeat of tlie Hon. Mr. Gokhale's Elementary Education Bill, and affirms its conviction that the introduction of a measure of Free and Compulsory Educa- tion is essential to secure a rapid extension of Elementary Education. (fj) This Congress cordially approves of the movement for the establishment of teaching anfi residential Universities in India. Sanitation XIV. Resolved — (a) That this Congress, while thanking the Government for having initiated a system of scientific enquiry into tlie origin and progress of plague, malaria and other dis('ases, urges the necessity of immediately taking in hand such practical meas- ures as the necessity of congested areas, the reclamation of silted THE TWEKTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS 609 rivers, the clearing of jungles, the draining of waterlogged areas, and better provision for the supply of pure drinking water through- out the country. (b) And this Congress exhorts Local Bodies and Public Associations to systematically educate public opinion in matters relating to sanitation and hygiene, and facilitate the working of those measures that are inaugurated with a view to check the spread of disease and the increase of mortality and to secure better health and sanitation of urban and rural areas. Financial XV. Resolved — That, having regard to the enormous growth that has taken place in the public expenditure of the country, the Congress urges that early steps be taken towards effective retrench- ment, in all the spending department, of the Imperial and the Provincial Governments and specially the Military Department. Land Settlement XVI. Resolved — That a reasonable and definite limitation to the demand of the State on land and the introduction of a Permanent Settlement directly between the Government and holders of land in ryotwari areas, or a Settlement for a period of not less than 60 years in those Provinces where short periodical settlements or revisions prevail, will in the opinion of this Congress substantially help in ameliorating the present unsatisfactory condition of the agricultural population. Military XVII. Resolved — That this Congress is strongly of opinion that the injustice of keeping the higher ranks in the army closed against the people of India and the exclusion of certain races and castes from the lower ranks as well should be abolished. High Courts XVIII. Resolved — That This Congress is strongly of opinion that the High Courts in India should have the same direct relation with the Government of India alone as the High Court at Fort William in Bengal has at the present time. Constitution of Congress XX. Resolved — That the Constitution and Rules of the Indian National Congress organisation, as amended by the All-India Congress Committee, be adopted. 610 APPENDIX Formal XXII. Resolved — That the following gentlemen form the All-India Congress Committee for 1913 (list omitted). XXIII. Resolved— That Messrs. D. E. Wacha and D. A. Khare be re-appointed Secretaries for the ensuing year. XXIV. Resolved — That the next Congress be held in Karachi. \ \L UUiNU-Ki^a lent No. of Resolu- tions passed h all Sayani 9 15 11 17 15 15 18 22 23 27 26 24 21 21 25 1 .| 1 Tc- ! No No. • Date Place Delo; (Reo * ter» 17. 23-12-01 Calcutta 1 ] 18 23-12-02 Ahniedabad 4 19 28-12-03 i Madras 5' 20 26-12-04- Bombaj^ 1,0 21 27-12-05 K a s h i or Benares 7 22 26-12-06 Calcutta 1,6; 23 26-12-07 28-12-07 Surat 1,6' 28-12-08 Madras 6 24 27-12-09 Lahore 2 25 26-12-10 Allahabad 6: 26 26-12-11 Calcutta 4 27 26-12-12 ; Bankipur 28 26-12-13 ! Karachi i 5 29 28-12-14 Madi-as 8 STATKMKNT GIVING THE MAIN DATES CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 1».) Total So. of So. Date Place No. of Delegates (liegi.- terod) No. of Chairman of the Reception Genera and Joint General \-niie of the President Itesolu- passefl Subject of Uesoluti'.nH in each Congress List of im].nrtJiut Ilesohitiona piisso.l .luring 29 years on t}|.- fnllo^vinK subjects 1 28-12-S5 Bombji.v 72 W. C. Uonnerji 9 3. 11, 18,2.5,33,38 1. Alikari 2. AjJo. of Delegates (Bogie. lered) Alinieclnbiic] Calcutta Martins Nirr, 471 588' 5,500 1,010 768 1,063 20,000 i,dBo 5,400 626 243 686 4,000 446 4,500 560 866 1. A. O. Hume (gl) 2, D. E. Wacha (subsequently became the Pre. sident) Ambnial lleeni Nawab Syed M Bahadur Sir P. H. Mehta Madbo Lai Dr. Raali Behari Gbose Tribhuran Das Malvi' Dewaii Baliadur K. Krishna. Harikiahan Lai Pt. Sundur Bhujicudi-anath Kasu Mazarbal Haque HariBchandra Vishandas SirS. Subntmania Iyer l.D. E. Wacha 2. D. A. Kba; 1. Syed Muhammad 2. N. Subba Rao of the President Surendranatb Bannerji Lai Mohan Ghose Sir Henry Cotton G. K. Gokhale Dadabhai Naoixij i Dr. Rash Behari Ghose do. do. Madan Mohan Malaviya Sir William Wedderbum Bishen Nai-ayan Dhar R. N. Mudholkar Nawab Syed Muhammad Baha. dur Bbupendranath Basu 8,9,10,14,21,23,25,31,43 9, 10, 20, 25, in, 29, 35, 38, 41 8,9, 10, 14, 21,25, 2!), 31, 6, 9,10,20, 21,28,29,38. 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 21, 32 5, 6, 9, 10, 14,20, 21,23, 25, 29, 31, 35, 38, 39, 41, 42,43 o NOTE 1. For the purpose of this Index all the Resolutions are numbered seridtim and are referred to by their numbers. The numbers in brackets following the names of Movers, etc., of Resolutioiis indicate the Congress. 2. Where any person has taken part in the Congress activities in any particular capacity, such capa- city is indicated. In other cases, the names only are given. 3. When a subject has been discussed by the Congress as the object oP a Resolution the names of the mover, seconder, supporter and other speakers have been indicated. Subjects not discussed as the objects of Resolutions, but only referred to in any other connection, are mentioned without further particulars. 4. The following abbreviations have been used to economise space. 1. A.I. = Agent for the sale of the newspaper India 2. B.C. = British Committee 3. C.A.B. = Committee on Address to Mr. Brad- laugh 4. C.C. ^= Congress Committee 5. C.C.C. = Committee for considering the con- tinuance or otherwise of the Con- gress 6. C.I. = Committee on Industries 7. C.L.T. = Committee to represent grievances in Land Tenure to the Viceroy 614 HOW IXDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM 8. C.P.P. = Committee for presentation of a petition to Parliament 9. C.R.E. = Congress Representative in England 10. D.H. = Delegate befox'e Lord Hardinge 11. D.Y. = Deputation to the Viceroy 12. E.C. = Education Committee 13. F.C. = One of the Fathers of the Congress 14. i.C.C. = Indian Congress Committee 15. M. = Mover of a Resolution 16. M.A. = Mover of an Amendment 17. P.L.C. = Papjab Land Alienation Committee IS. Pr. = Proposer of a Resolution 19. P.S.C. = Public Service Conaaittee 20. R. = Resolution number 21. R.C. = Rules Committee 22. S.C. = Subjects Committee 23. S.C.C. = Standing Counsel of the Congress 24. S.C.M. = Secretary for the Circle formed for collection of money for the Con- gress 25. Sc. = Seconder of a Resolution 26. Sc.A. ^ Seconder of an amendment 27. Sp. = Speaker in Connection with a Resolu- tion 28. Spp. = Supporter of a Resolution 29. Spp. A. = Supporter of an Amendment 30. Su.C.C.= Surat Congress Committee INDEX TO HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 1. SUBJECTS Ahmedxagar K 1 X g d o m The Akbar's reign Alexander's invasion of India Allahabad Darbar, The Ancient Indian and con temporary civilisations Andhra Kingdom, The 11, Annexation of the Camatic „ Panjab „ Native States Arabian invasion, The Aryan Home, The Bahamani Kingdom, The Beginning of the downfall of the Mughal Dynastv, The . . . ". Beginning of India's His- tory . . . . Berar Kinsrdom, The Bidar Bijapur ,, Black Hole of Calcutta, The ... Black Town and the White Town of Madras, The Board of Control. The British in India, The Buddhist Tower, The Cal'ses of British Success IN India, The . . 36: Chalukya Kingdom, The . 26 32 } Chandragupta's Admini 29 ' stration .... 9 Charles Edward . . 53 8 , Chola Kingdom, The . 12,14 -19 I Court of Directors, The . 39 1 i Danish Settlement, The . 36 12,26 j Darbar of Allahabad and 48 the Queen's Proclama 48 tion. The 49 49 Dawning , The . 1 20 Dutch Settlement, The 36 5 Dynasty- — Kanva 12 Kushan 16 . 32 ,, Maghada . 7 1 Maurya 8 ", Mughal 27 28 Saka 16 Simga 12 6 32 East I NuiA Company's 32 Oppressions . 43 32 Earliest History of India, The 1 41 Early European arrivals before the English 35 38 Early T rade and Naviga- . 39 tion 23 34, 37 Emden Company visiting . 16 India, The . . . 35 616 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Emperoi-s of India, The English gaining ground in Bengal ... 4] Exports and Imports . Famines in India First and last Governors under the East India Company, The First Capital of India, The ,, English visitor in India, The First Historical Emjieror of India .... First Hospital in Europe, The .... First Mughal Emperor, The ,, Parliamentary Inter- ference witli Indian Affairs, The . First Peshwa, The . Fort Saint George French Settlement, The . OoLcoNDA Kingdom, The . Greco-Parthian Invasion of India, The . Gujjta Emperor . l*; Gupta Era, The Hindu revival before the RISE OF THE MaRATHA POWER, The . Historical period according to Western writers, The Horse Sacrifice . . . i Hun Invasion of India, The India under the Gupta DYNASTY .... India — whence the name . India's middle history India's present condition . India's prosperity Indian prosperity before Mahomedan invasion 18 5 4 50 31 20 9 Indian wealth attracting the Europeans 35 42 Indo-Parthian Kingdom, 23 The .... Invasion of India by Alex- lie 53 ander. .... 8 Invasion of India hj Arabs 20 „ by Greco- 40 Parthians 16 7 Invasion of India by Huns . 19 „ Kusthans 16 6 ,, Muham- niadans .... 24 8 Invasion of India by No- madic Tribes . 16 19 Invasion of India by Turks 20 26 I.- lam in India . 23 Kanva Dynasty, The 12 39 Keralaputra Kingdom, The 1 2 15 33 Kingdoms of India . 12 38 Kingdom — Andhra , 11, 14 ,26 36 „ Bahamani. 32 ,, Berar 32 32 „ Bidar 32 „ Bijapur 32 16 „ Chalukva . 20 20 Chola .' . 12 14 17 „ Golkonda . 32 „ Indo-Pai-thian . 16 „ Keralaputra 12 ,15 „ Pandyan , 32 32 „ Satyaputra 13 Sikh . 48 6 „ Tamil 12 20 „ Vijayanagar 27 19 Kushan Dynastv 16 Madras Presidency creat- ed . Magadha Dynasty, The Maratha Branches, The „ Confederacy, The „ Empire's End, The Maurva Dvnastv, The 38 34 32 48 8 INDEX TO HISTOEICAL INTRODUCTION 617 Military profession confin- 2. NAMES ed to the Kshattriyas 22 Missionaries of various Aditva 15 nationalities, The . 37 Adityasena ' 3, 20 Mughal Dynasty, The 27 Agastya 13 Muhammadan invasion ot Ajatashatru 7 Southern India 26 Akbar 27 Mussalinan invasion. The 23 Ala-ud-din Ala-ud-din Hasan 26 32 OSTEND COMPAXV VISITING Alexander . 5. 8 India, The 3.5 Alfred, King 6 Paniiyan Kingdom, The . 12 Ashoka . . 5, 11, 12, 14 Pax Britannica, The . 49 Ashvaghosha 16 Policy of the East India Aurangazeb 28, 33, 51 Company 40 Portugese Settlement, The 36 Babar 26, 27 Proofs of India's Ancient Baji Rao . 34 Civilisation . 6 Balaji Viswanath 33 34 Bappa 20, 24 Queen's Proclamation, The 49 Bernier 29 Bharata 8 Saka Dynasty, The . 16 Bhattumurti 18 Samvat Era, The 18 Bindusara . 11 Satyaputra Kingdom, The 13 Brehidrita or Brihadratha 11 Self-Government wanted 56 Buddha, Lord . 7 Sepoy Revolt of 1857, The 49 Burke 47 Settlement — Danish . S6 Dutch . 36 Cesar, Augustus 13 „ French . 36 Canning, Earl . 40, 49 ,, Portuguese 36 Catharine of Braganta 38 Seventy-five days' Festiva 21 Chanakya . 10 Shivaji's Government 32 Chandragupta I . 17 Sikh kingdom, The . 48 II 18 Some deductions and aati Chandragupta Vikrama cipations 52 ditya 18 State of thf People undei Chandragupta or Chan dra the Mughals . 29 inori 3 , 8, 10 Sunga Dynasty, The . 12 Chandragupta Maurya Chandra Mori . 27 32 8 Tamil Kingdom, The 12 Charles I . 38 Trade and Navigation 13 „ II . 38 Turkish invasion, The 20 Charnok, Job 38 United East India Com pany, The 39 Child, Sir John . Chirol, Sir Valentine. Clive . . 35, 40, 41 3, 42 39 50 44 VlJAYANAGAR KINGDOM 27 Colbert 29 618 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Coote, Colonel . . 41 Macaulay 39, 40, 43 , 44, 45 Corawallis, Lord . 47 Malik Katur 27 Crape, Captain Roelant . 30 Man Sinha . 27 Cromwell . 37, 38 Marco Polo . 22 Megasthenes . 9, 10 Dalhousie, Lord . 48 Metcalfe . 48 Darius 7 Minakshi Animal 14 Day, Mr. . . 38 Mir Jafar . 41, 42 Diodorus Hiciihis 6 Money, Lord . 50 Duplex 36, 40 IVfuhammad Ben Kasim . 20 Ghori . 21, 26 Ekanath . . 32 ,, of Ghazijii . 25 Elisabeth . 37, 38 Nanak . 48 Nanda Kumara . 45 Fa-Hikn . IS, 19 Nawab of Bengal 44 Firakshere. . 38 „ Camatic . 40 Firoze 31 Nizam of Deccan, The . 47 GOKHALE . . 52 Omichand . . 41 Govinda Singh . . 48 Phillimore . 31 Haksha 19, 20, 21 Pliny the Elder 23, 29 Hastings, Warren 39 , 44, 45, 46, 47 Poros .... Frithviraj 8 . 25 Hawkins, Captain . 37 Pushyamitra . . 3, 11, 12 Hippon, Captain 37 Hiram of Tyre Hiuen Tsang 6 Radha Kumuii MUKERJI 5 14, 20, 21 Raja of Chandragiri, The . 38 Humayun . 27 „ Tanjore . 37 Hunter, Sir Williarn . 5, 9, 22 Rajaram 33 Ramachandra . . L , 8, 13 Ramdas . 32 Ibrahim Lodi . 26 Rameses II 6 Impey, Sir Elijali . 46 : Ranade, Justice . . 32 James I . . . 28 Ranjit Singh Roe, Sir Thomas . 48 28 Jehangir . 27, 28 : Sabuktinin 24 Kadphises I & II . 16 Sagara . , 3 Kaiiishka . . 16 t Samudragiipta . . 17 Kushra II . 26 Sanuta Marino . . 13 Krishna, Shri 2 Sayce, Dr. 4 Khulasekhara . 13 Schwarz . 37 Kumaragupta 19 Seleukidje . 16 Kumari Devi . 17 Semiramis of Nineveli 21,6 INDEX TO HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 619 Shah Jehaii 27, 28, 29, 37, 38 Shaku . . . . 33 Shivaji ... 29, 32 Sighalmas, Bishop of Sher- borne .... 6 Siraj-ud-daiila . . 41 Skandaffupta ... 19 Smith, Vincent, A. 2, 7, 8, 10, 11. 15, 19, 50 Strabo .... 13 Strabrobate.'! ... 6 Sujah Daula . 45, 46 Tiruvalluvar Toda Mall . Trajan Tnkaram . Vaman Pandit . Victoria, Queen Vijaya Vikramaditya . Watson, Admiral Wellesley, Marquis of 14 27 16 32 32 35 13 18 41 48 Tamerlane Thomas, Saint Thurlow . Tippu Snltaii rt 30 15 47 47 Yudhishtira Zamorix of Calicut, The 37 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS M. 1 Abkari — Local Option and Administration 72, 118, 137, 157, 177, 202, 237, 246, 265, 289, 306, (21) S. Balaclian- dra Krishna . (5) R e V. G. M. Cobban (8) G. S. K li a - parde (15) G. C. Mitra . (4,6) D. E. Wacha 67, (6) Lala M u r 1 i- dhar (21) G. A. Natesan (15) A. C. Partha- sarathv Naidu (5) D. E. Waclia . Spp. (21) B. S. Bhatia Sc. (5) M r Rev Evans (15) Miss Garland (5) Rev. Mr. R. A. Hume Ram Prasad . Rataiinath 2 Agriculture . M. (17) Y. Chondhuri So. (17) Cama Sp. (17) Khoja Muham- mad Xo(n- (15 (15) 433 423 81 151 299 112 112 423 299 81 423 81 299 81 299 299 349 343 343 343 Sy.(l7) N. K. R a m a- swanii Aiyar . 343 „ (17) Dr. Sureswara Mukerji . 343 3 Alienation of lands — Commission of En- quiry . . . 505 4 Alienation of lands — Panjab Bill condemn- ed .... 304 M. (15)LalaMurlidhar 295 „ (24) Sang-amlal . 500 Sc. (24) Lala Bhana Ram . . 500 ,, (15) Lala Kannai- hia . . 500 Sp. (15) H a s h m a t Husain . . 295 „ (24) Lala Ram . 500 „ (24) Mathra Das . .500 „ (15) Phansalhar . 295 „ (24) Sardar Meer- Singh Chowla 500 5 Alienation of lands — Right claimed . . 224 M. (il) R. N. M u d- holkar . . 218 Sp. (11) R. P. Karan- dikar . . 218 6 All-India Committee 462, 490, 527, 550 M. (26) Bishan Nara- van Dhar . 543 INDEX TO RESOLUTIOKS 621 M. (22) D. A. Khare . „ (25) SirWm. Wed- derburn . 7 Annexation of Upper Burma 8 Apijointnient of the General and Joint General Secretaries of the Congress 74, 94, 121, 14£), ]61, 181, 205, 228, 250, 269, 290, 310, 329, 351, 373, 392, 413, 440, 455, 4eS0, 508, 527, 550, 569, M. (29) Bhupendra- nath Basu „ (26) Bisban Nara- yun Dhar „ (14) A. M. Bose . „ (16) N. G. Chanda- ^•arkar „ (20) Sir Henry Cot- ton . ,. (22) Dadabhai Nao- roji „ (15) R. C. Dutt „ (28) H ar isfhandra Vishindus „ (24) M a dan Mo- han Malaviva „ (9) C. Sankara Nair „ (18, 19) Surendra- nath Bannerji 364, Sc. (28) D. E. Dalai . 9 Arms Act c3, 72, 93, 117, 136, 158, 177, 202. 227, 246, 265, 289, 371, 391, M. (3) Adam, John . „ (11, 12) Ali- Maho- med Bhimji 221, „ (10) Bisban Xara- van Dhar 457 M. (14) Grubb . 283 ,, (8) G. S. Khaparde 151 519 ,, (19) L a 1 Mohan Ghose 385 14 ,, (3) S a b h a p a t i Mudaliyar 50 „ (13) C. Sankaran Nair 259 „ (29) A.P Sen 577 ,, (18) Surendranath Bannerji 364 Sc. (14) Adam, John . (3) Bepinchandra 283 i'al 50 591 ,, (5) H a r Bhaga- van Das . 85 583 ,, (29) C. P. R a m a- swamy Iyer 579 543 ,, (11) N. M. Samarth 222 290 Spp .(14) HabibuUaah Sabab . 283 322 ,, (12) Nibaran Cban- drados . 238 406 „ (14) A. C. Partha- sarathi Naidu 283 455 ,, (12) Rai Sangavani 222 303 „ (29) Somasundram Pillai . 58 562 ,, (4) Ali Mahomed Bhimji . 67 501 ,, (29) Krishnadas Rai. 580 163 ,, (4) P. M. Mehta . 67 „ (6) Sad-ud-din 111 , do) B. G. Tilak . 188 386 10 Assam Labour Law 562 Repeal 349 M (17) J o g e n d r a C li a n d r a Ghose 343 586 Sc .(17) Bepin Chan- 50 dra Pal . 343 Si^p. (17) Lalit Mohan 237 Ghosal . 343 11 Berar Legislation 269 198 290, 309, 325, 439 488 622 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM M. (14) A. M. Bose . „ (16) N. G. Chanda- varkar „ (15) R. C. Dutt . ., (23) Rash Behari GhosR ] 2 Berai- and C. P. Legisla- tion ' 488, M. (24) C. Y. Cliinta- niani Sc. (24) X. A. Dravid . 13 Boycott Movement M. (22) A m b i k a - Charan Ma- zunidar . „ (28) Syed Muham- mad Sc. (22) Bepin Cliandi-a Pal . Spp. ,, A Choudhuri . „ „ Madan Mohan Malaviya „ „ G. K. Gokhale „ ,. L. A. Govinda- raghava Iyer . 14 British Agencj' for dis- semination of inform- atioii in England lo British Committee of the National Con- gress 94, 344, M. (17) W.C- Bannerji „ (18) Surendranath Bannerji Sc. (17) SirP.M.Mehta „ (17) P. A n a n d a Charlu . „ (17) Madan Mohan Malaviya „ (17) Muhurram Ali Chiste . 16 British Contribution to Indian Expenditure 222, 304, M. (16) M. G. Chanda- varkar . 283 17 British Contribution to Milirarv Expenditure 318 158, 263, 286, 304, 303 348, 389, 411, M. (13) Baikuntha- 435 483 nath Sen 2.56 „ (17) Dixit 342 503 ,, (15) Miss Garland. Sc. (15) Bai kuntha- 295 . 497 nath Sen 269 497 „ (17) C. Y. Chinta- 460 niani 342 „ (13) .laishi Ram . 256 Spp. (15) Gyaneshwara 451 Shastri . ., (1.5) H a r i Ram 296 56] Panday . 296 „ (15) Patvardlian 296 452 „ (17) Mr. Smedley . 342 452 18 British Sessions of the Congress proposed . 120 452 M. (6) Norendranath 452 Sen . Sc. ,, S a 1 i g r a m 116 452 Singh Sp. „ Viraragava- 116 chariar . 116 308 19 British Sessions of the Congress postponed 1.39, 160 372 2(J Cadet Corps Formation 338 348, M. (17) Dr. Sarat K. 367 364 Mallick . 342 338 Sc. (17) Muhurram Ali Chiste . 342 338 Spp. (17) K. B. Varma . 342 21 Calcutta Municipal Act 338 repeal M. (15' Surendranath 305 338 Bannerji Sc. (15) Nasir-ud-d i n 297 Kamur-u d-din 299 325 22 Central Congress Com- mittee for each Pro- 318 vince 288 TKDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 623 369 362 362 362 31 90 23 Civilian Judges to be rephiced by trained lawyers M. (18) JogendraJiatli Mukerji Sc. (18) A. M. Advani . Sp. (18) Hardeoram N a n a b h a i Haridas 24 Claim to Committal to Sessions Courts in- stead of Trial by Ma- gistrates 33, 71, 92, 117, 138, 158, 177, 202, 227, 246, 371, 391 M. (8) G-.S. Khaparde 151 25 Commission to enquire into the best method of introducing repre- sentative institutions 26 Committee on address to Mr. Bradlaugh M. (5) Pherozeshah M. Mchta (5) Pt.Ayodhya- uath (5) John Adam 27 Committee on British Sessions of the Con- gress. 28 Committee on Continu- ance or otherwise of the Congress until after tlic British Session M. (7) Surendranath Bannerji W.C. Bannerji 131 Sc. „ Ayodhyanath 132 29 Committee on Indus- tries 30 Committee on Petition to Parliament . M. A Nandy Sc. Kaliprasanna Kanyanisharada 153 Sc. Spp. 134 13-^ 123 3.50 155 153 31 Committee on Public Service question . 32 32 Committee on Rules 51, 289, 413, 470 33 Communication of Reso- lutions to all Political Associations . .14 M. (3) A. 0. Hume 34 Communication of Draft Rules to Standing Committees 52, 94, 205, 222 Sc. (3) Trailok-yanath Mitra \ .51 35 Communicaticm of Re- solutions to tlie Vice- roy 34, 53, 73 36 Conciliation Boards . 526 M. (25) G. K. Deva- dhar . . 519 Sc. (25 ) R a m k u m a r Goenka . . 519 37 Confirmation of pre- vious Resolutions 29, 71,90, 117, 157, 177, 202, 227, 246, 265, 289, 308, 325, 351, 371, 392, 438, 470, 523 M.( 11,12) Ali Muham- mad B h i ni j i 221,2.37 „ (16) N. G. Chanda- varkar . .318 „ (21) G. K. Gokhale 431 „ (14) Grubb . . 283 „ (5) K a 1 i c h a ran Bannerji. . 81 „ (19) Lai M o h a n Ghose . . 385 ,, (15) M u h a m m ad Sajjid Hussain 302 „ (13) C. Sankaran Nair . . 257 „ (18) S u r endra- nath Bannerji 364 „ (17) D. E. Wacha . .503 624 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Sc. (24) John Adam . 283 „ (5) X. G. Chanda- varkar . .81 „ (15) Y. Chaudhuri . 302 „ (12) N i b a r a n Chandradas . 238 „ (11) X. M. Samarfch 222 Spp. (14) Habibullah Sahib . . 283 ,, (lo) Krishna Bal- deo Varma . 302 „ (15) S. K. Xair . 302 „ (14) A. C. Partha- sarathy Xaidu 283 ,, (11) Sautjavani . 222 „ (5) S. B. Senkaran 81 „ (15) SvedAliUsab. 302 Sp. (8) Abdiil Qudar . 151 ,, (10) Bishan Xara- vandhar . .195 „ (8) E. T. Evans . 151 „ (8) Oudh Behari Lai. . . 151 „ (8) B. S. Sahasra- buddhe . .151 „ (8) Sheik Hussaii. 151 38 Congratulations to 1 W. S. Caine . . 327 2 A. O. Hiime . . 489 3 Sir William Wedder- burn . . . 489 4 Qneen-E m press Victoria . . 29,243 M. (16) X. (t. Chanda- varkar . .319 „ (23) G.K.Gokhale 483 „ (12) Maharaja of Darbhanga . 233 Sc. (12) Prince Zaigam- ud-dowlah . 233 Sp. (23) Mr. Clark . 483 ,, (12) Vasudeva Rao Harihar . 233 39 Constitution nnd Rules 73, 94, 205, 222, 306, 322, 413, 544. .590 M. (26) Bhupendranath Basu . . .537 (29) „ . . 583 „ (20) Sir Henry Cot- ton ". . 406 „ (11) Ghosal . .211 „ (16) R. X. Mudhol- kar . .313 ,, (14) Ratnasabhapati Pillai . . 282 ,, (15) Roiuesh Chan- dra Dutt . 299 „ (3) Trilokyanath . 38 „ (10) Alfred Webl> . 197 Sc. (3) Hamid AH Kliau . . 39 „ (11) Joshi Ram . 211 „ (16) V. K. Xambier 313 „ (14) Surendranath Bannerji. . 282 Spp. (14) A s h w i n i Kumar Dutt . 282 „ (3) W. S. (lantz . 39 „ (14) M. V. Joshi . 282 40 Cooper's Hill College a n d Roorki 324, 371, :f91 M. (16) J. Choudhuri . 319 Sc, (16) A. C. Partha- sarthy Xaidu . 319 Sp.(16) S. M. Paranjpe 319 41 Cotton Excise Duty 197, 227, 370, 545 M. (10) (11)(18)D. B. Wacha 184, 221, 363 „ (26) D. A. Khare . 538 Sc. (11) P. An an da Charlu . . 221 „ (18) Seth Mangal- das Girdhardas 363 „ (10) A. Sabhapati Mudaliyar . 184 ,, (26) Lala Govnr- dhandas . 538 Spp. (10) Tulsi Ram . 184 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 625 42 Council Reform, Resju- lations and modifi- cations 494, 525, 546, 568 M. (25) Satish Chandra Bannerji . 518 „ (24) Surendrauath Bannerji . 494 „ (28) Syed Muham- mad . . 56i Sc.(24) L. A. Goviuda- raghava Tver . 496 „ (25) Tej Bahadur Sapru . . 518 Spp. (25) M. Adinara- yana Ij'ah . 518 „ (24) A Choudhuri . 496 ,, (24) Grauga Prasad Varma . . 496 „ (24) G o k a r n a t h Misra . . 496 ,, (24) H a riscliandra Yishandas. . 496 „ (24) Harnam Das . 496 „ (24) J. B. Petit . 496 „ (24) Rajpal Kane . 496 ,, (24) Rambuj Dutt Choudhuri . 496 „ (25) S a d i q A 1 i Khan . . 518 „ (25) Sheik Fiaz . 518 „ (25) Surendrauath Bannerji . 518 „ (25) Syed Hasan . 518 „ (25) Yusuf Khau . 518 „ (25) Harischandra Vishandas . 518 43 Creation of the Pro- vince of Beliar and Orissa . . 543 M. (26) Tej Bahadur Sapru . . 525 Sc. (26) Par ameswara Lai . . 535 Spp. ,, Auanda Cha- ran Rai . . 535 Spp. (26) Math Bandhu Guha . . 535 „ A Choudhuri 535 44 Criminal Procedure, addition of powers to the Police and grant of discretionary powers to Magistrates 267, 284 M. (13) John Adam . 262 ,, (14) C. Jambulinga Mudaliar . 274 Sc. (14) Tarapadu Ban- nerji . . 275 Spp. (14) K. P. Kavya Bisharad . 275 „ (14) T.Venkata- subba Iyer . 275 45 Currency Question 157, 288, 304, 350, 366 M. (18) V i thai das D a m o dardas Thakersay . 360 „ (H) (14) (15) b. E. W a c h a 151, 281, 296 Sc. (15) Rama&wami . 296 „ (15) Sitaram Seth . 296 „ (14) (18) G. Subra- mania Iyer 281, 360 Spp. (8) Captain Banon 151 „ (8) Bhagirathi Prasad . . 151 „ (18) S o r a b j i Karaka . . 360 46 Death of : 1 P AnandaCharlu . 489 2 Ananda Mohan Bose 458 3 Dr. K. N. Bahadurji 287 4 W. C. Bonnerji . 458 5 Pt. Bishambarnath 584 5a Bishnu Pa da Chat- ter ji . . . 584 6 Charles: Bradlaugh . 140 7 Badruddin 'I'yabjee. 458 8 Bunsilal Siiio-h. ' . 489 626 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM i» W. 8. Caine . 386 M. (23) Rash Behari 10 Dayal Singh 284 Ghose 483 u Desai, Ambalal „ (18) (22) Surendra- Sekarlal . 584 nath Bannerji 12 Dig-by, William 409 358 456 13 DuttjRomesh Chandra 502 „ (:;^8) Syed Muham- 14 Edward VII . 520 mad Bahadur. 554 15 Gr a n g a P r a s a t (17) (25) D. E. Varma. 584 Wacha 338 512 16 Ghosal, J. 562 Sc. (22) Sir Balachand- 17 Gladstone, W. E. . 284 ra Krishna 486 18 Hardinge, Lady, anc 47 Delegates' number fixed 94 her eldest Son 584 48 Delegates to England 19 Jaisi Ram 328 95,120,412 569 20 Kalicharaii Bannerji . 489 (a) G o k h a 1 e as dele- 21 Lai Mohan Giiose 502 gate . . .439 22 Maharaja of Dar- M. (21) M. V. Joshi . 431 bhanga. 284 „ (28) Syed Muham- 23 Maharaja of Mysore 202 mad Bahadur 561 24 Queen-Empress Vic- ,, (21) K. Ve n k ata toria 346 Rao 431 25 Raja of Raninad 384 „ (20) Sir Wi lliam 26 Ranade, Justice 344 Wedderburn . 402 27 P. Rangiah Naidu . 365 Sc. (21) Sister Ni ve- 28 Lord Ripon 502 dita 4:il 29 Sayani, R. M. 365 „ (21) J. N. Roy . 431 30 Smith, Samuel. 462 „ (21) S. Sinha" 422 31 Lord Stanley 386 „ (20) B. G. Tilak . 402 32 P. R. Sundra Iyer . 562 „ (21) C. Vijayara- 33 J. X. Tata 409 ghavachariar . 431 34 M. Veeraragliava Spp.(20) S. Sinha 402 Ghariar 458 49 Delegation fee . 345, 373 3o Webb, Alfred . 489 50 Deputation to the Vice- M (28) B h upendra- i-oy nath Basu 577 1 To present resolu- ,, (11) A. M. Bose . 274 tions 204 jj (16) N. G. Ghanda- 2 To represent Land varkar 320 Tenure grievances . 304 „ (20) Sir H e u i- y 3 re the Separa- Cotton . 401 tion of Judicial and „ (23) Dada bh ;ii Executiv^e F u n c- Naoroji . 477 tions 326 ,, (19) Lai M o h a n 4 To express desire Ghose 379 to co-operate with ,j (24) Madan Mohan Government . 520 Malaviya 502 M. (16) D. E. Wacha . 318 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 627 M. (25) Sir Wm. Wed- derburn . . 512 Sc. (16) Murlidhar . 318 Spp. ,, Muhurruai Ali Chiste . . 318 51 D e pu tat ion oi'D. E. Wacha to give evid- ence before the Ex- penditure Commis- sion . . ■ 249 52 Economic Condition - Enquiry . 850, 365, 391, 408 M. (18) G. R a s h a v a Iyer , . 359 Sc. „ P e t e r P a u 1 Pillai . . 359 Spp. ,, Bhaishankar Nanabhai . 360 „ „ V. R. Natu . 360 53 Education and Industry 326 M. (16) LalaLajpatRai 318 Sc. „ Dunichand . 318 54 Education Commission — adequate Indian representation . . 349 M. (17) V. R. Pandit . 342 Sc. „ B. G. Tilak . 342 Spp. „ A. Clioudhuri 342 „ „ M a h e s w a ri Prasad . . 342 55 Education, increase in expenditure 72, 92, 117,138,159,179,202, 227,407,437,461,458, 507, 524 M. (4) John Adam . 68 „ (h) Brijendranath Seal . .152 „ (23) A. Choudhuri 483 „ (22) Desai, Amba- lal Sekharlal . 453 ,, (7) Herambachan- dra Mitra . 130 ,, (12) Kalicharan Bamierji . 239 47 M. (24) Madan Mohan Malaviya . 506 „ (9) M.B.Nam Joshi 173 „ (20) D. G Padhya 399 „ (25) A. B. Patro . 519 Sc. (23) K. G. Desai . 483 „ (7) G. K. Gokhale 131 „ (8) Hari Prasad Chatter ji . 152 „ (8) Herambachan- dra Mitra .152 „ (20) R. P. Karan- dikar . . 399 „ (9) N i b a r a u Chaudi-a Das . 172 „ (25) Pulin Chandra Das . . 519 „ (24) Raghbar Dayal 483 ,, (17) Shivaram Ma- hadev Paranjpe 339 „ (4) K. T. Telang . 69 Spp. (2a) Devi Prasad Sukla . . 519 „ „ V. P. Dixit . 518 „ (8) Hari Prasad Chatterji . 152 „ (22) Harischandra- Visliandas . 453 „ (8) K. V. Joshi . 152 „ (22) S. V. Khare . 453 „ (23) Dr. Nilratan Sarkar . . 483 „ (22) M. K. Padhya 453 „ „ Parameshwar- das . . 453 „ „ G. A. Patel . 453 „ (25) Ram K a n t a Malaviya . 519 „ (9) Ram Lalakya. 172 „ (4) G. Subramania Iyer . . 68 „ (22) Vittamlal Ti-i- vedi . . 453 Sp.(20) Y. C hin ta- mani . . 399 „ „ H. S. Gour . 399. 628 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Sp. (20) Gr. A. Natesan 400 56 Education — officialising of ... . 437 M. (21) H e r a m b a- chandra Mai- tra 428 Sc. „ D. G. Padhya 430 Spp. „ N a r e s c lian- dra Sen . 430 „ „ Nilaratau Sar- kar 430 „ „ M. K. Patel . 430 „ „ Rama n a n d a C hatter ji 430 57 Education — State con- trol .... 72 58 Educational Service 245, 265 371 M. (12) A. M. Bose . 234 Sc. „ P. A n a n d a Charlu . 235 59 Election of nienijjers to British Parliament . 412 111. (20) S. Sinha. 406 ;Sc. „ V. P. Vidya . 406 .'60 Election of University Fellows 324 M. (16) Lala Dwarka- das 317 Sc. „ Bepiu Behari Bose 317 „ ,, Hemchandra Rai 317 „ Rustam Cama 317 61 Employment of Indians in Public Service 136, 324, 348, 369, 386, 31. (26) Bishen Nara- 406 yan Dhar 542 „ (20) V. K r i s h n a- swamv Iyer . 403 „ (24) N. M.Samarth 500 „ (18) G. K. Setna . 563 „ (25) Sir S. Subra- mania Iyer . 513 M. (16) (17) Sureudra- nath Bannerjee 316, 341 (19) D. E. Wacha . 379 Sc. (17) (18) Abdul Kasim 342, 373 (21) Bishen Xara- A'an Dhar (24) K. B. Desai, . „ (20) Madun Mohan Mala viva (25) B. N. Sarnia . (16, 19) (t. Subra- niaiiia Iyer 317,381 Spp.(l6) Rambha] Datta 317 (20) Abdul Kasim . 399 „ Budi-uddin Ty- abjee (21) K. R. Guru- swamv Iyer . „ 3. B. Petit ,, J. Simeon 61 (a) Employment of Indians in the G e n e r a 1 Coun- cil and House of Commons M. „ G. Srinivasa Rao Sc. (21) S. R. Das Spp. (21) Fazil Hussain 423 62 Enquiry into Bengal Government's Order prohibiting Public Servants from attend- ing Congress M. (6) Man a Mohan Ghose Sc. „ Yule 63 Exchange Compensation Allowance 180, 202, 22H, 247, ;^71, 391 M. (11) Ambikacha- ran Mazumdar 220 „ (9) S u r e n d r a- nath Bannerji 174 424 500 404 513 399 424 424 424 433 423 423 118 115 115 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 629 Sc. (9) W. A. Cham- bers ; . 175 „ (LI) A. C. Partha- sarathv Naidu 220 Spp. (9) D. E.' Wacha 175 64 Executive aud the Bench . 179, 547, 563 M. Ananda Charlul73 „ Pravas Chitra Mitra . . 541 „ Syed Muham- mad Bahadur 561 Sc. Atal Chandra Rai . . 542 ,, K a 1 ic h a r a n Bannei'ji. Sp. J. Choudhuri ,, Mohanlal. 65 Executi%''P Councils for JIadras and Bombay 245, 266, 28'7, 305 M. (14) V. Krishna- swaniy Iyer „ (12) G. Parameswa- ram Pillai „ (15 1 Romesh Caun- der Dutt „ (13) N. Subba Rao Sc. (12) Ali Muhammad Bhimji „ (13 1 N. C. Kelkar „ (14 Prof. Paranjpe 282 66 Executive Councils for U. P., Punjab, Eastern Bengal, As- sam, Burma, 502, 522, 547, 568 M. (26) Bishan Nara- yandhar . . 541 „ „ S. Sinha . . 541 „ (28) Syed Muham- mad . . 561 „ (24) Tej Bahadur Sapru. . . 496 Sc „ Lakshmi Nar- avan . 497 173 173 173 282 241 301 258 241 258 Sc(26) Tej Bahadur Sapru . . 541 Spp. (24) Abdul Qusim . 497 ,, ,, Lala Hakini- chand . . 497 67 Expenditure— Par I ia- mentary enquiry 199, 222, 249, 264, 525 M. (11) Baikunthanath Sen . .212 „ (12) Bishambar- nath . . 242 ,, (7) K e n n v d y , Pringle . . 125 „ (13) Madan ]\Iohan Malaviya . 256 „ (25) N. M. Samarth-518 „ (22) B. N. Sarma . 448 „ (26) D. E Wacha . 537 Sc. (2.5) X. A. Dravid .512 „ (12) a. K. Gokhale. 243 „ (13) H i r e n dr a nath Dutt . 257 „ (20) J a m 1) u 1 i n - ga Mudaliyar. 412 „ (22) (t. a. Natesan. 449 „ (26) Pramathanath . 537 Spp. (22) N. M. Ranade. 449 Sp. (12) W. S. Caine . 242 „ (11) Madan Mohan Malaviya. . 212 „ (12) Raja Rampal Singh . . 242 68 Expenditure— Retrench- ment 136, 223, 459, 545 69 Extension of Lord Hardinge's Term of office , . .589 M. (29) Bhupendra- nath Basu . 583 70 FamIxNE Commission 199, 26S 71 Famine, Poverty a n d Remedies 247, 268, 308, 323, 346 M. (15) Madan Mohan Malaviva . 302 630 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM M. (13) E a man j ulu Niiiilii „ (13) C. Siinkaran Nair „ (16,17) G. Subra- maiiia Iyer 313, „ (12) Sureiidranath Baniierji Sc. „ P. A 11 a 11 d a- charlu „ (15) Madaii Mohan Malaviya „ (16) R. N. ' M u d- liolkar „ (13) A. S. Sathe . „ (17) N. M. Saniarth Spp.(16, 17) B enj ani- in, Joseph ;< 14, ,, (17) J a m b n n a t h Moziimdar „ (16) Muhuriuni Ali Chisto . ,, (l7) N. K. R a ma- SNA ami Iyer Sp. (15) Chintamani ,, (16) Churamaiii „ (15) Sheik llussain „ (16) B. G. Tilak . Forced Labour and Sii])- M I 111 Sc. I) Kanakva (SO Laia Sari ,, Lala lal . Foreign Telegrajihic Press Message Bill . M. (15) S. V. Bhate . Sc. 74 Forest 203, .VI. Dac) Biaz-ud- din Alimeii 139, 159, 17K, 226, 2H9, 3U9, 351,371, (h) R. r. Kaiandi- kar (7) P e t e r I'.iil Pillai 262 258 341 238 238 302 313 262 341 341 341 314 341 302 314 302 314 180 175 175 305 297 297 .•:;91 1 53 132 Sc. (8) P. K e s h a V a Pillai . . 153 Sp (7) S. B. Bhate . 133 „ (9) Meghani Ram 170 „ (7) Nmitkar . 133 75 Funds alhjtted for ex- penses of the British Committee and Indian General Sec- retary 94, 120, 139, 160, 161, 181, 205, 228, 249, 269, 290, 307, 327, 391, 413 M. (16) N. G. Chanda- varkar . .319 76 Funds for Congress work 95, 391 77 General Booth — Tele- gram in reply . .139 78 Government ajipeals against acquittals . 200 79 Grievances — Represen- tation to the House of Commons . 94,117 M. (5) W. C. Bannerji 88 „ (6) W. S. Caine .112 Sc. ., R. D. Mehta . 112 „ (5) Shurf-ud-din . 88 Spp.(6) Yule . .112 Sp. (5) I\Iadaii Mohan Malaviya . 88 80 HiuH Court for Panjab 177, 201, 247, 265, 371, 391, 438 High Courts, vide Exe- cutive and the Bench 81 High Prices of Food- stuffs . . 488, .506 .M. (23) C. K a r u n a- kiira Menon . 483 „ (24) Peter Paul Pillai .501 Sc. „ V. G. Kale . 501 „ (23) A. C. ]^artha- sarthy Naidu . 483 Sj>jj. (24) G o V i ndshni Sliarma . . 5ul INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 631 Spp. (24) D. E. Wucha . 501 82 Homage to the Crown on the DfcsiKion of 1 Edward VIFs Ac- cession . . . 344 2 The Delhi Durbar . 364 3 5 0th Anniversary of the Queen's Pro- clamatif)n . . 484 4 George V, Accession of ... 520 M. (26) Bishen Nara- van Dhar . 532 „ (23) Kash Behari Ghose . . 476 ,, (18) Surendranath Bannerji . 358 ,, (25) Sir William Wedderburn . 512 83 Ixco.me-Tax — Raising of the taxable mini- mum 53,72,92, 117, 137, 157, 177, 202, 227, 289, 309, 351 Indebtedness of Pea- santry : — vide Eco- nomic Condition M. (20) H. S. Dixit . 401 Sc. „ V. C. Desika- chariar . .401 Spp. ,, Joseph Benja- min . . 401 ,, ,, P a r V a t h i S h a n k a r Choudhuri . 401 ,, Madan Mohan Malaviva 67 „ (8) G. S. khapar- de . . 151 84 Indentured labour 567, 588 M. (29) F. G. Natesan 583 „ (28) Syed Muham- mad . . 561 Sc (29) T o t a r a m Senadhya . 583 85 India (newspaixM-) 344, 372 M. (17) W. C. Bonnerji 338 ,, (IS) Siirendranath Bannerji . 364 Sc. (17) P. M. Mehta . 338 Spp. ,, Ananda Chai-lu 338 ,, Madan Mohan Malaviya . 338 ,, ,, Muhurrum AH Chiste . . 338 India and the General Election— r/(7c Dele- gation of Gokhale 86 India Council — 1 Abolition 13, 198, 247, 265, 289 2 Reform . . 564, 587 M. (11) Chiplonkar . 10 „ (28) M. 4. Jinnah . 556 ,, A. S. Krishna Rao . . 587 „ (10) Eardley Nor- ton . . 187 Sc. (1) Ananda Char lu 10 „ (29) K. M. Chaud- huri . . 587 „ (10) R. N. Mudhol- kar . . 189 „ (28) X. M. Samarth 556 Sp[i. „ Gopal .Thamat- mal. . . 557 ,, ,, A- S. Krishna Rao. . 556 „ „ P. C. Mitra . 587 ,, ,, S u r e n d r a - nath Bannerji 557 Sp. (1) P h e r o z e - shah Mehta . 11 87 Indian Congress Com- mittee for 1900 . 306 Indian Congress Com- mittee for' 1901 . 329 88 Indian Council's Act 1 Submission of a scheme to Mr. Bradlaugh f o r drafting a bill . 90 632 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOxt FREEDOM PAGE 2 Bradlaugh's B i 1 approved 117 3 Indian Council's Act disappointing 154, 176 ,202 4 Amendment 521 M . (y) AnandaCharlu 144 , (26) A. Choudhuri . 540 Sc . „ V. Naidu (8) S u r e n d r a - 540 nath Bannerji. 144 Spi: ,, Hafiz Muham- mad Abdul Rahim 140 „ „ M. B. Nam Joshi 146 (26) Rambhuj Dutt Choudhuri 540 ,, (8) Raja Rampal Singh . 146 J, „ S u r e n d r a - nath Bannerji. 144 „ „ Umashankar . 146 jj „ Wahab-ud-din. 146 89 Indian Emigrants to British Colonies 408 90 Indian Expeditionary Force 585 M (29) A. P. Patro . 578 Sc. Spp. J o g e n d r a - nath Bose . 578 G. K. Gadkil . 578 ,, ,, Iqbal Narain Musaldan . 578 „ Dr. V. Praka- sa Rao . . 578 91 Indian lawyers' appoint- ment to the Priv;^' Council . 347, 371, 391 M. (17) K a 1 i c h aran Bannerji Sc. „ P. S. Siva swami Iyer 92 Indian Mines 1 Omissions in the Hill. 340 340 329 2 Minincr Schools . 351 M, (16) D h u p e n dra- nath Jiasu . 321 Sc. „ J. Ghosal . 322 93 Indian Mintj . .180 M. (9) D. E. Wacha . 173 Sc. „ R, P. Karandi- kar . . . 173 94 Indians in the Colo- nies 1 S. Africa 204, 224, 246, 265, 287, 328, 347, 366, 387, 435, 459, 486, 504, 521, 549, 562 2 Canada . . .563 M. (16) N.G. Chandra- varkar . . 320 „ (-26) J. Choudhuri . 542 „ (Iv.) U. L. Desai . 382 „ (17) Gandhi . . 340 „ (24) G. K. Gokhale 499 „ (2b) L. A. Govinda- ragiiava Iyer 552 „ (23) Madanjit . 425 ,, ,, Mustir Hasan Kidwai . . 478 „ (28) Nand Singh Sikra . . 557 „ (25, 29) G. A. Xate- san 513, 583 ., (11, 12, 14) G. Para- m e s w a r a m Pillai 217, 286, 279 ,, (22) P. R. Sundara Iver . . 448 „ (18) D. P. Thakore 360 „ (10) Alfred Webb . 197 Sc. (12) V. N. Apte . 237 „ (23, i6) C. Y. Chin- tamani 479, 542 „ (24) D i p n a i- a i n Singh . . 499 „ (18) Krishna Iyer . 360 ,, (2b) Krishna Kumar Mitra. 558 INDEX TO EESOLDTIONS 633 Sc. Spp. (2h) Lala L a j p a t Spp. (18) Suma, Hafiz . 360 Rai 554 ! „ (19) V. C. Vasudeva (25) Maiiilal Doc- Pillai . 382 tor . 513 95 Indians on Committee (14) R.D.Nagarkar 2bO of Agricultural (19)8. K. Nair 382 i Banks 328 (17) A. Filial 341 M. (16) Thakur Das . 320 (2y) S. Prasad Basu 583 1 Sc. „ Gyaneswara (21) B. N. Sarma . 425 i Sastri 320 (2v) H. A. Wadia . 448 i 96 Industries 586 (2b) Ayab Khan . 558 M. (29) K. R.V.Krish- o (21) C. Y. Chinta- na Rao . 581 niani 448 ; Sc. „ V. G. Kale . 581 (23) Clark, Dr. . 479 Sp. ,, J. C. Chakra- (2L) Day Eattan . 449 varti 581 (25) Debi Prasad . 513 „ G. K. D e V a - (23) U. L. Desai . 479 d)jar 582 „ G. K. Gadgil . 479 1 „ „ S. K. Nair 582 (18) Ghulam Hasan 97 Interpellation 225 Muakhani S60 98 Judicial Service — Re- (23) Ibrahim Noor - forms in 200, 436, dien Muqiiadan l479 507, 521, 547 (24) Iswara Charan 499 M. (25) Jogendranath „ L a k s h ni a n Mukerji . 514 Panday . 499 „ (10) N. Subba Rao. 191 {2'J) Lakshminara- Sc. (25) Braj Kishore . 514 sinha 583 „ (10) >; . G. Natu . 192 Q^•A) Lalit Mohan Spp. ,, A. R. Krishna Ghose 448 Iyer .192 „ Madanjit 448 „ (25) G. P. R a m a - (Z4) Malik Girdha- swami Iyer 514 rilal 499 99 Law Membership in (i.6) Maiiilal Doctor 542 the Viceroy's Council 521 (lii) R. D. Mehta . 237 100 Legal Practitioner's (26) B. S. Munji . 535 Bill . . . . 225 (24) C. R. Naidu . 499 M. (11) N. Subba Rao. 218 „ G. A. Natfcsan. 499 Sc. ,, J. Choudhuri . 218 (25) R a ghunandan Spp. „ M. V. Joshi . 218 Prasad . 513 101 Legislative Council (29) Raniakanta for C. P. and Berar 525 Malaviya 580 M. (25) Sir W. Wed- (23) Bambhuj Dutt derbum . 519 Choudhuri 488 102 Legislative Council (14) Raniesam 280 for Panjab 71, 119, (26) Soiabji Sapurj i 542 177, 21,2, 247, 269, (lb) Siileinian 3tO 290, 309 ,438 684 HOW INDIA WKOUOHT FOR FKEEDOM Sc (14) A. M. Bos(. . 283 (b";) R. C. Dutt . 303 (S) Thanakaia Lai 154 (lU) Madan Mohan Malaviva 00 R N. Miidliol- kar (13) C. Saiikaraii Nair (25) Sir W. Wed- derburn . . (9) G. K. (lokhale 193 165 262 526 166 193 154 166 166 166 422 lU) „ (10) Jaishi Ram . Spp. (8) Murlidhiir Sp. (9) B a i k u n t ha- nath Sen ,, ,, Bishen Nara- yandhar . ,, ,, T. Kemchand . 103 Legislative Councils, R e f o r m a n d Expansion of ]'.^, 29, 30, 52, 71, 135, 176, 202, 225, 410, 432, 461 M. (21) J. Chondlmri . „ (6) Lai M o h a II Ghose „ (5) Eardley Nor- ton . . .79 )) (•^;'0 Snrendi-anath Rannerji 39, 112 „ (1,4) K. T. TelasiK 11,61 M.A. (5) 'I'ilak, B G. . 80 Sc. (6) AuandaCharlu 110 „ (5) Ajudvlianath . 79 „ (7) R. C." Rose . 125 „ (21) L. A. (jovinda- ragliava Iver . 422 „ (3) |{ajali Sir T. MadhavaRao. 40 7) i'^) Suren (24) Senath Raja . 500 ,, (28; Syed Muham- mad Bahadur. 561 i Sc. (18) Joseph Benja- min 364 t I) (23) G o V i ndashai Sharma . 481 ,, (24) G u r u m u k h Singh . 5C0 j> (23) N a r a y a n a Menon . 481 (?) S a 1 i g r a m ! Singh 47 ' ,, (26) G. Sarma 541 Spp. (16) Abdul Rahim . ,, R. P. Karandi- 315 kar . 315 „ „ Krishna Baldeo Varma . 315 >) ,, Rajeudra Singh 315 Sp. „ G u r u c h a - ran Singh 315 638 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGE 120 Military subordination to civ il control . 435 1 121 Militia orcranisation 137, 158, 177, 202, 227 122 Miuto-M orley Reforms. 485 M. (23) S u )• e n d r a- natli Bannerji. 476 Sc. „ Madan Mohan Malaviya 477 Spp. „ Dr. Clerk Dr. Gopinath 477 Misra 477 ') L. A. Govinda- raghava Iyer . 477 )> Hariki shan Lai 477 „ 1. R. A. Hume 477 '' M. A. .Tinnah . 477 Modholkar 477 ,', (23) J. B. Petit . 477 123 National Control 525, 546 124 B d u c a t i ii 461,525 546 M. (22) H i r c n d r a - nath Datta . 453 Sc. „ M. P. Venka- tappiah . 454 Spp. „ Y. G. Bijapur- kar 454 'J ,, Ismail Hasan Sheraji . 454 S. K. Nair 454 M. K. Patel . 454 !,' '» J. N. Roy 454 >i C. V. Vaidya . 454 125 Native Chiefs — no de- position without trial 244, 265 ,289 M. (12) S. P. Sinha . 241 Sc. „ W. S. Caine . 241 126 N o m i nation to Legislative Council without consultation 226 308 (a) Election for C. F. 249 127 North- Western Fron- tier Provinces . , 508 M. (24) P u r u s h o t- tam Lai . . .501 Sc. ,, Sundar Singh Bhatia . . 501 128 Official Secrets Bill .... 389 M. (19) Bishan Nara- van Dhar . 383 Sc. „ Murlidhar . 384 Spp. „ G. S r i n i - vasa Rao . 384 (Jmnibus — vide Confir- niation 129 Outrages . . . 485 Pan.jab High Court, viie High Court M. (23) K. Krishna- samy Rao . 477 130 Panjab — a Regulation Province . . 327, 438 M. (26) Bishan Nara- van Dhar . 541 „ (16) Har Bhaga- van Das . .318 „ (24) Sundar Singh 497 „ (25) Tcj Bahadur Sapru . . 535 Sc. (24) D h a r m d a s Suri . . 497 ,, (25) Parameshwara Lai . . . 535 „ (16) T a r k a n a t h Mitra . .318 Spp. Ananda Charlu 535 ,, A. Choudhuri 535 „ Math Bandhu Guha . . 535 131 Panjab Regulations the Council's Panjab under Act . M. (24) Sundej 503 Singh Bhatia . 1) h a 1' m das Suri 49 4<)7 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 639 73 69 69 423 423 132 Parliamentary Com- mittee — request for one to enquire into suggestions of the Congress . M, (4) W. C. Bonnerji Sc. ,, B i s h ambar- nath 133 Parliamentary enquir- ies — periodical, to be revived . . . 433 M. (21) AmbalalDesai 423 Sc. ,, Tarapada Ban- nerji Spp. ,, V. Krishna- swam i Iyer 134 Parliamentary repre- sentation by 1 Dadabhai Xaoroji 249, 269,290, 310, 439 2 W. C. Bannerji, Sir 3 Henry Cotton and 4 Sir John Jardine 391,412 M. (13) P. A n a n d a - Charlu . . 263 „ (12) W. C. Bonnerji 242 „ (15) R. C. Dutt . 3C3 Sc. (13) Motilal Ghose 263 135 Partition of Bengal 390, 412, 436, 460, 486, .504, 523 M. (20, 2.5) Ambika- charan Mazum- dar . 405, 516 „ (24) Bhupendranath Basu . . 497 „ (19) A. Chondhuri 385 „ (22) Khoja A 1 1 i - kulla . . 451 „ (23) Krishna Nair 479 ,, (21) Surendranath Bannerji . 426 Sc. (23) Anibikacharan Mazunidar . 479 „ (20, 21) A. Chond- huri 425, 427 Sc. (23) D h a r m d a s Sui'i 480 ,, (24) K. Ekambara Iyer 498 ,, (23) Harischandra Vishindas 480 ,, (25) C. Karunakara Meiion . 516 ,, (22) R. N. Mudhol- kar . 4.51 ., (19) G. Rag h a V a Rao 385 ,, (22) S urendranath Bannerji. 451 Spp (20) Baikunthanath Sen 405 ^^ ,, Binnai Kumar Rai 405 (25) Nibaran Chan drada.s Gupta. 516 „ (24) P;iranieswara- lal . 498 Sp.(21) Abdul Kasini . 427 ,, ,, Baikuntha nath Son 427 ,, ,, Hadayat Bik- shu 427 ,, R N. Mudhol- kar. . 406,427 )) ,, Nussurudin 427 ,, S. Sinha. 427 C. V. Vaidva . 427 136 Pei'manent Settlement 1 Stan ding C o ni - mittee to report on 73 2 Sought 93, 118, 1.59, 178 198, 224, 249, 267 285, 328, ^87, 4C2 489, 508, 524, 545, 566, 589 M. (13) Adam, .John . 257 " (5,f: , l(i) Baikunta- nath Sen 85, 1.53 185 ,, (29) B h u p e n d ra- nath Basu 583 640 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREP^DOM M. M. (26) Das, M. S. 538 Spp.(ll) Bhagirath (19) L. A. Govinda- Prasad . 220 raghava Iyer 382 ,j (10) Kalj-ana Sun- (9) D. A. Khare . 172 dram Iver 185 (28) A. S. Krishna jj (28) M a t h r a d s Eao 561 Ranichand 561 (16) Madan lilohan " (22) Mehta Baha- Mala^iya 320 durchaiid 456 (6) R. N Mudhol- ,, (9) Mir Nisar Ali kar 114 Shokrat 172 (25) P c t e r P a u 1 ,, (26) Pantulu, Mr. . 538 Pillai 510 (19) Pete r Paul (23) R-,sh Behari Pillai . 382 Ghose 483 J, „ P. Srinivasa (11) M. N. Samarth 218 Varadachari . 382 (12) G. Subrama- ,, „ S. S u b r a - mania Iyer . 241 maniam . 382 (4) K. T. Tclaiig . 70 ,, (5) Snder-ud-d i n (13) Yciikata Rat- Ahmed . 86 11 am 258 ,, (19) P. R. Sundara (22) C Vijayara- Iver 382 ghavacliari 456 ,j (11) B. G. Tilak . 218 (25) Sir Wm. Wed- Sp. (22) Deshinukh . 457 derburn 524 ,, (7) K. G. Desh- (9) Ba i k u n t h a- pande 128 iiatli Sen 171 ,j (9) Gurucharan (14) M. R. Bodas . 276 Singh . 171 (22) Gokiiran Mis- ,, „ K. V. Joshi . 171 ra 456 „ (7) Pringle Ken- (12) A. P. Goodridge 241 nedy 125 (13) D. S. Garvel . 257 J, (10) Manavikrama (2b) H i r a n a ii d Raja . 185 Kliem Singh . 561 ,j (11) Pan durang (9) G.S. Khaparde 172 Bapuji . 219 (16) V. R. Nanibiar 321 ^^ (22) Raoji Govind 456 (lO) Hon. Mr. Natu 185 J, (9) Sheik Wahab- (8) Peter Paul ud-din . 171 Pillai . 153 137 Ph ysical education de- (6) R. Sabha])ati maiidod . . 179, 407 Pillai 114 138 Place and Date of meet- (5) S. Subraiiiania ing of the Iyer 86 2nd Congress 14 (11) G. Venkata- 3rd „ 34 ratnam . 218 4th )» 50 (26) B. Venkates- 5th 5J 74 warln 538 6th 95 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 641 7th Congress 121 M. (25) Sir William 8th 149 Wedderbiun . 523 9th 161 Sc. (26) Birendranath 10th 181 Sasnial . . 540 11th 205 „ (18) Krishnama- 12th 228 chari . . 362 13th 250 „ (4) R. X. Mudhol- 14th 269 kar . . 66 15th 290 „ (17) V. R. Nambiar 341 16th 310 „ (20) Srischandra 17th 332 Sarbadhikari . 405 18th 351 Spp. (20) S. B. Bhagavat 405 19th 373 „ (26) Bishnupada 20th 392 Chatterji . 541 21st 414 „ „ V. K. Jogatdan 541 22ncl 440 „ (20) V. G. Joshi . 405 23rd 462 „ (18) N. M. Maitra . 362 24th 490 „ „ M. K. Padhya 362 25th 508 „ (26) Sama Samud- 26th 527 ram Pillai . 541 27th 550 Sp. (21) Isvvarasaran . 426 28lh 610 ,, „ Jogiah . . 426 29th 569 „ „ Kali Prasanna 139 Plague e x pe n d i t u r e K a V y a Vj h i - 290 310 sharad . . 426 M. (14) V C Desika- „ (4) Kennedy . 66 chariar . 283 „ (21) Narguntikar . 426 ,, (15) E. C. Dutt 303 „ „ A. C. Partha- Sc. (14) G B. Phansal- sarthy Naidu . 426 ka r . 283 141 Political Meetings 140 Po ice ( 1) Aciministra- and Schoolmasters tion — Commission of 305, 567 enquiry . 72 M. (15) Ka 1 i c h a r a n (2) Eeforin 92, 117, Bannerji. . 299 138 158, 177, 202, Sc. „ T. M. Nair . 299 347 368, 411, 436, 142 Polytechnic Institute 523, 548 408, 438 M. (26) R. P. Karandi- 143 Poverty of India 134, kar . 540 156, 178, 199, 247, >» (8) G g . K h a- 248, 345, 346, 365, 408, 438 P- rde 151 M. (10) Jambulinga „ (4) Si jjid Hussain 65 Mudaliyar . 189 ,, (H, 18, 21) S. Sinha „ Theay, Sey- 341, 362, 426 mour . . 186 ,. (20) Vi Java Kumar „ „ Madan Mohan B Dse 405 Malaviva . 169 642 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Sc. Sp, (12, 17, 20) R. K. Mudholkar 239 339, 400 (Is) G. Subraniania Iyer . 358 (21) B. G. Tilak . 430 „ Gokarnath 430 (9) Gopinath 170 (21) L. A. Govinda- raghava Iyer . 401 (10) H. Morgan Brown . 189 „ Nandi 186 (l8) Perraju . 359 . (10) B. A. Clioudh- uri . 1S7 (21) K. N. Desh- mukh 430 (17) Guha . 340 (20) R. V. M a h a- jani 401 (10) R. N. Mudhol- kar 187 (20) K. Natarajan 401 (21) G. K. Parekh 431 (18) M. M. Patel . 359 (21) Runibhuj Dutt 430 „ X. K. Raraa- swami Iyer . 430 „ Sanktau Pra- sad . 430 (9) Ambikacharan Maitra . 170 „ Mahomnd AH Bhiniji . 170 ,, Muhurrinu Ali Chiste . 170 (10) P ar tha s ara- tliy iSIaidn 187 (12) N. M. Sanmrth 239 (10), (12) G. Subra- mania Iyer '190, 339 (10) V i s h n 11 pada Chatterji 189 144 Press (1) Liberty cur- tailed 203, 224, 247, 266, 285, 309, 439, 566, 589 (2) Repeal of the Act . 524 (3) Secret Press Com- mittees . . 285 (4) Summary attach- ment of n e w s- papers . . 488 M. (28) B hupendra- n a t h B a s n 559, 593 „ (14) A. M. Bose . 282 „ „ \V. A. Cham- bers . . 277 ,, (25) A. Choudhuri. 517 „ (11) Keay, Sey- mour . . 210 „ (10, 15) F. Rama- chandra Pillai 195, 302 ,, (13) C. Saukaran Xair . . 257 „ (23) P. R. Sundara Tver . . 482 Sc. (28) Dalvi . . 560 „ (25) Dwarkanath . 517 „ (14) N. C. KeJkar 277 „ (25) A. S. Krishna Rao . .517 „ (11), (23)Ramachan- dra Pillai 216 , 482 „ (23) S. Sinha . 483 „ (10) G. Subramania Iver . . 196 „ (29) Yusuf Hasan . 517 Spp.(28) J. Choudhuri. 560 „ „ Krishna das Jhanisai . 5151 Sp. „ A.L.T. Desai . 216 „ Y. V. Modak . 216 145 Primary Education — Free 407, 461, 488, 507, 524, 546, 567 Gokhale's Bill . . 546 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 643 PAGE M. (26) A. L. Govinda- raghava Iyer . 538 „ (25) V. V. J o g iah Pantulu. . 517 „ (28) Syed Muham- mad . . 561 Sc. (25) G a n a p a t i Krishna Chitab . . 517 „ (26) R. P. Karandi- kar . . 539 Spp. „ Gour . . 539 „ (25) Hirdayau a t h Kunzru . 517 „ (26) Ji te ndralal Bannerji . 539 „ „ V. V, Pandya . 539 „ „ Satis Chandra Bannerji . 539 Sp. „ G. K. Gokliale 539 146 Privilege of election of members and of ap- pointment of n o n - official chairman 503. 522, 545 147 Prostitution 73, 160, 17S, 202 M. (4) Captain Banon 70 „ (9) D. E. Wacha . 169 Sc. (4) Captain Hear- say . . 70 Spp. „ Howard , 70 „ ,, M u h a m m a d Hafiz . . 70 Sp. (9) C. C. Maitra . 169 148 Provincial Committees 148, 462 149 Provincial Finance . 244 Provincial grievances — vide Behar Legisla- tion .... M. (12) B. G. Tilak . 233 Sc. ,, Yatindranatli Choudhuri . 234 Sp. „ Madan M.jhan Malavija . 234 48 Sp. (12) G. Parames- waram Pillai . 234 150 Public Service : (1) Commission's Re- port and Govern- ment Order d i s - satififactorv 93. nV, 224,244, 265,' 287, 348, 360 , 386 (2) Suggestions . 565 M. (28) Baikuntha- nath Sen 558 ,, (8) G. K. Gokhale 146 „ (18) G. K. Setna . 363 Sc. ,, Abdul Kasim . 363 ,, (8) Madan Mohan Malavij'a 148 ,, (28) N i ] r a t a n Sirkar . 559 Spp (S) Janardan Ra- ghunath Nim- kar 149 „ (28) V V. Jogiah Pantulu . 559 „ (8) Jotindranath Choudhuri 149 „ (28) Mathradas Raraohand 559 ,, (8) Unu'aoMirza Haii-at 149 Sp. „ Hoshan Lai . 149 151 Qualifications f o r Voting 91 M. (5) Eardley Norton 90 152 Quarantine at Bombay. 438 M (21) G. K. Parekh . 430 Sc. „ Ali Muliuminad Bhimji . 430 Spp. „ Abdul Kayara 430 ,, „ G. S. Khare . 430 ] 53 Railway S e r v i c e — Higher Ranks for Indians 370, 386 M. (Is) G. A. Patel . 363 „ (19) D. E. Wacha . 379 Sc. (18) S. M. Patel . 363 644 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Sc. (19) G. Suhramania Iyer Spp. (18) M. K. Patel . Sp. (19) Abdul Kasim . „ „ Pea ry L a 1 Ghose ,, ,, S u I'endranath Bannerji . 154 Railway— Third class passengers' g r i e- v^aiices 155 Reciprocity . M. (29) Mrs. Annie Besant . Sc. „ P. K e s a V a Pillai Spp. „ H i r d ayauath Kunzru . 156 Reduction of Cable rates . . 526, M. (25) Sir Wni. Wed- derburn . „ (26) Bi.xhan Nara- yandliar . 157 Reduction in School fees 158 Release of political pri- soners M. (25) Sir Wm. Wed- derburn . „ (26) Bishen Nara- yandhfir . 159 Representative Institu- tions 160 Repressive Measures and Boycott . 437, M. (21) Madan Mohan Malaviya. Sc. „ L al a Lajpat Rai Sp. ,, A. H. Gaznavi „ „ G. S.Khaparde „ „ D. A. Khare . ,, ,, V. Kriahna- swamy Iyer . „ ,, Panday Ram Sai-an Lai Sp. (21) H. A. Wadia . 428 381 161 Re-uniting of Bengal . 543 363 M. (26) S u rendranath 382 Bannerji 532 Sc. „ R.N. Mudhol- 381 kar . 533 Spp. „ Ambikacharan 381 Mozumdar Muhammad 533 AH Choudhuri 534 226 Miirlidhar 533 586 ", C, P. Rama- swami Iyer 533 580 ,, Rnmbhuj Dutt Choudhuri 534 .581 ,, D. E. Wacha 533 162 Royal Commission of .581 Enquiry into the working of the Indian 549 Administration 13 M. (1) G. Suhramania 519 Iver 9 Sc. „ P. M. Mehta , 10 542 Spp. „ Norendranath 179 Sen 10 16.) Salt Tax 74, 92, 118, 544 137, 1 57, 177, 202, 246, 265, 369 520 M. (15) C. Y. Chinta- mani 302 .541 „ (11) G. K. Gokhale 221 „ (6) Kennedy, 29 Pringle . 113 » (12) R. D. Nagarkar 23 () 460 Sc. (18) A. V. Desai . 363 „ (t2) M. S. Rama- 427 swamy Gupta 236 » (11) A. D. Upadhye 221 427 „ (6) D. E. Wacha . 113 428 164 Sanitation — Plague en- 428 quiry 544 428 M. (26) Sarat K. Mul - lick 537 428 Sc. „ J. N. Ghose . 537 Sp. „ Kaviraj Jatin- 428 dranath Sen . 537 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 645 165 Secretar}' of State's Salaiy" . . 409,433 M. (20) Sir Balchan- dra Krishna . 402 Sc. ,, G. Srinivasa Rao . . 402 Spj). „ M. K. Padhye. 402 166 Sedition Laws 267, 524, 544 M. (26) B a i k u n t ha- nath Sen . 535 „ (13) W. C. Bonnerji 260 „ (25) J. Choudhiiri. 517 Sc. (26) D. A. Khare . 535 „ (25) A. S. Krishna Eao . 5l7 „ (13) Mudholkar . 261 Spp. (25) Dwarkanath . 517 ,, (26) G. Srinivasa Rao. . . 536 „ (25) Yusuf Khan . 51 7 166 («) Selection of Presi- dent . . . 463 M. (22) D. A. Khare . 457 167 Separate Communal re- presentation (elector- ates) . 525, 547, 589 M. (26) Gnkarannath Misra . . 540 „ (25) M. A. Jinnah . 518 Sc. „ Muzharal Haq 518 „ (26) Naraj'an Pra- sad . . 540 Spp. (25) S3'ed Hasan Imam . .518 168 Separation of Judicial and Executive Func- tions : 33, 54, 71,91, 117, 137, 156, 177, 200, 223, 243, 268, 286, 303, 323, 316, 368, 391, 412, 436, 460, 487, 507, 521, 547, 568, 588 M. (15) Ambikacha- ran M o z u m- dar. . . 293 ,, (26) Bishan Nara- vandhar. . 540 „ (14) A. M. Bose . 278 „ (13) ,J, Choudhnri . 257 „ (18) Ambalal Sa- kerlal Desai . 362 „ (21) R. C. Dutt . 425 „ (12) J. P. G o o d - ridge . . 233 „ (17) Gour . . 340 ,, (2(_i) Harischandra Rai Vishandas 4('5 ,, (25) Jogendranath Mukerji . . 51-i „ (1<) K a 1 i c h aran Bannerji . 168 „ (22) Krishna Xair. 460 „ (11) Mana Mohan Ghose . . 215 „ (24) Madan Moh an Malaviva . 501 „ (8) R. X. Mudhol- kar . . 149 „ (16) S. Sinha . 315 ,, (2;i) Sat ischandra Bannerji . 481 ,, (3) X. Subrama- niam . . 47 Sc. (15) Agashe . . 293 „ (8, 18, 22) Am- bika c h a r a n Mozumdar 15u, 362, 460 ,, (25) Braj Kishore Mahant . . 514 „ (16) ChaitBehari Lai. . . 315 „ (28) Ganguli, K. C. 555 „ (12) X. X. Ghose . 233 „ (2c.) X. K. Rama- swamy Iyer . 4u5 „ (23) R. Sadagopa- chari . . 481 646 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM PAGE Sc. (11, 13, 21) 0. H. Setalwad 215, 257, 426 „ (173 G. Srinivasa Eao 340 „ (9) N. Subba Rao . 169 Spp.(15) Abdul Rahim . 293 ,, (17) Ambikacharan Mozunidar 340 „ (23) B i s h n 11 pada Chatterji 481 „ (16) Bun Ram Lub- liaya 315 „ (18) Cama, Rustan K. R. . 362 ., (16) C. Y. Chinta- mani 315 „ „ A. Choudhuri . 315 „ (8) Deo Rao Vina- 3'ak 151 „ „ Hun Cliandra Eai 150 „ (16, 17, 18) Kali Prasanna Kav- yabi,sharad315, 340 362 „ (20) Kali Prasauna Roy 405 „ (28) Lalchand Na- val rai 555 „ (8) Murlidhar 151 „ (15) Nasir-ud-din Ahmed . 293 „ («) K. G. Natu . 150 „ (15) A. C. Partha- sarthy Naidu . 293 „ (23) G. A."Patil . 481 „ (25) C. P. Rama- swamy Iyer . 514 ,, (21) Satischaudra Bannerji . 426 ,, (15) Sham Narayan 293 „ „ S. Sinha . 293 Sp. (9) Ambikacharan Mozumdar 169 583 426 Sp. (29) B h u p e n dra- Nath Basu ,, (21) Bishuupada Chatterji 169 Silver Duties— Aboli- tion M. (5) D. E. Wacha . 170 Simultaneous Examina- tions and the raising of the age of Candi- dates . . 13 1 Ex.- 93, 117, 137, 199, 224, 244, 265, 287, 309, 348, 391, 461, 523, (2) Thanks to the House of Commons for their S y m- pathetic Vote M. (14) A. M. Bose . „ (1) D a d a b h a i Naoroji . „ (8) G. K. Gokhale „ (26) V. V. Jugiah . ,, (11) Kalicharan Bannerji „ (2b) C. 1'. Rama- swaiuy Iyer . ,, (5) S. Raiiiaswami Mudaliyar ,, (12) G. Subi'aniania Iyer „ (9)j (10) Surendra- nath Bannerji 167,190 Sc. (28) K. C. Ganguli 555 „ (5) G. K. Gokhale „ (9) Hatiiid A 1 i Khan „ (26) Kane „ (b) Madai) Mohan Malaviya „ (12) D. G. Padhye . „ (It) Raja Rampal Singh 548 180 282 11 147 541 216 555 81 234 82 167 541 148 234 190 INDEX TO EESOLUTIONS 647 Sc. fl) D. S. White . 11 Spp.(28) Abdul Rahini . 555 ,, (5) Adam, John . 84 ,, ,, All Mahomed Bhimji . . 84 „ (28) Lai C h a n d Xavalrai . . 555 (9) C. Venkata- rain Naidu . 16S Sp. (10) Abdul Ri)hiin, 190 ;, „ G. K. Gc.khale 190 „ „ Ghulani Ahm- ed Khan . 191 „ „ M. V. Joshi . 190 „ „ Keay, S e y - mour . . 191 „ (9) Murli Rosen Lai . . 168 „ „ Raja Rampal Singh . . 168 „ (10) R. Yenkata Subba R lo . 190 „ (25) Sir William Wedderl>urn . 519 S o u t h Africa — vide Indians in Colonies 171 Standing Congress Committees at im- portant Centres . 34 (1) Committee for 1906 4^9 (2) Recommendations . 462 172 Standing Counsel for Madras, Bombay and Calcutta . . .94 173 Sub-Committee on am- endment of Rules . 526 M. (25) Sir Wm. Wed- dei-burn . .519 174 Subjects Committee . 462 M. (22) D, A. Khare . 457 175 Surpluses — U t i 1 i s a - tiou . . 409,434 M. (2(1) G. K. Gokhale 403 „ (21) G. Subramania Iyer . . 424 Sc. (20) Ambalal Sa- kerlalDesai . 403 „ (21) R. N. Mudhol- kar . . 424 Spj). „ Mathurdas . 424 Sp. (2o) G. Subramania Iyer . . 403 176 Swadeshi 460, 486, 506, 522, 545, 567, 589 M. (22) A n a n d a Charlu . . 454 „ (25) C. Y. Chinta- mnni . . . 513 „ (26) M. S. Das . 537 ,, (23) D i p n a r a i n Singh . . 480 Sc. (25) J i t e n d r a 1 al Bannerji . 514 „ (22) Madan Mohan Malaviya . 454 .. (26) S. K. Nair . 537 „ (22) K. Perraju . 480 Spp. „ G. K. Chittab. 480 (25) Dwarkanath . 514 (22) Iswara Saran. 480 „ Y. R. Joshi . 455 Khoja Maho- med Xoor . 454 „ Goolam Ah- med Khan . 454 (25) D. Y. Krishna Row . . 514 ,, Lokamal Chel- laram. . , 514 (22) R. Y. Maha- jani . . 480 (25) Snchindra Pra- sad Basu. . 514 (22) P. K. Tilak . 456 Sp. ,, Lala La j pat Rai . . . 454 177 Tata Research Insti- tute . . . .368 M. (18) G. Subramania Iyer . . 361 Sc. „ Krishna Nair. 361 648 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOK FREEDOM Spp.(lS) Madan Mohan Malaviya. IT'S Teaching Universities 248, 267, 289, 179 Technical Education 53, 72, 92, 138, 179, 227, 288, 309, 325, 351, -437, 461, 488, 507, 524, 546, (a) Commission of En- quiry 73, 92, 117, M. (16) N.G. Chandra- varkar „ CO Lala La j pat Kai „ (24) IVladan Mohan Malaviya „ (14) R.N. Mudhol- kar ,, (28) Syed Muham- mad „ (4) Tej N a r a i n Singh . Sc. ,, A n a n d a Charlu . „ (14) B aikuntha- nath Sen (S)) S. K. Xair . T e m 23 e r a n c e — vide Abkari ] 80 Tlianks and expressions of gratification to : — 1 Rev. Mr. Andrews for help in S. Afri- can troubles . Mr. Bradlaugh 119, B r it i s h Contribu- tion towards Ex- penditure . British Public for Famine relief W. S. Caine and Mr. Smith for successful debate in tlie House of Commons 6 The C r w n for 361 creating the Pro- vince of Behar . 543 567 7 The Crown for Royal message to the Princes and Peoples of India 585 8 Dadabhai Xaoroji 567 for Services ren- dered 140, 160 159 9 Delegates for work in England 318 120, 590 10 W. Digby for work 172 in England . 160 11 Electors of Central 5C6 Finsbury 160, 180 12 Famine Union of 282 England 365, 373 13 Gandhi for heroic 561 deeds in S. Africa 563, 588 69 14 Gokhale for S e r- vices rendered 439, 69 462, 588 15 Government f o r 282 appointing Ameer 173 All to the Privy Council 502 16 Goveniment for apjiointing S. P. Sinha as Law member 502 17 Government for 588 C o-o p e r a t i V e 140 Credit Societies Bill 390 18 Government for cre- ating Cadet Corps 325 367, 373 19 Government for 268 creating Province of Behar . 543 20 Government for des- patching the Indian Expedi- 92 tionary Force 585 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 649 21 Governmeut for Educational C i r- cular m re Univer- s i t y Commission Report 367, 373 22 Government for Famine Policy . 324 23 Government lor ini- t i a t i n o- Scientitic enquiry into Cause of Plague 544 24 Government f o r grants towards P r i m a r 3' E d u- cation . . . 567 25 Govern ni e n t for raising age limit 93, 117 26 Governmeut for re- ducing Salt Tax and raising asses- sable minimum for Income-Tax . . 390 27 Government for Re- uniting Bengal . 543 28 Lord Hardinge for bold pronounce- ment of the policy of G. of I. in re Inciians in S. Africa . . . 563 29 Lord Hardinge for successful adminis- tration . . . 589 30 House of Commons for vote on Simul- taneous Examina- tions . . .180 31 Indian Troops for lieroic conduct . 586 32 D. A. Khare for Ser- vices as General Secretary . . 569 33 Lala Lajput Rai for Services in Eng- land . . .439 34 Maharaja of Dar- bhanga . . . 160 35 Lor d Northbrook for pleading reduc- tion of Home charges . . .180 36 Mr. Pollak and Mr. Khallarlack for voluntary sacrifice in S. Africa . . 588 37 President of the Congress 263, 303, 414, 431, 457 38 Lord Reav of Bom- bay ."' . . 95 39 Reception Commit- tee 263, 414, 490 40 Secretarj^ of State for promise to re- duce Salt Tax . 227 41 Secretary of State in re Local Self- G o V e r n m e n t Scheme . . . 545 (a) Secretary of State in re Public Ser- vice 42 Secretary of State in re Medical Service. 523, 549 43 Suppliers of quarters, etc., to Delegates. 120 44 Mr. Tata for gift for higher scientific educational re- searches . . 309 45 Volunteers . . 502 46 D. E. Wacha for Congress Services . 569 47 Sir William Wed- d e r b u r n for per- sonal sacrifices 95, 527 48 Wedderbum, Dada- bhai Xaoroji and A. 0. Hume . . 325 650 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM 49 Sir. W. VVedderburn a n d the British Committee 119, 140, 160, ISl, 205, 227, 243, 269, 290, 307, 373, 391, 413, 439, 462, 502, 527, 544, 569, M. (6) Ayodhyaiiath (2s) B a i k untha- nath Sen (14, 29) Bhupen- dranath Basu 283, (26) Bishan Nara- yan Dhar (14) A. M. Bose . (16) N.G. Chandra- varkar (19) C. Y. Chinta- maui (22) D a d a 1j h a i Naoroji . (15) R. C Dutt . (9, 25) G. K. Go- khale 175, (21) D. A. Khare . (22) Lai Mohan Ghose (21, 24) M a d a n Mohan Mala- viya 431, (24) P. M. Mehta . (13) C. Sank a ran Nair (14, 22) G. Subra- mania Iyer 283, (16, 25) S u r e u- dranath Ban- nerji 317, (28) Syed Muham- mad (20) D. E. AVacha. M. (5) J. N. Yajnik . So. (22) B a i k u n tha- nath Sen . 457 „ (20) D. N Bose . 406 „ (16) Miss Balg-arnie 315 „ ,, Gama, Rustam 317 „ (;») D. B. Chakra- deo . . 176 590 „ (29) N. Chitambara- 115 nath Mudaliar 584 „ (21) Narayana Rao 431 561 „ (28) C. S. Ram a- swamy Iyer . 562 (21) S urendranath 583 Bannerji . 432 Spp. (22) Pt.Ramnath. 457 543 „ (5) C. Saukaran 283 Nair . . 89 „ „ H. A. Wadia . 90 320 Third Class Passen- gers — vide Railway 385 181 Tibetan affairs and I'or- wax'd jDolicy . . 410 455 M. (20) N. A. Wadia . 404 301 So. „ Mm-lidhar . 405 Sp. „ N. B. Ranade. 405 520 182 Trial by Jury 33, 71, 92, 431 117, 137, 157, 200, 223, 243, 265, 289, 457 308,371,391 Trial by Jury or asses- sors — claim for trial 501 502 by Natives 308, 371, 391 M. (11)W. C. Bonnerji 215 „ (8) Guru P r a sad 258 Sen . . 151 ,, (12) Hemchandra Rai . . 236 „ (10) C.H. Setalwadl93 459 Sc. (8) B a i k u n tha- uath Sen . 152 „ (10) K. V. Desh- 519 mukh . . 193 „ (12) R. P. Karandi- 561 kar . . 236 4C6 ,, (11) Venkatasubba 89 Iyer , . 215 INDEX TO RESOLUTIONS 651 PAGE Spp. (10) Ambik acha- ran Moziimdar. 193 „ (11) Venkatarao Giitikar . . 215 Sp. (18) Lakshminath Bezhararaa . 352 :, (2) Lala Murlidhar 21 „ (4) X. Subba Rao . 65 183 Trustee to the Pernaa- nent Fund . . 161 184 Union for Self-Govern- ment of the Congress an,d the Muslim League . . . 564 M. (28) Bhupendra- nath Basu . 555 Sc. „ R. N. Mudhol- kar . . 556 Spp. „ C. G o p a 1 a Menon . . 556 „ „ U. A. Khare . 556 „ „ Mathradas Ramchaud . 556 „ „ J. B. Petit . 556 „ „ D. E. Wacha . 556 185 University Bill . . 387 M. (19) Sm-endranath Bannerji . 3b2 Sc. „ Ainbalal Sekh- arlal Desai . 383 Spp. „ Choudhuri . 383 „ „ H a r i p r asad Chatterji . 383 „ „ Madan Mohan Malaviya . 383 „ „ R. X. Mudhol- kar. , . 383 ,, ,, G Subramania Iyer . . 383 186 University Commission -Report . . . 367 M. (18) J. Choudhuri . 360 Sp. „ D. G. Padhye 361 „ N. B. Ranade . 361 „ „ G. M. Tripathi 361 187 Validity of Wakf-i-ala- aulad . . . 460 M. (22) Muhammad Yusuf . . 460 Sc. ,, Baikuntha- nath Sen . 460 Spp. „ Abdul Kasim . 460 „ „ A. M. Jinnah . 460 „ „ S. B. Patel . 460 188 Verdict.s of acquittal bj' Jurj' — fi n a 1 i t y claimed 33, 71, 92, 117, 137, 200, 223 M. (10) Setalwad . 193 Sc . „ K. N. D e s h- mukh . .194 Spp. ,, Ambikacharan Mozumdar . 194 189 Volunteering 34, 54 7i', 92, 117, 137, 158, 177, 202, 227, 246, 371, 391, .585 M. (8) G. S. Khaparde 151 „ (29) R. N. Mudhol- kar . . 578 ,, (2) Raja Rampal Singh . . 22 Sc. (2.j) J. Choudhuri 579 Spp. „ R. V. Gupta . 579 „ „ A. C. Partha- sarathy Naidu 579 „ „ Seuathi Raja . 579 „ „ K. Ven ka ta Reddi . . 579 190 AVatek Cess Regulation 203 227 M. (10) G. Venkata- ratnain . . 196 Sc. „ V. V. Ava- dhani . . 196 Spp. „ S. B. Sanka- ran . . 196 Welcome to the Crown — vide Hom- age 652 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOE FREEDOM 191 Welcome to Lord Cur- zon . . . . 285 M. (14).Surendranath Bannerji . ^75 Sc. „ Syed Muham- m a d Baha- dur . . 275 Spp. „ P. A. n a n d a Charlu . .275 „ „ D. S. Garud . 275 192 Welcome to Their Majesties the King- Emperor and the Queen-Empress on their visit to India . 543 193 Welcome to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and the Princess of Wales 432 M. (21) G. K. Gokhale 422 GENERAL INDEX Acknowledgment of Tele- gram of Thanks f i- o m the Natu Brothers . Address to Mr.Charles Brad- laugh and his r e p 1 y thereto .... Anti-Congress Associations Assassination of Mr.McKin- ley .... Burn circular . Chairman of the Recej.tlon Committees in the several Congresses : 2 Dr. Rajendralal Mitra 3 Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao . ' . 4 Pt. Avodhyanath 5 P. H.Mehta 6 Mana Mohan Ghose . 7 C. Narayanaswanii Naidu 8 Pt. Bishambarnath . 9 Sardar Daval Singh . 10 P. Rangiah Naidu . 11 V. M. Bhide 12 Sir Romesh Chandi-a Mitra 13 G. S. Khaparde . 14. X. SubbaRau . 1.5 Bansi Lai Singh 16 Kali Prasanna Roy 1? Jagadindranath Rai Bahadiu- 302 96 56 335 531 16 37 59 76 108 122 140 162 182 206 227 252 270 292 311 PAGE 18 Ambalal S. Desai . 352 19 Sved M u h a m m a d Sahab Bahadur. . 374 20 Sir P. M. Mehta . . 394 21 Madholal . . .416 22 Rash Behari Ghose . 442 23 Tribhuvan Das Malvi. 466 ,, K. Krislmaswanii Rao 473 24 Harkishan Lai . .491 25 Pt. Sundar Lai . . 310 26 Bhupendranath Basu . 528 27 Mazarhal Haque . , 595 28 Harchandrai Vishin- das .... 552 29 SirS. Subx-a mania Iyer 371 Characteristics of the 1st and 2nd Congresses. . 15 Characteristics of the 3rd Congress . . .35 Cheers to Mr. Gladstone on his 82nd Birthday . . 124 CiroulRr convening a meet- ing of Representatives from all parts of India . 3 Congress — what work it has done and what not 7 Continuous Journey Regula- tion of Canada 563 Convention Com m i 1 1 e e Meeting at Allahabad . 470 334 I Coronation Darbar at Delhi 353 654 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Curzon's (Lord) acknowledg- ment of the Congress Welcome Telegram . 280 Death of Sir V. Bhashyam Iyengar .... 474 Death of Sir Seshadri . 335 Degree of Compliance witli the Resolutions on : 1 Abkari and Excise Administration . . 92 2 Abolition of the India Council ... 1^' 3 Annexation of Burma 9 4 Arms Act . . .51 5 Behar (a s e p a rate Province) . . . 535 6 Forest Laws 153, 170, 195 7 Legislative Council for the Panjab , . . 262 8 Military Expenditure . 9 9 Partition of Bengal . 532 10 Protest against the Bengal Government's order prohibiting Government Servants from attending the Congi'ess . . . 115 11 Reform of the Legis- lative Council 9, 40, 43, 61 12 Royal Commission to enquire into the work- ing of the Indian Administration . . 9 13 Salt-Tax . . .384 14 Separation of Execu- tive and Judicial Func- tions 149, 169 15 Silver duties, abolition of .... 87 16 Simultaneous Exami- nation and raising of the age limit . . 9 Delegates from the different Provinces 5, 16, 36, 58, 76, 105, 122, 141, 162, 182, 206, 229, 251, 270, 291, Delegates from the different Provinces {Continued) 311, 333, 354, 374, 391, 416, 441, 473, 491, 509, 528, 552, 570 ENTERTAINME^'T given to Congress members by Lord Connemara, Sir Sa- valai Ramaswami Mudali- yar and Eardley Norton . 51 Fathers of the Congress . 1 First Woman who spoke from the Congress plat- form . . . .116 Eraser's (Sir Andrew) Com- mission (Police) . . 548 Free Press granted by Sir Charles Metcalfe . . 17 Futile Surat Congress, The 465 Gift of Rs. 10,000 from the Rajah of Ramnad . 184 Gift of a Hall for the Divi- ■ sional Congress in the Southern Ma ratha country b y Mr. Ramachandi-a Mahadev Apte . .68 Indian Parliamentary Com- mittee in the House of Commons . . . 164 Industrial Exhibition in con- nection with the Congress: 1st . . . . 334 2nd . . . .353 3rd opened by the Maharaja of Mysore . 374 Insult to Sir ' P. M. Mehta and Surendranath Ban- ner ji at Surat . . . 468 Invitation to a garden ]5arty from the Rajah of Kollengode . . . 480 Invitations to the several Congresses made by 1 The Allahabad dele- gates for the 8th Congress . . . 134 GENERAL INDEX 655 PAGE 2 Lucknow d e 1 e g ates for the loth Congress 2S3 3 Mr. M u r 1 i d liar of Lahore for the 16th Congress . . . 303 4 Bhupendranath Basu of Calcutta for the 17th Congress . 322 5 P. M. Mehta of Rom- bay for the 18th Congress . . . 343 6 Yatindranath Chou- dhuri of Calcutta for the 22od Congress . 431 7 Chitnavis of Nagpore for the 23rd Congress 458 8 The Lahore Delegates for the 24th Congress 484 9 Tej Bahadur S a p r u of Allahabad for the 25th Congress . 502 10 Bhupendranath Basu of Calcutta for the 26th ' ongress ... 530 11 N. S u b b a Rao of Madras for the 29th Congress . . . 562 12 Sir Vitaldas Daniodar Thackersey of Bombay for the 30th Congress 584 Legislative Councils: Reform . . . .163 Local official obstacles to Congress . . . .55 Message from Keir Hardie read .... 475 Message of aii'ection from the President, Sir Wm. Wedderburn to Messrs. A. O. Hume and G. O. M. 519 Money collected for South Africa . . . 499, 519 Motives for convening a National Assembly . . 1 Murder of Mr. Jackson . 494 Dr. Lalkaha , 494 Murder Sir Wni. Curzon- Wylie .... 494 Notice calling a National Convention . . . 468 Objects of the Congress . 7 Peesentation of an address to Mr. Bradlaiigh and his reply ... 96, 97 Presentation of Rs. 4,000 and a silvci' salver to Sir Henry Cotton by Mr. I.S. Desai', Ed of the Ouzerati -394 Presentation of a gold watch and chain to Romesh Chander Mitra . . 243 Presentation of a book and a silver sah'er to Sir Wm. Wedderbui-n Presentation of a s i 1 v e r casket and money to Mr. Yule .... Presidents of the Congress : 1 W. C. Bonnerji . 2 Dadabhai Naoroji 3 Budruddin Tyabji 4 Mr. Yule . 5 Sir William Wedder- burn .... 6 Sir Pherozesh ah Mehta 7 P. Ananda Charlu 8 W. C. Bonnerji 9 Dadabhai Naoroji 10 Alfred Webb '. 11 Surendranath Bannerji 207 12 Muhammad Ralii m- Lullah Savani . . 231 13 C. Sankai-an Nair . 252 14 Ananda Mohan Bose . 271 15 Romesh Chandra Dutt 292 16 N. G. Chandavarkar . 312 17 D. E. Wacha . , 335 18 Surendranath Bannerji . . . 353 19 Lai Mohan Ghose . 375 20 Sir Henry Cotton . 394 78 60 6 16 37 59 77 108 123 142 163 183 656 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGK 21 a. K. Gokhale . .416 22 Diidfibhai Xaoroji . 44.3 23 Rash Behari Ghose . 467 24 M a d a n M o h a n Malaviya . . . 492 25 Rir William Wed der- burii .... 510 26 Bishan Narayan Dhar. 529 27 R. N. Mudholkar . 551 28 Nawab Syed Muham- mad Bahadur . .. 553 29 B h u p e n d r a n a t h Basu. . . .572 Presideutial Election p r o- posed in the several Con- gresses by : 1 A. O.Hurae . . 6 2 Jaikishan Mukerji . 16 3 W. (J. Bonnerji ' . 37 4 Pherozeshah Mehta . 59 o W. C. Bonnerji . . 77 6 Sir Romesh Chandra Mitra . . . 108 7 Pandit Ayodhyanath. 123 8 P. Ananda Charlu . 142 9 „ . 163 10 Sir Savalai Rauiaswa- my Mudaliar . . 183 j 11 P Ananda Charlu . 2u7 12 Pt. Bishambarnath . 231 ! 13 Surendranath Bannerji 2,32 ,' 14 P. Ananda Charlu . 271 j 15 Pt. Bishambarnath . 1^92 [ 16 Surendranath Bannerji 312 j 17 W. C. Bonnerji . . 335 18 P. M. Mehta . . 353 ly ^ „ . . 375 20 Surendranath Bannerji 3y4 21 Pt. Bhishambarnath . 416 i 22 Peary Mohan Mukerji 443 23 Ambalal S. Desai . 467 24 Surendranath Bannerji 4;)2 25 „ ,511 26 „ 529 27 „ 596 28 R. N. Mudholkar . 553 I 29 Surendranath Bannerji 572 Presidential Election seconded in the several Congresses by : 1 S i r S. Subramania I.yei- .... 6 3 Sir S. Subramania Iyer . . . .37 *i Sardar Dayal Singli . 59 5 Pt. Ayodhyanath . 77 6 Nawab Shamshoo- dowla . . , 108 7 Pherozeshah Mehta 123 8 D. E. Wacha . . 142 9 Muhurram AH Chiste 163 10 Raja Rampal Singh . 183 11 K. N. Bahadurji . 207 12 P. Ananda Charlu . 231 13 M. V. ,Joshi , 252 14 R. X. Mudholkar . 271 15 Bagar Ali Khan . 292 16 Lala Hans Raj . .312 17 P. Ananda Charlu . 335 18 S. Nair . . . ;:i53 19 Eardley Norton . . 375 20 C. Sankaran Nair . 394 21 Romesh Chandra Dutt 416 22 Nawab Syed Muham- niad .... 23 Surendranath B a n • nerji . . . , 24 G. K. Parekh 25 D. E. Wacha 26 R. N. Mudholkar 27 G. K. Gokhale . 28 Baikunthanath Sen 29 Nawab Syed Muham- mad . . . . Presidential Election sup- ported in the several Congresses by : 1 K. T. Telang . 4 Sheikh Raza Hussein Khan . . . . 5 Raja T. Rama Rao 443 467 492 511 529 596 553 572 59 77 GENERAL INDEX 657 6 Ananda Charlu and 1 Nawab Glmlam Rnlj- bani .... 108 11 R N, Mudholkar 207 13 Madan Mohan Malavi- ya and C. H. Setal- wad . . . . 252 14 John Adam and Jaishi Ram . . . . 271 lo D. E. Waeha 292 16 Miilmrram AH Chisti, C. Vi j i ar a gha va- chai-iar and Bansi Lai . 312 17 R. N. Mudholkar 335 18 S. X. Pandit 353 19 MadanMohanJVlalaviya 375 20 Madan Mohan Mala- viya . . . . 394 21 R.N. Mudholkar, Guru- charan Sinfjh and G. Subramania Iyer 416 22 C. Sankaran Nair 443 23 Motilal Nehru . 467 24 L. A. Govindaraghava Iyer and Raizada Bha- gat Ram 492 25 R. N. Mudholkar 51] 26 G. K. GoUhale, Syed Muhammad and Ram- bhuj Dutt . 529 27 Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya 596 28 Gopaldas Jhamatmal and Rainbhuj Dutt 553 29 R. N. Mudholkar and N. M. Samarth . 572 Release of the Natu Brothers . . . . 294 Resignation of Mr. Phero- zeshah Mehta . 492 Romer Commission (Mili- tary) .... 480 Rules framed at Allahabad 470 Singing of Sarola Devi Ghosal's Song " Hindustan " . 333 Stages, The several through which the con- stitution rules passed Statements of Royal person- ages, Elminent Statesmen and important officials in respect of Indian aspi- ration : Edward VII . . Queen Victoria 68, (a) Friendly : 1 Anstev, Chisholm 2 Beadon, Sir Cecil 3 Bentinck, Lord . 275, 415, 4 Bright, John . 65, 5 Bradlaugh, Charles 6 Burke, Edmund . 7 Canning, Lord Lord 188, 275, Ran- 164, 8 Churchill dolph . 9 Cre\i'e, Lord 10 Cromer, Lord 11 Digbv, Mr. . '. 12 Dilke, Sir Charles 13 Duke of ArgvU, 64, 175, 14 Duke of Devonshire . 15 Elliot, Charles . 16 Elphinstone, Mount- stuart .... 17 Fawcett, Henry . 18 Fitzpatrick, Sir Dennis 19 Gladstone, Mr. 42, 61, 444, 20 Goodridge, J P. 21 Grant, Charles . 22 Halifax, Lord . 23 Hardinge, Lord . 24 Hobhouse, Lord 261, 25 Hunter, Sir William 125, 109, 26 Irwin, H. C. 27 James, Mr. 471 445 445 108 236 534 534 46 534 534 67 529 396 354 530 336 164 125 395 534 162 534 241 64 415 529 303 302 186 215 658 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGE 28 Jenkins, Sir L. . 29 Lawrence, Sir Henry 30 Lawrence, Sir John 31 Lawrence, Lord . 32 Macaulay . . 35, 33 Macdonald, Ramsay . 34 Minto, Lord 35 Moore, CoL 36 Morley, Lord . 337, 37 Munro, Sir Thomas . 38 Xortlibrook, Lord 39 Palmerston, Lord 40 Peel, Sir Robert. 41 Reay, Lord . 89, 42 Ripon, Lord 57, 275, 43 Rntlierford, Dr. . 44 Stead, W. T. 45 Stephens, Sir James Fitzjames . (6) Unfriendly: 1 Brackcnbury, jMr. Henry 2 Chamberlain, Joseph . 3 Colvin, Sir Auckland . 4 Cross, Lord 5 Curzon, Lord 216, 415, 6 JDaly, Sir Hufih . 7 Diilferin, Lord 8 El,, 136 35, 153 185 Death . 447 Sc. „ 136 . . 171 M. R 15 338 „ „ 179 . 282 „ „ 79 88 „ „ l-«2 • 152 „ „ 132 69 Sp. „ 102 , 166 „ „ 166 . 261 Member D. C. 204 „ „ 182 . 215 I. C. C 306, 330 Banon, Captain A.I. 34.5 372 M. R 147 70 Baker, Sir Edward 494 Sp. „ 45 Bansilal Singh 151 Balachandra Krishna Pr. R 1 423 Welcomes delegates 292 n „ 110 . 517 Member I. C. C. . 301 „ „ 165 .. 402 Spp. Presidential Elec- Sc. „ 46 . 456 tion 312 Spp. Presidential Election 474 Bapu Rao Dada Balak Ram Member I. C. C. 289, .307 Member I. C.C. 331 Bapnji, Pandnrang vide P E. C. . 331 Barnard, Sir Henry 315 Balgamie, Miss Baroacha Sc. R 163 . 385 Sp. R 89 401 Bannerji, Kalicharan vide Basak, K. P. Kali Member I. C. C. . 331 „ Satischand fa ■tde E. C. 331 Satis Basu, B h u p e n d r a u a t h „ Surendraiiath ride vide Bhu Su ,, Nalinaksha vide Nali „ Tarapada c 'de T. „ Sadindra Prasad „ Jitetidralal vide J. vide Sadi M. N. Beaconsfield, Lord 10,59 Pr. R. Uo . 343 Beadon, Sir Cecil . 236 Bannerji, P. C. Beni Prasad Pr. R. 119 . , 541 Sc. R 105 . 319 Bonnerji, W. C. Benjamin, Joseph Presidential add ■ess 7 142 Sc. R no . 363 M. Presidential El e c- „ „ 116 . , 364 tion 37 , 77, 335 Spp. „ 71 . 341 Member S. C. 37 „ „ 83 . 401 R. C. 52 Bentinck, Lord 275 415, 534 C. C. C. 135 Bepin Behari Bose C. P. P. 155 Member 1. C. C. . . 331 INDEX OP NAMES 663 Member E. C. . 331 Delegate to England . 584 Bepin Chandra Pal M. R 46 577 Sc. K 10 . 343 „ „ 92 321 „ 13 . 452 ,, .. 144 559 „ 115 240 „ „ 184 556 Besant, Mrs. Sc. „ 104 . 482 M. E 155 . 580 , Welcomes delegates 528 Spp. „ 106 582 Presents Report on Bhagavan Das, Malik Rules 537 Sp. R 103 . 19 Bijapurkar, V. G. Bhap:avat, D. V. Spp. R 124 . 454 Member I. C. C. 331 Binai Kumar Rai E. C. . 331 Spp. R 135 . 405 Bhagavat, S. B. Bipin Krishna Bose Spp. R 140 . 362 Member, C. C. C. . 135 Bhagir;itha Prasad Birendranath Sasmal M. R ] 26 . 220 Sc. R 140 . 540 Spp.,, ]36 . 220 Bishambarnath Sp. „ 45 . 151 Welcomes delegates 141 Bhai Shankar ^anabhai Trustee of the Perma- Spp. R 52 . 360 nent Fund . 161 Bhana Ram Member I. C. C. 306 340 Sc. R 3 . 500 M Pi-esidential e 1 ec- Bhandarkav, R G. tion 231, 292 416 Pr. at 1st Congress 5 Sc. R 132 . 69 Bhashyam Iyengar, Sii V. 474 Bislian Narayan Dhar Bhate, S. B. Member R. C. 52 Member, D. V. 204 I. C. C. 306 330 M. R73 . 297 E. C. . 331 Spp.,, 1 423 D. V. . .521 Sp. „ 74 - 133 Delivers Presidential Bhatia, Sundar Singh vide Address 529 Simdar M. R 8 . 543 Bhide, Gopal Rao vide G opa ,, 37 . 195 „ Vishnu Moresliwar ,, 55 . 541 vide Vish „ 66 . 541 Bhugatram Sawhuy „ 82 . . 532 Sp. R. 110 . 167 „ 99 . 542 Bhupendranath Basu „ 110 . 542 M. Thanks to Recep- „ 128 . 383 tion Committee 283 „ 158 . 541 Member I. C. C. . 330 „ 168 . 540 C. I. 330 Sc. „ 61 . 424 A. I. 345 372 Bishnupada Chatterji „ S. C. 391 i Spp. R 168 . 426 ,481 U. H. 521 „ 140 . 541 664 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Bodas, M. K. Sc. R 136 . Bomanji Patel vide P Booth, General . . 131, Bose, J. C Bose, A. M. Delivei-s Presidential Address Member 276 138 239 271 I. C, C. 306, 329 E. C. . .331 M. R 11 . . 2b3 „ 46 . . . 274 „ 55 . . . 234 „ 144 . . . 282 „ 170 . . . 282 „ 180 . . . 283 Death .... 447 Bose, D. N. Sc. R 180 . . .406 Bose, M. M. Sp. R 110 . . . 167 Bose, R. C. Sc. R 103 . . . 125 Bose, Bepin Behari I'ide Bepin Bose, .Jogindranath vide Jog ,, Suvesh Chandra vide Suvesh Bose, Vijayakuniar vide Vija Bradlaiigh, Charles 46, 69, 75, 78, 96, Present at the Congress Received address and replied . . , 96, Death .... R 180 . Brajendranath Seal M. R 55 Brackenbury, Sir Henry 214, Bright, John Brij Kishore Mahant Sc. R 98 . „ „ 168 . Bruce . Budruddin Tyabji 123 75 97 123 140 152 449 534 514 514 253 Delivers Presidential Address . . .37 Sp. R 61 . . 399 Death . . . 447 Buparoodwada Member, I. C. C. . . 330 Burke, Edmimd 424, 534, 575 Caine, W. S. . . . Attends Congress 108, 233 Member, B. C. . . 94 Sc. R on Native Chiefs. 241 Sp. „ on E X p e nditure Commission . . 242 Death . . . .386 Cama, R. K. R Sc. R 104 . . .260 ,, on A g r icultural Improvements . 343 Canning, Lord 188, 275, 534 Chaik, Behari Lai Sc. Separation of Judi- cial and Executive. Functions . . ,315 Chakradev, D. B. Sc. Thanks to Lord Northbrook . 176 Chakravarti J. C. Spp. R on Industries . 582 Chematmal Gopaldas vide Gopal Chambers, W. A. Member I. C. C. 307, 330 M. Press Gagging . 277 Sc. Exchange compen- sation allowance . 175 Sp. Military Expen- diture outside Frontier . .217 (y'liamberlain, Joseph 280, 357, 377, 378 Chaiidavarkar, N. D. Sc. Simultaneous Ex- aminations . . 65 Chandravarkar, N. G. Attended the 1st Con- gress .... 6 INDEX OP NAMES 665 PAGE Member, S. C. . . 37 R. C. . . 51 I. C. C. . . 307 Delivers Presidential Address . . .312 M. Technical Educa- tion . . .318 Berar Legislation 318 Omnibus . . 318 Britisn Contribu- tion . . .318 Congratulations to Caine . . . 319 Funds for British Committee . .319 Thanks to British Committee . . 320 South African question . . 320 Death of Jaishi Ram . . . 320 General Secre- tary's appoint- ment . . . 322 Sc. R on Local Self- Governnient . 27 Omnibus Resolu- tion . . 81 Charuchandra Ghose Sc. Military Frontier Policy . . .276 Spp. Military Expendi- ture ' . . . 384 Charuchandra Mitra One of the Fathers of the Congress . . 2 Member, D. V. . . 204 Chatterji, Hari Prasad vide Hari Chatterji Mohini Mohan ride Mohini ChatterjiRamananda vide Ra Chatterji Vishnupada vide Vis Chief Commissioner of As- sam ..... 240 Chief Commissioner of C. P. 238 Chief Justice of Columbia . 557 Chintamani, C Y. M. Salt-Tax . 362, 385 „ Berar and C. P. Legislation . . 497 ,, Swadehi . . 513 Sc. Military Expendi- ture, British con- tribution . . 342 ,, Indians in Colo- nies . . 479, 542 Spp. Separation of Jiidi- cial and Executive Functions . . 315 „ Indians in Colo- nies . . . 448 Sp. Famine . . 302 „ Education . . 399 Chiplonkar M, Abolition of India Council . . 10. Chisti, Muhurrum Ali vide Muh Chidambara Rao, T. . .22 Chidambaranath Mudlr., K. Sc. Deputation to England . . 584 Chitnavis vide Gangadhar Invites Congress to Nagpur. . . . 458 Chitale, G. K. Spp. Swadeshi . . 480 Choudhuri, Mr. Spp. University Bill . 383 Choudhuri, A Member, S. C. C, . .400 M. Thanks to Presi- dent . . . 543 Sc. Partition of Ben- gal .. . 405 Spp. Separation of Executive and .Judicial Functions 315 ,, Education G o m- niission . . 342 666 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Spp Surat C. C. . 470 Council Reform . 496 ,, Behar Province Creation 535 Sp. Boycott Move- ment . 452 Choudhuri, B. Pal Spp. Poverty 340 Choudhuri, Jitendranath Member, D. V 204 I. C. C. . 330 J C. I. 350 M. Separation of Judicial and Execu tive Functions. 257 ,, Cooper's Hill College. 319 „ University Cora- mission r e c o m - mendations . 60 „ Partition of Bengnl . 385 ^, Leg-islfitive Coun- cil Reform 422 ,, Sedition and Pi-ess Acts 517 Indians in Colonies 542 Sc. Executive and Bench . 173 ,, Legal Practitioner.' 218 ^, Local Self-Govern- ment 278 ,, Military Colleges and Volunteering. 579 Spp Public S e r V i c e Commission Re- port 149 Sp. Repeal of Press Act 560 Choudhuri, Kumar Mau- mathuath Member, I. CO.. 330 M. Liquor Legislation 318 Sc. India Council Re- form 583 Choudhuri, Mahomed Ali vide Ma Choudhuri, Parvati Shankar vide P Choudhuri, Pramad Govinda, vide Go Choudhuri, Rambhuj Datta ^■ide Bambhuj Choudhuri, Ramkali vide Ram Choudhuri, Yatindranath vide Y Churchill, Lord Randolph . 67 Churamani Sp. Famine Enquirv . 314 Clark Dr. . . . ' . 475 Cobban, Rev. G. M. Sp. Abkari Adminis- tration . . 81 Colvin, Sir Auckland 54, 59, 61,69, 86, 1.53 Connemara, Lord . . • 51 Confucius .... 580 Cotton, Sir Henry Delivers Presidential Addi-ess . . . 395 M. Deaths of J. N. Tata and W. Dig- by ... 401 „ Appointments of General Seci-etary 406 ,, Congress Commit- tee .. . 406 Couch, Sir Richard . . 303 Crewe, Lord , . . 529 Cromer, Lord . . 164, 396 Cross, Lord . . 108, 123 Curzon, Lord 43, 217, 271, 280, 293, 297, 375, 376, 383 384, 393, 397, 399, 400, 415, 417, 418, 427, 4.57, 458 Cm-zon-Wylie, Sir William 494 Dadabhai Naoro.ii One of the Fathers of the Congress . . 2 INDEX OF NAMES 667 Serves on the Public Service Commission . 32 Election to Parliament 143 Member, I. C. C. .329 B. C. . . 94 C. R. E. . 120 Expresses grief at the deaths of VV. C. Bon- nerji, 8aniuel Smith 447,456 Sends telegram to the 25th Congress . .511 M. Simultaneous Exa- minations . . 11 ,, Appointment of Gen. Secretary . 455 „ Thanks to the'B.C. 4.55 Spp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . .11 Delivers Presidential Address . 17,163,444 Df\ji Abaji Khare Member, S. C. . . 37 R. C. . .52 C. C. C. . 135 I. C. C. 307, 330 C. R. E. . 120 sec. . 439 M. Thanks to Gok- hale and Lajpat Rai . . ' . 431 ,, Formation of Pro- vincial Commit- tees . . . 457 ,, Glutton Excise duties . . 53S „ Permanent Settle- ment . . .172 Sc. Repeal of Repres- sion Acts . . 535 Spp. Union of Congress and M u s 1 i m League . 556 Sp. Repressive meas- ures . . . 428 Dalvi, D. G. Sc. Appointment of Gen. Secretary Sp. Repeal of the Press Act Daly, Sir Hugh . Das, M. S. Permanent S e t- tlement Swadeshi Das, S. R. Sc. Representation in Councils Das, Nibaran Chandra ride Nibaran Das, Raghunath vide Raghu Datta, Hirendranath vide Hirendra Dayal, Prabhu ride Prabhu Dayal, Raghabar ride Raghabar Dayal Singh One of the Fathers of the Congress Sc. Election of Presi- dent Welcomes delegates Member, D. Y. . Death .... Dayal, Snkla vide Sukla Dej', Rattan Spp. Soutli African Affairs Dayaram Jethmal Debi Prasad Spp. Indians in Colo- nies Deo Rao Yinayak Spp. Separation of Judicial and Exe- cutive Functions . Member, C. C. C. D. Y I. C. C. . 307, Derby, Lord 125, Desai, A. L. Sp. Press Coercion 62 560 196 538 537 423 59 162 204 271 499 89 513 151 135 204 331 444 216 668 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Desai, I. S 395 „ J. V. Sc. Salt-Tax . - 363 Desai, Ambalal Sakerlal vide Ambalal Desai, Khiindu Bai Sc. Employment o f Indians . . 500 Desai, U. L. M. Indians in Colonies 382 Spp. „ . 479 Deshpande, K. G. Sjj. Permanent Settle- ment . . .128 Desikacbari, V. C. M. Plague expendi- ture . . .283 Sc. Indebtedness of Peasantry . . 401 Member, E, C. . . 332 Desmukh Sp. Permanent Settle- ment . . . 457 Desmukh, K. N. Sc. Trial by Jury . 194 Spp. Poverty . . 430 Deshmukh, M. G. Spp. Civil Medical Ser- vice . . .193 Dev, S. S. Spp. Famine . . 302 Devdhar, G. K. M. C o n c i 1 i a t i o n Boards . . 519 Spp. Industries . . 582 Devadoss, M. D. Spp. Loyalty to Throne 578 Devi Prasad Sukla Spp. Higher Education 519 Dhar, Bishan Narayan vide Bishan Dharmdas Suri M. Forced labour and supply . . .175 Spp. Partition of Bengal 480 Sc. Panjab R e g u 1 a- tions 497 Member, I. C. C. . 330, 413 Dhrnva, H. H. Member, S. C. 37 R. G. . 52 Digby, W. Secretary, B. C. ' 95,77, 354 Dilke, Sir Charles 530 Dipnarain Sinha Member, I. C. C. . 306 M. Swadeshi 480 Sc. South African Affairs . 499 Disraeli . . . . 59 Dixit, H. S. M Military Expendi- ture 342 „ Indebtedness o f Peasantry 401 Sc. I.ettres de Cachet . 500 Dixit, V. R. • Spp. Higher Education. 519 Dravid, N. A. Sc. Berar and C. P. Legislation . 497 „ Finance Enquiry . 518 „ Local Self-Govern- ment . 537 Spp. Loyalty to Throne 578 Dufferin, Lord 29, 50, 54, .=,0, 61, 354 Duke of Argyll . 64, 175, 336 ,, Connaught 578 „ Devonshire 164 Dunichand Sc. Education a n d Industry 318 Member, [. C. C. . 331 Dutt, R. C 273 Dutt, Aswinikumar ride Aswini Dutt, Kumar vide Kumar Dwarka Das M. Election of Univer . sity Fellows , 317 INDEX OF NAMES 669 Member, 1. C. C. . Dwarkanath Spp. Swadeshi . 514, „ Permanent Settle- ment Spp Press and Sedition Acts Editor of The Crescent pre- sent at the 1st Congress . Editor, The Dnyan Prnliagh present at the 1st Con- gress .... Editor, The Hindu present at the 1st Congress . Editor, The Hinduatani pre- sent at the 1st Congress . Editor, The Indian Mirror present at the 1st Con- gress . . . . Editor, The Indian Spectator present at the 1st Congress Editor, The Indian Union present at the 1st Congress Editor, The Indii Prakash present at the 1 stCongress Editor, The Kesari present at the 1st Congi-es . Editor, The Maratha present at the Jst Congress . Editor, The Nabahibhakar present at the 1st Con- gress .... Editor, The Nassin present at the 1st Congress . Editor, The Quarterly Jour- nal of the Poona Sarva- janik Sabha present at the 1st Congress Editor, The Tribune present at the Congress Edward VII Ekambara Iyer, K. Sc. Partition of Bengal Elgin, Lord 197, 238, 261, Elliott, Sir Charles . 331 Ellis, J. E. Member, B. C. 95 537 Elphinstone, Monntstuart 1 395, 575 517 j Escombe, Harry Evans, Rev. Mr. 279 517 Spp. Abkari adminis- i tration . 81 6 :' Omnibus Eesolu- tion 151 Fawcett, Professor . 77, 534 5 Fazul Hussain Spp. Representation by 6 Indians in Coun- cils 423 6 Fitzpatrick, Sir Dennis 162 Fowler Mr. 197 ; Fuller, Bamfylde. 428 6 Gadgil, G. K. Spp. Indians in C o 1 o- 6 nies ,, Indian Expendi- 479 ; 6 ture 578 Gaekwar of Bai oda 172, 352, 460 6 Visited Congress . Gajar, Prof. 450 6 Member C. I. Gajendranath Tagore .331 5 i Member, I. C. C. Ganapati, Sadhu, vide G. 301 Gandhi, M. K. . . . 499 6 M South African ques- tion 340 6 Ganesh Nagesh Member I. C. C. . 331 Gangadhar Rao Madhav Chitnavis 5 Serves on the Public Service Commis- 6 ' sion 32 455 Member, D. V. . Gaiiga Prasad Varma Attended the 1st Con- 204 498 gress . . . . 6 280 Member, P. S. C. 32 125 R. C. . 52 670 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT FOR FREEDOM Member C. C. C. 135 Ghose, C h a r u c h a n d e r I. C. C. 289, vide Charu 306, 330, 331, 463 Ghose, Jogendrachandra „ E. C. . 331 vide Joge C. I. . 350 Ghose, Lai Mohan vide Lai s. c. c. 440 „ Mano Mohan vide Spp. Council Reform . 440 Mano Ganf>:uli, K. C Ghose, Peary Lai vide Sc. Separation of Judi- Peary cial and Execu- Ghose, Rash Behari vide tive Functions 555 Rash Gantz, W. S. Ghosh, Motilal vide Mo Member, R. C. . 51 Ghulam Ahmed Khan S. C. 38 Sp. Simultaneous Spp. Rules of the Con- , Examinations 191 orress . 39 Ghulam Hasan Muakhan Garland, Miss S]ip. South African M. British contribu- question 360 tion to military Ghulam Rubbani expenditure . 295 Spp. Presidential Elec- Spp. Abkari, Local op- tion 108 tion 299 G i r d a r i 1 a 1, Malik vide Garth, Sir Richard 303 Malik Garud, D. S. Gladstone 42,61,69,110, Sp]). Welcome to Lord 124, 144, 145, 167, 189, Ciirzon . 275 217, 262, 271, 444, 534, 559 Garvel, P. S. Goberdhan Das Sc. Permanent Settle- Sc. Cotton E X c i s e ment 257 duties . 538 Gaznavi, A. H. Goculdas, K. Parekh Sp. Repressive mea- Spp. Poverty and re- sures 428 medies . 359 Ghosal, J. Gokal Chand Member, D. V. 204 Member D. V. 204 L C. C. 306 330 Gokaran Misra M. Congress Consti- M, Separate Elector- tution . 211 ate 540 Sc. Indian Mines 322 „ Loyalty to Throne 578 Ghosal, Lalit Mohan vide Sc. Permanent Settle- Lalit ment . 456 Ghose, J. N. „ Executive C o un- Sc. Sanitation 537 cils for U. P. and Ghose, N. N. Panjab . 515 Sc. S e p a r ii t i on oi Gokarnath ]\Iisra Judicial and Ex- Sc. Poverty 430 cutive Functions . 233 Spp. Council Reform 496 INDEX OF NAMES 671 Gokhale,G.K. i Member, I.C.C. 330, 413 , E. G. 331 A. I. . 345, 373 S. C. M. 391 1 Secretary, Standing C.C. 440 ! „ Surat C.C. 470 , Delivers Presidential Address 416 ' .M. Public Service Commission Re- port 148 „ Thanks to Lord Northbrook . 175 Salt-Tax 221 ,, Surpluses 403 Welcome to T.R.H The Prince and 1 Princess of Wales 422 I Omnibus 431 ]\ Surat C. C. . 470 ,, Indians in Colonies 494 i Sc. Simultaneous Ex- aminations . 82 ,^ Leafislatipe Coun- cil Reforms . 165 Spp J) Salt-Tax Presidential Elec- 113 tion 529 Sp. Education Simultaneous Ex- 131 aminations . 190 ^, Expenditure Com- mission 242 „ Boycott M o V e- ment 452 Congratulations to A. 0. Hume . 483 ,, Elementary Edu- cation . 539 „ Thanks to Sir Wm. Wedderburn . 520 Joint General-Secretary 413 Gokhale N. V. Sc. Interpellation i n Legislative Council preceded by expla- nations . . . 218 Gokhale, S. B. Member, E. C. . 331 Golab Chandra Bez Barna Sp. Medical Service . 237 Goodridge, J. P. M. S e p a r a t i o n of Judicial and Ex- cutive Functions . 233 Sc. Permanent Settle- ment . . . 241 Gopaldas Chamatmal Spp. Reform of India Council. . . 557 ,, Lo y al t y to the Throne . . 578 Sp. Presidential Elec- tion . . . 553 Gopal Menon, C. Sp. Ideal Self- Govern- ment . . . 556 Gopal Rao Bhide Member C. C. C. . 135 Govind, Raoj, vide Ra Gopinath Misra Sc. Poverty of India. 170 Spp. Minto-Morley Re- forms . . . 477 Gorst, Sir. J. . . .77 Gour, H. S. Member, D. H. . . 521 M. Separation of Judi- cial and Executive EunctioDS . . 340 ,, Local Self-Govern- ment . . . 515 Sc. Elementary Edu- cation .... 539 Sp. Education Expendi- ture . . .399 Govind Bukshi Member S. C. . . 37 „ R. C. . . 52 672 HOW INDIA WKOUOlir KOK h'K'KIODOM (!()\iii(l Who Ai)aii I\ili'l Sp. Kin'lwny Scrx ice . 'MVA Sp]>. S (> p a r a 1 i o ti of .luilii'ial and I']xi>- iMitivr I'^iiict ions . 48l (ioviiularayliaxa Aivar, L, A. M. l\>riiiaTi('iil Scllli"- mcnl . . ;'>SL' ,, V] 1 (' 111 (' II (. a I" y lOiliicalion . . tVJS ,, Indians in i li o Ooliinics . . 55-4 Sf. I'oviTty . lOl ,, Si'll'-( i()\ crniiu'iit . I'.");") „ Sural. I'. ('. . . 170 „ Coinu'il iu'ronn •1.22, 4!)() ,, iii)\ ally It) 'I'liroiic 577 S|i)). rn-sidcnlial Klcc- ii..n . . -M):.' „ M i n I u M or Iry llcrorins . . 477 Sp. Hoycott Movonicnt 452 (lovinda Shiii Sliarina Spp. Military Si>rvico . 481 „ 11 iyli prii'cs o i" iood-sliiIVs . :)01 (Irani, I'liarlos . . . ()4 (IruM., M. Oiimihns . . 2s:? (iiilia Spp. Tovcrly . . 'MO ( Jnlia, Anani lia ISandlui i iili' Anaiil .... Ciipla, N. M.MiiiuM- r. !.. I'. . ;u)i. ('. I,. T. . . :?04 (liijila, K. V. Spp. Mililary Trainiiit;' and Voliinlocrs . 570 ( iiinininkli Sinu'li So. Military St-rviio . 500 (iiirin'haran Sin,t;li Sr. Military Service . lUS Spp. I'residenI ial KliH'- tioii . . H() Sp. rernianeni Seltle- int-nl . .171 ( i lira Prasad Sen MeinI.er, i". S. 0. . ;{2 S. C. . . H7 n. C. . .52 C. C. C. . . i:55 M. Trial by Jury . 151 (Jiiriiswanii .\iyar, K. I{. Spp. I'liiiployment o f Indians in Piihlie • Servi.'e. . 424 (iyam>sln\ai'a Siisti-i Sj)]). Military Mxpendi- liir(>, liritisli eon- iribution . 2!>() Se. .\ jr 1- i I- n 1 t u r 11 1 Hanks, 1 n d i n n s on C"eininitle(> . '^20 II AltllU'I.I.A .SahAH Sp]i. Oniiiiliiis K'l^sdlii- lion . 2S:^ lliiday.U Hakshi Sp. r.arlilion of Heli- cal . . 4.27 Hajeo Malionied \ h d u 1 Sliakoor Badsliaw Saliib l\Teniber \{. C. .51 llakanu'hand, Lala Spp Mxeeiitixc Coun- cils . . . 497 llalilax, l,ord . . . 416 llamid AH .... H2 Hans Kaj, Lal.'i Sc. rr.'sidential Kliv- lion . . . :U2 llai-bhaiiJivaii Das, Lala M. Panjab M i' .ij ii I a - (ion Province . . '.i\H St-. Anns Act . . 85 llardio, Iveir . . 476 Hamilton, Lord (ieoPKO 200, 280 llard(>orain Nanabliai Uari- das Sji. C'iviliaii .liid.n'tvs . 'M\2 llardiiiLrc. I,ord '. . 52<» INJ)KX 01'" NAMES 673 li:irkiHh.'ui Lai M.'Uihcr I). V. :v2(;, r)2l I. CO. . -.VM K. C. . :i:n „ (J. I. . :mo C. C. . 4i:j S. C. C. . 440 S. C. M. . a!)2 A. I. 345, :5-2 Wi-lc()iii(!a Deleu-ali's . l!)! Spp. Miiit()-Morl(>y Ro- roi'ins . . 477 Tlarikishiiii Siiiha Spj). Ijoviilty to 'riii-oiic 578 llari Prasad Cliattcrji Spj). Kducatiuii . .152 „ University Hill . 388 llari Hani Paiulay Mcnil.cr K. C. . . 331 S|i|i. British Goiitribii- tioii to Military ExjKinditun- . . 296 liariscliaiidru, V. C. . .2 llarifhandrai Yisliaiidas M. S c J) a rati o n nf Judicial and Kxc- (•iili\(' Kiini'tions . 405 Sp|). Kdiicational K x- |)<'nditiir(' . 453 „ Parlilion ol Hcn- pral . .'4S0 „ Council Kcforuis . 49(5 „ Council |{ c f,' u- lations . . . 5l8 Sp. A p p o i n t in o n t ol' S(!ci-(!tari('s to Conjri'OHS . . 562 Welcomes delefjatea . 552 Ilarnani Das Sp]). Council Hrrnrnis . 496 HuHun In)ani ]n\it('s Conj^ress to Hanki))ui- . . 540 nuHhnnit Jltisain Spp. I'a n j a li \j a n d Alienation Hill . 295 Hearsay, Cajitain S(-. Prostitution hi.\v . 70 Hem Chandra llai M. Trial by Jury 236 rtc. Election of Uni- versity follows 377 llcranilja Chandra Maiti-a Member E. C. 331 M. E d n c ational Ex- penditure 130 ,, U (fi c i a Using ,,f Education 428 Sc. Kilucational Ex- jx'uditure 152 Hiranand Kliem Sinj-h Sc. Permanent Settle- ment 561 Hirondranath Datta Sc. Exjjcnditure Com- mission 257 M. National Educa- tion 453 llewett, Sir John . 2], 511 llobliouso, Lord . 261, 303 Howard . . . . 534 Howard, .1. E. Ajipointed C. R. E. 95 Sp. Prostitution . 70 Hume, A. 0. M. Presidential Elec- tion 6 Members. C. . [ 38 li c. 52 C. C. C. . 135 C. R. E. 95, 120 Presents report on Rules 51 (>en. Secretarv 74, 95, " 121, IR), 161 Hume, Rev. R A. Spp. Minto-Morley Re- forms . 477 S]). Abkari 81 674 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGE Hun Chandra Rai Spp. Sep a r a t i on of Judicial and Ex- ecutive Functions 150 Hunter, Sir William 125, 190, 302 Ibrahim Nourdien Muqua- DAM Spp. Indians m Colonies 479 Ibrahim Raliimtnlla Member I. C. C. . .413 Ikbal Shankar Member P. L. C. . . 304 C. L. T. . . 304 Iqbal Narain Musaldan Spp. Indian Expenditure 5?^, Irwin, H.C. . . .186 Ismail Khan Sheraji Spp. National Education 454 Ishvar Das Member E. C. . .331 Ishvar Saran Spp. Swadeshi . . 480 „ South African Af- fairs . . . 49.) Sp. Police Reform . 426 Iswari Lai Sircar Member R. C. . . 52 Jackson .... 494 Jadunath Majumdar Sjjp. Famine . .341 Jagadindranath Maharaja Welcomes delegates . 334 Jaikishan Mukerji M. Election of President 16 Jaishi Ram Member U. V. . . 204 „ 1. C. C. . 289, bu7 „ P. L. C. . . 304 „ C L. T. . . 304 Sc. Legislative Coun- cil for the Panjab . 193 „ British contribu- tion to Military expenditure . . 256 Sc. Congress constitu- tion Spp. Election of Presi- dent Jakatdan, V. N. Spp. Police Reform Jambulinga Mudaliar Member I. C. C. . E. C. . M. Indian Famine Enquiry ,, Criminal proce- dure Sc. Expenditure Sp. Legislative Coini- cil Reform . James (Commissioner) Janardan, Raghunath Nim- kar ..... Jardine, Sir John . 346, Jatindranath Sen Spp. Sanitation Jayaswal .... Jehangir B. Petit Spp. Minto-Morley Re- forms . „ Ideal Self-Govern- nient . Sp. Representation in the House of Commons Jenkins, Sir L. . Jhenda Singh, Sirdar Member I. C. C. . Jinnah, M. A. M. Separate Electo- rates ,, India Council Re- form Sc. Validity of Wakf-i- ala-aulad. Spp. Self-Government . „ Miuto-Morley Re- forms . Delegate to England 211 271 541 307 332 189 274 212 167 215 149 406 537 561 477 556 404 560 307 518 556 450 455 477 584 INDEX OF NAMES 675 Jinnah, M. H. Member D. V. . . 521 Jitendralal Bannerji Sc. Swadeshi. . . 514 Spp. Elementary Edu- cation. . . 539 Jogendi-a Chandra Ghose M. Inland Emigration Act. . . . 240 „ Assam labour. . 343 Jogendranath Bose Sc. Indian Expenditure 578 Jogendranath Mukerji M. Civilian Judges . 362 ,, Separation of Judicial and Exe- cutive Functions . 514 „ Judicial Service reconstruction . 514 Jogiah, V. V. M. Military Expendi- ture . . . 480 „ Simultaneous Ex- aminations . . 541 „ Public Service Conimission . 559 Sp. Police Reform . 426 Joshi, M. V. Member I. C. C. 307, 330, 413 E. C. . . 332 M. Appointment of Gokhale as dele- gate . . . 431 Sc. Pi-esidential Elec- tion . . . 252 Spp. Legal Practition- ers . . .218 ,, Congress Consti- tution . . . ^82 Sp. Simultaneous Ex- aminations . .190 Joshi, V. G. Spp. Police Reform . 445 Joshi, V. R. Spp. Swadeshi . . 455 50 PAGE Joshi, Kesava Vinayak vide Kesava Jolii, Nam inde Nam Joy, Govind Shome Member R. C. . .52 Jussawala Member D. V. . . 204 Kale, V. G. Sc. High Prices . 501 „ Industries . . 582 Spp. Coercive powers of Government 260 Kalicharan Bannerji Member R. C. . .52 1. C. C. . . 306 Appointed, C. R. E. . 120 M. Omnibus Resolu- tion . . .81 ,, Separation of Judi- cial and Executive Functions . . 168 ,, Simultaneous Exa- minations . .216 „ Teaching Univer- sity . . . 239 „ Political Meetings 299 „ Judicial Committee 340 Kali Prasanna Kavyabisha- rad Member I. C. C. Spp. Criminal Proce- dure „ Separation of Judi- cial and Executive Functions 315, 34u, 362 Sp. Petition to Parlia- ment „ Police Reform Kali Prasanna Rai Member D. V. . I. C. C. . Welcomes delegates Spp. Separation of Judi. cial and Executive Functions . . 405. 330 275 153 426 204 330 311 676 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Kiilyanasunrlram Iyer Spp. Perinanent Settle- ment Kanakya Lai Sc. FoiTod laboui- tnirl Supplies Kane, Rajpal ride R Sc. Simultaneous Kxa- minations Kanyalal Serves on the Public- Service Commission Kanhayalal Member 1. C. C. . 307, Spp. Panjab Lanrl Alie- nation Bill . Sp. Legislative Coun- cil for Panjab Karandikar,B. P. MeniV>er R. C. .. I.e. C. 289, 307, M. Sc. Forest laws. . Police Reform. Indian Mints . ,, Trial by Jury. ,, Educational expen- diture ,, Elementary educa- tion. Spp. Military Colleges and Service . ,, Legislative Coun- cil Reform . Agricultural indeb- tedness and Land Tenure. „ Rules . Karunakara Menon Member E. C. M. High prices Sc. Partition of gal. Spp. Educational penditure. Sp. Ben 185 17o 541 32 330 295 15.4 52 :\30 153 540 173 2^6 399 539 315 422 218 39 332 483 516 453 Kashi Prasad F. G. . .2 Services on the P. S. C. 32 Kashi Ram Member I. C. C. .331 Kasturiranga Iyengar Member E. C. . . 332 Keav, Sevniour M. Poverty . . 186 Sp. Simultaneous Exa- minations . . 191 ,, Press Coercion . 216 Kelkar, H. Y. Member f. C. C. . . 307 Kelkar, X. C. M. Military Service and Military Colle- ges . . . 364 Sc. Executive Coun- cils . . . 258 ,, Secret Press Com- mittee . . .277 Kcmchand, T. Sp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . .166 Kennedy Priugle M. Military Expendi- ture . . .125 Sp. Police administra- tion . . .66 „ Permanent Settle- ment . . 125 ,, Agricultural banks 125 Kesava Pillai, P. Attended the 1st Con- gress ... 6 Member, 1. C. C. . . 330 C. I. . . 331 Sc. Forest laws . . 153 „ Reciprocity . . 581 Spj). Coercive jjowers of Government . 260 Keshava Vinayak Joshi Spp. Education . 152 Sp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . 166 INDEX OP NAMES 677 Sp. Permanent Settle- ment Keshub Chander Sen . Khaparde, G. S. Welcomes dele< Mozumdar, A m bi kac h ara u ride Ambika Sp. Sedition laws . 26T Mozumdar, A.K. vide Akhoy ,, Jagannath vide .lagan Mudholkar, R. N. Secretary, C. C. . . 28^ Presents Constitution report . . 295 Member I. C. C. 306, 330 C. C. C. . 135 D. V. . . 326 C. I. . . 331 C. C. . . 413 E. C. . . 332 A. I. . 345, 372 Appointed C. R. E. . 95 S. CM. . 392 S. C. C. . 440 C. L. T. . 304 D. H. . 521 Deliveretl Presidential Address . . . 551 ]M. Permanent settle- ment . . . 114 vSeparation of Ju- dicial and Execu- tive Functions . 149" Legislative Coun- cil reform . . 165 Agricultural in- debtedness . . 217 Povertv 239, 339, 400 682 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM M. Technical Educa- tion 282 ,j Famine 302 „ Presidential Elec- tion 553 ,, Military Colleges and Volunteers 578 Sc. Military expendi- ture 125 „ Abolition of India Council 189 ,j Sedition laws 261 ,, Presidential Elec- tion . 271, 474, 529 ,j Famine Enquiry 313 ,j Reuniting of Bengal 533 ,, Surplus utilisation 424 „ Ideal of Self-Go- vornment . 556 Spp Presidential elec- tion 207, 235, 416, 511, 572 ,j University Bill. 383 „ Partition of Ben- gnl 451 5) Minto-Morley Re- forms . 477 Sp. Police administra- tion 66 » Magistrate's powers 195 n Partition of Bengal 406, 427 Muhammad AH Choiuilmri Spp Reuniting of Ben- gal ,. , 534 Muhammad Hafiz Spp. Prostitution . 70 Muhammad R a h i m tullah Sayani vide Sayani Delivered Presidential Add •ess 231 Muhamrr ad Sujjad Hussain M. Omnibus Resolu- tion 302 Muhammad Yusuf M. Validity of Wakf-i ala-aulad 460 Muhurrum Ali Ghisti Sc. Presidential Elec- tion. 163 „ Cadet corps . 342 Spp. Presidential Elec- tion. 3!2 „ Famine Enquiry . 314 „ Deputation to Vice roy. . 318 „ British Committee 338 Sp. Poverty. 170 Mukerji, Jaikishan ride Jai Mukerji, Jogendranath ^nde Jog Mukei-ji, Peary Mohan vide Peary Mule, N. B. Member, D. V. 204 MuUick, S. K. Sp. Self-Grovernment . 455 Munji, B. S. Spp. Indians in the Co- lonies . 425 Sp. Indians in the Co- lonies . 401 Munro, Sir Thomas 215, 575 Murlidhar, Lala Member S. C. . 38 R. C. . 52 C. C. C. 135 D. V. . 204 P. L. C. 304 M. Thanks to the President 303 Spp. S e p a r ation of Judicial and Execu- tive Functions 151 „ Legislative Coun- cil for the Panjab 154 „ Poverty 187 „ Panjab Land Alie- nation Bill 295 INDEX OF NAMES 683 Spp. Deputation to the Viceroy . . 318 „ Official Secrets Bill . . 384 „ Tibetan Affairs . 405 „ Reuniting of Bengal . . 533 Sp. Trial by Jury . 21 „ Abkari" . . 112 „ Military Expendi- ture . . .126 Mushir Hasan Kidwai M. Indians in Colo- nies . . . 478 Nagarkar, R. D. Sc. South African Affairs . . 280 Nagpurkar, P. L. Member D. Y. . . 204 M. Salt-Tax . . 236 Naidu, C. R. Spp. South African Affairs. . . 499 Naidu, V. Sc. Indian Councils Act . . . 540 Nair, S. Sc. Presidential Elec- tion . . .353 Nair, S. K. Sc. Technical Educa- tion . . . 173 „ Indians in the Colonies . . 382 Spp. Civil and Military Expenditure. . 215 „ Omnibus . . 302 „ National education 454 „ Swadeshi . . 537 ,, Industries . . 582 Nair, T. M. Sc. Medical Service . 279 „ Separation of Judicial and Ex- ecutive Functions 297 Political Meetings 299 Nalinaksha Basu Spp. Repeal of Acts of 1818 . . . 282 Nam Joshi, M. B. Member S. C. . . 3? E. C. . . 51 C. C. C. . . 135 M. Education . . 172 Spp. Indian Council's Act . . .146 Sp. Magistrate's powers . . . 195 Nambiar. Y. E. Sc. Congress Constitu- tion . . . 313 ,, Permanent Settle- ment . . . 321 „ Police Reform . 341 Nand Singh Sikra M. Indians in Canada . 557 Nandi, D. P. C. Sp. Medical Service . 237 Naudv, Alfred Member I. C. C. 306, 329 E. C. . . 331 A. I. 345, 372 Sc. Poverty of India . ,, Coercive powers of Government Sp. Petition to Parlia- ment . Narayana Menon Sc. Military Service Narayana Prasad Sc. Separate electorates, 540 Narayana Rao, K. Sc. Thanks to Gokhale and Lajpat Rai Narayanaswami Naidu, C. Welcomes delegates Member C. C. C. D. V. . Nareschandra Sen Spp. Officialising Edu- cation . . . 430 U 260 153 481 431 122 135 204 684 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Nargunti Kar N ibaran Chandra Das Sp. Police Ret'orin 426 Sc. Omnibus. 238 Nasir-ud-din Ahiiied N: ilaratan Sarkar Spp. Separation of Judi- Momlier E. C. . 331 cial and Executive M. Medical Services Functions 295 237, 279 Nasir-ud-din Kamur-ud-din ,, Separation of Civil Sc. Calcutta Municipal and Medical Ser- Act 299 vices. . 297 Natarajan, K. Sc. Medical Services . 343 Spp. Poverty 401 ,, Public Services Natesan, F. G. Commission . 559 M. Indentured labour 583 Spp. Otficialisiug Edu- Natesan, G. A. cation . 430 M. Indians in Colo- „ Educational nies 518, 583 Expenditure 483 Sc. Excise Policy and Ni vedita (Sister) administi-ation 423 Spp. Appointment o f „ Retrenchment of Gokhale as dele- expenditure 449 gate 431 Sp]). Military expendi- Norendranath Sen ture 384 One of the Fathers of „ South Africa 499 the Congress. 2 Sp. Educational e x - Member S. C. 37 penditure 400 R. C. . 52 Natu, Hon. Mr. . 254 M. Military Service Sc. Permanent Settle- for Indians . 47 ment 185 „ British Sessions Natu, K. G. ... 255 of the Congress . 116 Sp. Separation of Ju- Spp. Royal CoTiiniission dicial and Execu- of en(|uirv i n t o tive Functions 151 Indian Adminis- Natu, N. G. 255 tration . 10 Sc. Judicial Service . 192 Northbrook, Lord 175 Natu, V. R. ... 255 Norton, Eardley Member R". C 52 Spp. Enquiry into eco- nomic condition . 360 Appointed C. E. R. . M. Reform and exten- sion of the Legis- 95 Sp. Interpellation 218 Nayadu, C. V. lative Council 79 Spp. Lejfislative Coun- ,, India C o u n c i 1 cil Reform Bill 110 abolition 187 Nibaran Chandra Das ,, Qualifications of Sc. Education 172 Voters . 90 Spp. Partition of Ben- Sc. Presidential Elec- gal. 516 tion 375 INDEX OF NAMES 685 Sp. Ret'oria nnd exten- sion of the Leo'is- Isitive Council . 4)0 Xunbkar Sp. Forest Laws . 13:5 Nnssuruddin Sp. Partition of Ben- gal . .427 OuDH Behari Lai, Sp. Omnilnis . . 1.51 Padhye, D. C. M. Education. . . 399 Sc. Military E.\]jendi- ture oxitaide Fron- tier . . .217 ,, Simultaneous Exa- minations . . 234 Sp. University C o ni- mission Rejiort . 361 Padiive, M. K. Member I. C. C. . . 413 ' Spp. Police Commission 362 ,, Secretary of State's Salary . . .402 „ Educational E x- penditure . 453 Paine, Thomas . . .75 Pal, Bepin Chandra viJe Bepin Palmerston, Lord . . 59 Panday, Hari Ram vide Hari Panday, Lakshmana v/Je Lak Panday, Rama Saran Lai Sp. Repressive Meas- ures . . . 428 Pandhya, D. G. Sc. Officialising o f Education Pandit, S. X. Spp. Pi-esidential Elec- tion . . . 353 Pandit, V. A. Spp. Self-(iOvernment . 455 Pandit, V. R. M. Education C o m- mission . . 342 Sp. Elementary Edu- cation . . . 539 Pandurang Bapuji Sp. Permanent Settle- ment . .219 Pandurano' Gopal F. C. . . 2 Pant, H. D. Spp. Medical Service . 517 Pantulu Sop. Permanent Settle- meiit . . . 538 Paramesliwarlal Sc. Behar Province created . . 535 Spp. Educational e x - l)enditure . . 483 Pai-tition of Ben- gal . . .498 Piiranieswnrani Pillai, G. M. Sotith Africa 217, 236, 279 „ Executive Coun- cils . . . 241 Sp. Provincial Finance 23'1. Paranjpc, M. Sp. Cooper's Hill College . .319 Pai-anjpe S. P. Sc. Executive Councils f(n" Bombay and Madras *. . 282 Parekh, Goculdas, K. riclp Goculdas M. Q ti a r a n t i n e ;i t Botnbav . . 430 Spp. Povertv . . 401 Parekh, M. Sc. Pei-manent Settle- ment . . 382 Parekh, G. K. Sc. Presidential Elec- tion . . . 492 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Parfchasarthy Naidu, A. C. Peary Lai Ghose Sc. Exchange Compen- Member E. C. 331 ation allowance . 220 Sp. Appointment to „ Abkari . 229 Public Service 382 „ Cooper's Hill Col- Peary Mohan Mukerji lege 319 Serves on the P. S. C. 32 „ Madras Municipal M. Presidential Elec- Bill 385 tion 442 „ High Prices . 483 Peel, Sir Robert 64 Spp. Omnibus 283 Pel ■raju „ Separation of Judi- Sc. Poverty and cial and Executive Remedies 359 Functions 295 Perrazu, K. Military Training Sc. Swadeshi 480 and Volunteers 579 Peter Paul Pillai Sp. Poverty 187 M. Forest Laws 132 ,, Police Reform 426 „ Permanent Settle- Parvati Shankar Choudhuri ment 170 Sp. Indebted n e s a of „ High Prices . 501 Peasantry 401 Sc. Permanent Settle- Patel, Bomanji ment 153 Spp. Self-Governnient . 455 „ Economic Enquiry 359 Patel, Govinda Rao Apaji Spp. Permanent Settle- i-ide Govind ment 382 Spp. Educational Ex- Petit, Jehangir B. vide Je penditure 453 Sp. Council R e for m 496 Patel, M. K. vide Manekji Ph msalkar, G. B. Patel, S. M. Sc. Plague ex p n d i- Sc. Railway Service . 363 ture. 283 Patel, S. B. Spp. Panjab Land Alie- Spp. Validity of Wakf- nation Bill . 295 i-ala-aulad . 460 Ph 3ar, Sir John Budd . 303 Pathak, B. Ph jrozehah M. Metha Member C. I. 350 Member C. C. C. . 135 Patro, A. B. C. P. P. . 155 M. Higher education . 519 D. V. . 204 326 Patro, A. P. I. C. C. 306, M. Local Self-Govern- 329, 413 ment . 537 S. C. C. . 439 „ Indian exi)edition- C. A. B. . fiO ary force 578 A. I. . 345, 372 Patvardhan Standing Council for Spp. British Contribu- Bombay 94 tion to Military Appointed C. R. E. 95 Expenditure. 296 S. C. M. . 391 INDEX OF NAMES 687 Delivers P r e s i dential Address . . 108 Welcomes delegates 76, 394 Insulted iu the Surat Camp . . . .468 Secretary, Surat C. C. . 470 Resigns Presidentship . 492 M. Election of Presi- sident 59, 353, 375 ,, Address to Brad- laugh . . .78 Sc. Royal C o m m i s - sion of enquiry into Indian Admi- nistration . . 10 „ Presidential Elec- tion. . . . 123 ,, British Committee 338 Spp. India Council abo- lition. . ,, Loyalty to the Throne. Arms Act. Sp Pillai, A. Sc. S. Africa Polak, H. S. L. Sp. South Africa 499, Prabhu Dayal Member C.I. Prakasa Rao, D. V. Spp. Indian E x p e d i - tionary Force Pramada Govinda Chou- dhuri Member I. C. C. . Pramathanath Sc. E.xpenditure Prannath, Pandit Serves on the P. S. C. . Prasad Basu Sc. S. Africa Prasad Ram vide Ram Prasad Sanksita vide Sankati Prasadii Shiva lide Shiva Pravas Chandra Mitra M. Executive and Bench . . . 541 Prithwinath Pandit Member I. C. C . . 330 A. I. . . . 345, 372 Appointed S. C. M. . 392 Prithv^is Chandra Roy- Member I. C. C' E. C. Pulin Behari Sarkar Member C. I. Pulin Chandra Das Sc. Higher Education 519 Purushottam Lai Sp. N. W. P. Troubles 501 Queen Empress 11 ! ! 578 I 67 ! i 341 ; 542 I 330 578 330 538 32 583 330 331 330 Radharamankar Member C. I. 231, 334, 335, 397, 444 333 Ex- Baghubar Dayal Sc. Educational penditure . 453 Raghava Iyer, G. M. Enquiry into Eco- nomic condition . 359 Raghava Rao, G. Appointed S.C.M. 392 Sc. Partition of Ben- gal .. . 385 „ Local Self-Govern- ment . . . 516 Raglumandana Prasad Spp. Indians in Colo- nies . . . 513 Raghunath Das Member E. C. . . 331 Raghunath Rao, Dewan Bahadur At whose house the idea of a National Confer- ence was first conceived I Attended the 1st Con- gress 5 Rahimtulla M. Sayani Serves on the P.S.C. . 32 688 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Raiz.tda Bhagat Ram Spp. Employment o f Spp. Presidential Elec-- Indians 317 tioii ■492 ,, Poverty 430 Raja of Ramnad . 184 ,, Council Reforms . 496 Venkata.tiin ■ 3H „ Emi g r a t i o n to Rajpal, P. L. Canada 558 Sc. Executive Oouiicil „ The re-uniting of for U. P. and Pan- Bengal 534 jah 315 „ India C o u n c i I's Spp. Lvffrr>: ,h^ Carhi't . 482 Act 540 Raj pal Kane ,, Presidential elec- Sp. Council Reforms . 496 tion . . 529, 553 Raja Ram Mohan Roy 169 Ramchand. M. Raja Rampal Singii Spp. Repeal of Acts 7 Member S. C. 3S and IS of 1908 . 483 R. C. 1). H. . .M. T h a n k s to the House of C o m- mons for Simulta- neous Examina- tions Vote . .52 2U4 16.S Raniachandra Baldev Ajjte gi\es a Hall for divi- sional Congress Ramachandra Pillai, R. Member 1. C. C. . 307, I\[. Press coercion 68 330 195, 302 216 Si'. Presidential Elec- tion 183 Sc. Sc. Simultaneous Ex- Ramachandra Rao, ]\1. aminations . 190 Spjj. Local Self-Govern- Sp. Volunteering 22 ment 516 ,, Expenditure Ccnii- Ramkant Malaviya niission 242 Spp. Higher Education. 519 Raja Rampal Sinha „ South Africa 583 Sp. Indian Council's Ramakumar Goenka .\ct 146 Sc- C n c i 1 i a V i o 11 Ilajanikant Sarkar Boards . 519 S]i. Inland Emigration Ram Lubkaya Barna .\ct Repeal . 240 Sp]). Education 172 Rajendra Singh ,. Se p ar a t i o n of Spp. Military Colleges Judicial and Exe- and Service . 315 cutive functi(ms . 315 Rajendralala Mitra Ramnath Welcomes delegates 16 ■ Spp. Thanks to Death . . . 123 Gokhale 459 Rambhuj Dutt Ram Prasad Member D. V. 521 Spp. Abkari. 299 M. Military Service . 481 ■ Rama Rao, Raja T. Sc. Military Expendi- Spp. Presidential Elec- ture 480 tion 77 INDEX OV NAMES 689 Rainananda Chatterji Member E. C. . Spp. (Jfficialisint;- Edu- tioTi. Ranianujuhi Xaiflu M. Famine C o m m i s- siou. Ramaniia, A. Spp. Self-Gdvernment . Ramasaren Lai Pandav ride P. Ramaswami Sf. Currency. Ramaswami Iyer, C. P. M. Separation of Judi- cial and Executive Functions Sc. Retirement of Gen. Secretaries . ., Arms Act Sj)|). S e p a r a t i o n of .Judicial and Exe- cutive P^ unctions . ,, .Judicial Service Recruitment. ,, Reuniting of Ben- gal Ramaswami Iyer, N. K. Sc. Sepa rati o n of Judicial and Exe- cutive Functions . Spp Famine. ,, Agriculture . ,, Povei'ty Ramaswami Gupta, M. S. Sc. Salt-Tax Ramaswami Mudaliyar, S. . Made C. I. E. M. Sim u 1 1 a n e o u .« Examinations ,, Presidential elec- tion ■>p. Legislativ^e Coun- cil Reform . Ram Kali Choudhuri 331 Member P. S. C. . 32 S. C. . 38 430 R. C. . Ranade 52 Member C. I. 350 2G2 Ranade, N. B. Spp. Tibetan affairs 405 455 „ Military expendi- ture 425 Sp. Universitjr Com- mission Report 361 296 Ranade, X. M. Spp. Expenditure Re- trenchment . 449 Ranade Justice ride Maha- 555 dev .... 208, Rangachariar, T. 513 562 Member, C. 1. 331 579 Rangiah Naidu, P. F. C. . 2 Member R. C. 51 514 I. C. C. . 330 Welcomes delegates . 182 514 M. Militiiry expendi- ture 12 535 Death 354 Kamesan Sp. South Africa 405 341 343 430 236 51 81 183 62 280 Ranjit Singh, Dr. Sc. Medical Service . 517 Raoji Govind Member I. C. C. . 330 C. I. . . 331 Sp. Permanent Settle- ment . . 456 Hash Behari Ghose Welcomes delegates . 442 Delivers Presidential Address . . . 474 M. Homage to Crown 476 ,. Berar Legislation 483 „ Permanent Settle- ment . . . 4S3 „ Grief of Congress 483 Sends telegi-am to 25th Congress . . .512 Rasul 561 690 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGE Ratannath, A. Spp. Abkari . . 299 Ratnasabhapati Pillai, P. Member C. I. . . 331 M. Congiess Consti- tution. . . . 282 Reay, Lord . . . 8i), 172 Reynolds, Herbert J. . . 3u3 Reza AH Khan Service on the P. S. C. 32 Riaz-nd-din Ahmed Sc. Foreign Telegraph- ic Pi'ess Message Bill . . .297 Ripon, Lord 77, 275, li76, 339, 354, 375, 419, 534 Risley, Sir Herbert . . 559 Roberts, Lord 216, 3l4, 579 Romesh Chundar Dutt Presidential Address . 292 Member P. L. C. . 3u4 1 C. C. . . 329 M. Congress Constitu- tion. . . . 299 Thanks to Sir W. Wedderburu . . 301 ,, Executive Coun- cils for Bombay and Madras . . 301 „ Legislative Coun- cil for Panjab. . 303 „ Berar A(ln..ni8tra- tion. . . . 303 „ P a r 1 i a m e n t- ary representation 3C3 „ Plague Expendi- ture. . . . 303 „ Gen. Secretary's appointment. . 303 „ Separation of Judi- cial and Execiiti\e Eunctionn . . 425 Sc. Pi-esidential P]lec- tion . . . .416 Visits Congress . 450 Romesh Chandra Mitra Member D. V. . . 204 Welcomes delegates . 229 Presidential Address . 292 M. Presidential elec- tion . . . 108 Death . . . 293 Roshan Lai Spp. Public Service Commission Re- port . . . 149 Sp. T hanks t o the House of Com- mons . . 168 Roy, Dr 239 Roy, J. N. Sc. India and the general election . 431 Sp. National Educa- tion . . . 454 Roy, Syania Charan mde Syama Rustam Cama vide Cama Member E. C. . . 331 „ ICC. . 330 Sc. Election of Uni- versity Fellows . 317 „ Famine Policy . 317 Spp. Separation of Judi- cial and lixecutive Functions . . 362 Ruth.irford, Dr. . . .44? Ryru, Nainbier, Y. Member 1. C. C . 307, 330 „ E. C . . 332 A. 1. . 3^15, 372 S. C M. . 392 Sc. Military expendi- tuie . . . 425 Sabhapati Mudaliyak, a. Member S. C. . . 38 R. C. . .52 D. V . . 204 M. Arms Act . . 50 Sc. Excise duty on Cotton goods. . 184 INDEX OP NAMKS 691 Sabhapati Pillai, R. Sc. Permanbiit Settle- ment Sadao'opachariar, R. S. Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions Sadar-ud-din Ahmed Bpp. Permanent Settle- ment Sp. Anns Act Sadhu Gana]iati Sc. Self-Government . Sachindra Prasad Basu Spp. Swadeshi Sahasrabuddhe, B. S. Omnibus Spp. Local Self-Govern- ment Sajjad Hussain Sp. Police . Salio-ram Sjingh •Member S. C. R. C. C. C. C. . D. V. I. 0. C. . So. Military Service Sp. Proposal for British Sessions . Salisbury, Lord 108, 14-4, 3.35, Salomon, Dr. Erulker M. Medical Services . Samant, J. M. Sp. South Africa. Samarth, N. M. Member D. H. . M. Permanent Settle- ment ,, Military E.xpendi- ture 360, 3S4, „ Employment of Indians 424, ,, Finance Commis- sion of enquiry Sc. Omnibus ,, Famine Sc. Refurni of Indi I Count-il . 556 . 114- Sp. Poverty . 239 s unasamudrftn Pilhii Spp. Police Reform . 541 s481 s iminada Iver, S. A. MemboV R. C. . 52 s< uifi:am Lai, Lnla 86 INI. Punjab Land Alie in uarion . 500 S; uigavani 582 Si)p. Omnibus 222 Sankai'am, S. B. 514 Spp. Water Cess . 1;I6 Sa nkariin Nair, Sir. C. 151 Member S. C. 38 . C. C. C. . 1.35 278 1. C. C. 307, 329 413 65 C. I. M. Military expendi- 330 37 ture 195 52 „ Omnibus 257 135 „ Press coercion 257 204 „ Simultaneous Ex- 329 aminations . 257 47 „ Thanks foi- Famine Relief . 258 116 Sc. Presidential 401 election Spp. Thanks to Lord 394 363 Reay . „ Presidential Elec- 89 217 tion 442 Sp. Volunteering . 48 .521 „ Legislative Coun- cil for Panjab 262 218 „ General, Secre- tary's a p p o i n t- 4C5 ment . Delivers Presidential 263 500 Address . 253 Sa nkatu Prasad 518 Spp. Poverty 430 222 ,, Local Self-(ii)vern- 341 ment . 516 51 692 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM PAGE ! Siirat, K. Mallick M. Cadet Corps . 342 „ Sanitation . . 537 Sarkar, Rajanikanta i-ide Raj Sai'ma, B. N. M. Expenditiire re- trenchment . . 448 Sc. I n d i an s in the Colonies . . 425 ,, Appointment o i Law member . 513 Delegate to England . 584 Sarma G. Sc. Military Service . 541 Sarola Devi Ghosal . . 333 Sasanka Jihan Rai Spp. Swadeshi . . 537 Sassoon, Sir Albert . . 75 Sathe, A. S. Sc. Faiiiine Commis- sion . . . 262 Satischandra Bannerji M. Separation of Judicial and Executive F n n c- tions 436, 481 „ Council Regula- tions . . . 518 Spp. Elementary Edu- cation . . . 539 Satyanand Agnihoti'i Member S. C. . .38 „ R. C. . . 52 Savani, R. M. vide Rahimtulla Member I. C. C. 3(17, 329 D. V. . . 326 Death . . . .358 Scott, Sir John , . .303 Sen, A. P. M. Arms Act . . 580 Sen, Baikuntanath vi<]e Bai ,, Guru Prasad vide Guru ,, Jotindranath vide Joti „ Lalit Chandra vide Lalit „ Norendranath vide Nore Senath Raja Sp. Military Service . 500 Senkaram, S. B. Spp. Omnibus 81 Sergeant, Sir Charles . 303 Seshadri Iyer, Sir 335 Seshagiri Iyer, T. Y. Member D. H. 521 Setalwad, C. H. Member I. C. C. 307, 330 E. C. . 331 M. Trial by Jury 193 Sc. Se])aration of Judi- cial and Executive Functions . 215, 257 Spp. Presidental elec- tion. 252 „ Separation of Judi- cial and Executive Functions 426 Seth Mangaldas Girdhar- das Sc. Cotton excise duty. . 363 Setna, G. K. M. Public S e r y i c es Grievances . 363 Sliadilal Member E. C. 331 Shakespere . . . . 319 Sham Narayana Spp. Separation of Judi- cial and Executive Functions . 295 Shamshoodowla, Sc. Presidential Elec- tion 108 Shaik Fiaz Sp. Council Regulatior 518 Sheikh Husain Sc. Civil and Milita- ry Expenditure 215 Sp. Omnibus. 151 ,, Famine 302 Sheikh Raza Hussein Khan Member D. V. . 204 INDEX OF NAMES 693 Spp. Election of Presi- dent 59 Shaik Uniar Bunksh Member D. V. 204 Sheikh Wahab-ud-din Sp. Permanent Settle- ment . 171 Shelley 49 Sheridan 424 Shiva Prasad Raja 63 Sp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . 62 Shivaram Mahadev Paranj- pe Sc. Teaching Univ^er- sity 239 Shri Ham F. C 2 Shurf-ud-din Member 1). V. 204 _ Appointed C. 11. E. 95 Sc. Grievances . 88 Sierwright, C. F. Sp. Indians in Colo- nies 382 Simeon, J. Spp. Employ m e n t of Indians. 424 Sinha, Uipnarayan ride Dip Sinha, Harikishan r / il e Hari Sinha, S. Meml)er I. C. C. . 380 413 C.I. 331 A. I. . 345, 372 S. C. M. . 391 Member S. C. C. . 440 M. Separation of Judicial and Executive Func- tions 315 „ Police Reform 341,426 „ Election to Parlia- ' ment . 406 ! „ Executive C o u n- cil for U. P. 541 ' Sc. Repeal of repres- sive Acts . . 483 ,, Law Member . 513 Spjj. Separation of Judicial and Executive F u n c- tioiis . . . 295 ,, Police Commis- sion . . . 362 „ Delegation to Eng- land . . .402 Delegate to England . 584 Sinha, S. P. M. Native Chiefs . . 241 Sitaram Seth Spp. Currency . . 296 Sivaswami Iyer P. S. Sc. Judicial Commit- tee appointment . 340 Smedley Spp. Military expen- diture . . .342 Smith, Samuel Visitor at the 20th Con- gress . " . . 394 Somasundaram Pillai, S. Spp. Arms Act . . 580 Sorabji Knraka Spp. Currency . . 360 Sorabji Sapurji Spi3. Indians in Colonies 542 Spencer .... 575 Srinivasa Rao, G. Member 1. C. C. . 330 A. I. 345, 372 S. C. M. . . 391 M. Representation in Council . . . 423 Sc. Sejiaration of Judi- cial and Executive Functions . . 340 ,, Military expendi- ture " . . . 360 „ Secretary of State's Salary . . .402 694 HOW INDIA WEOUGHT FOR FEEEDOM Spp. Official Secrets Bill „ Removal of Coer- cive Acts Srinivasa Raghava Iyengar Srinivasa Varadachari, N. Spp. Permanent Settle- ment Srischandra Sarbadhikari Sc. Police Ret'onn Stanley', Lord Stead, W. T. . . . Stephen, Sir James Fitzjames 85, Strachey, Sir John Subba Rao, N. Member D. H. . Welcomes delegates M. Judicial Service . „ Executive Coun- cils Sc. Separation of Judicial and Executive Func- tions . Spp. Presidential Elec- tion Sp. Trial by Jury. ,, Legal Practition- ers Subra mania Iyer, G. Member P. S. C. . R. C. . D. H. . I. c C. 289, 307, M. C. I. s. c A. I Indian tration . Simultaneous iiminations . Permanent Settle ment , C. . 345 adminis Ex 384 536 258 382 405 84 447 261 110 521 270 191 258 169 511 65 218 32 52 204 330 331 440 372 9 234 241 M. Military expendi ture Thanks to Presi dent Famine Poverty medies Tata Reseai-ch In stitute . Surplus. Enquiry and Re Sc. 276 583 313 358 361 424 Thanks to Gokhale 45/ Press . . .196 „ Frontier Military Expenditure . 256 „ Currency . 281,3 60 ,, Employment of Indians 317,381,398 Spp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . . 80 „ University Bill . 383 „ Presidential Elec- tion . . .416 Sp. Indian Finance enquiry . . 190 „ Poverty . . 339 ,, Famine . . 341 „ Surplus . 403 Subramania Iver, S. F. C . . .2 Member P. S. C. . 32 R. C. . . 51 Welcomes delegates . 571 Sc. Presidential Elec- tion - . .6, 37 ,, Reform of t h e Legislative Coun- cil .. . 11 ,, Introduction of Reijresentative Councils . . 19 „ Permanent Settle- ment . . .86 Subramaniam, N. Spp. Pei'manent Settle- ment . . , 382 INDEX OP NAMES 695 Sp. Separation of Judicial aud Exe- cutive Functions . Subravardi .... Sukh Dayal Member I. C. C. Sukla, Devi Prasad vide Devi Suleiman, Haji Spp. South Africa Sultan of Turkej" . Sumar, Haji Spp. South Africa Sundarlal Welcomes deleaates Sunder Singh Bhatia M. Pan jab R e li u la- tions Sc. N. W. Frontier Province Sundaram Sastri, C. Y. Sulidararaman, K. Attended 1st Congress. Sundara Iyer, P. R. M. Repeal of Regula- tions 282, ,, Indians in Colo- nies Spp. Permanent Settle- ment Sui'endi'anath Bannerji F. C. Presents Report on Public Service Member P. S. C. . S. C. R. C. . C. C. C. C.P. P. . D. V. I. C. C. 204, 306, 329, C. I. A I. Appointed C. R. E. S. G. M. 345, Appointed S. C. C. . 440 Presidential Address 47 207,353 561 i Insulted in the Con- ' gress Camp . . 468 330 I M. L o c a 1 S e 1 f - Government . 26 „ Reform of Legisla- tive Council 39, 124 360 j „ Congress Sessions. 123 190 I „ Exchange C o m - pensation allow- 360 ance . . . 17-i „ Simultaneous Exa- 51] minations . . 190 „ Famine . . 238 „ Coercive powers 497 of Government . 258 ,, Welcome of Lord 507 Cui'zon. . . 275 31 „ Calcutta Munici- pal Act . . 297 5 „ ICmploymeut of Indians 316, 397 „ Thanks for 482 Famine Policy .317 „ Homage to Crown 358 448 „ Omnibus . . 364 ,, British Committee 382 and India . . 364 „ P 1 a c e f o r I9th 2 Congress . . 364 „ University Bill . 382 26 „ A p p o i ntment of 32 General Secretary 386 37 „ Presidential Elec- 51 tion 252, 312, 394, 135 492, 511, 529, 572 155 „ Partition of Ben- 326 gal . . .426 ,, Grief of Congress 456 413 „ Minto-Morley Re- 331 ; forms . . .467 372 „ Council Reforms 494 95 ,, Reuniting of Beu- 391 gal . . . 532 696 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM M. Loyalty to the Throne . . 577 „ Self-Governiiient . 582 Sc. Reform of the Le- gislative Councils. 61 ,, Indian CounL-ils . 144 ,, Congress Constitu- tion . . .282 „ Thanks to Presi- dent . . .432 „ Partition of Ben- gal . . . 451 Spp. Legislative Coun- cil Reform . 80, 422 Sp. Thanks t o t h e House of Commons 167 „ Public Service 341, 381 ,, Council R e g u 1 a- tions . . . 5J8 ,, Thanks to British Committee . . 519 Surendranath Mallick Spp. Reform in the Le- gislative Council . 557 Sureshwara Mukerji Spp. Agriculture . . 343 Suweschandra Bose Spp. Self-Government . 583 Swayne, General . . . 557 Syamacharan Roy Member E. C. . . 331 Syed Ahmed, Sir . . 62 Syed Ali Usat Si)p. Omnibus. . . 3U2 Syed Hassan Iman Member D. V. . .521 M. Leftres de Cuchet . 481 Spp. Council Reform . 496 „ Separate Electo- rates. . . 518 Sved Muhammad Bahadur Member I. C. C 330, 413 sec. . 440 Presidential Address . 553 Welcomes delegates . 374 M. Presidential Elec- tion 474 ,, Militaiy Service . 561 ,, Education .561 ,j Executive and Bench 561 ,j Swadeshi 561 ,, Indentured labour .561 ,, Local Self-Govern- ment .561 ,, Council Regula- tions 561 ,, Executive C o u n- cils for U. P. and Panjab 561 ,, Deputation t o England 561 ,, Thanks to B. C. . 561 Sc. Welcome to Lord Curzon 275 )) Pi-esidential Elec- tion . . 442, 572 Spp . Presidential Elec- tion 474 Sp Death of J. Ghose and P. R. Sundara Iyer 554 Tahilram, Khen Chand Member I. C. C. 307, 330 Tarakan ith IMitra Sc. Panjab Regulation Province 318 Tarapad 1 Banner ji Member C. I. 330 Sc. Criminal P r o c e- dure 275 ,, Periodical Parlia- mentary enquiries 423 Tata, Ml 359 Tata, J. N. Member C. I, 331 Tej Bah idur Sapru Member E. C. . 331 M. Executive Coun- cils 496 )» Behar Province . 535 IKDKX OF NAMES 697 PAGE Sc. Council Ref^ula- tions . „ Executive Council for U. P. . SpiJ. Leftres cle Cachet Tej Nai-ayan Singh Sp. Industrial Condi tion Telang, K. T. F. C. . M. Reform, Legisla ti^^e Council. 11 M.A. Permanent Set tlemeut Spp. Presidential Elec tion Sp. Educational ex penditure Temple, Sir Richard . Thakore, D. P. M. S. African Ques tion Thakore Das M. Agriculture . Tilak, B. G. 255 Delegate to 5th Con orress. . Member, I. C. C. E. C. „ C. 1. . M. Provincial Finance „ Poverty. M.A. Legislative Coun oil Reform . Sc. Civil Medical Ser vice. „ Education C o m mission. „ D e 1 e g a t i o n t o England Spp. Permanent Settle ment „ Swadeshi Sp Arras Act „ Pei-manent Settle ment . . Sp. Famine enquiry . 314 518 Totarani Senadhya Sc. Indentui'ed labour 583 541 Trailokyanath Mitra 482 Member S. C. . .37 R. C. . . 52 M. „ . . 38 69 Tribhuvandas Malvi 163 ; Welcomes delegates . 466 2 ! Tripathi, G. M. Sp. Education — Uni- , 61 j versity Commis- sion . . . 361 70 Tulsi Ram Sp. Excise duty . 221 6 Uma Shankar Spp. India Councils Act 146 68 Umar Bukshi 41 Member C. I. . . 350 Umrao Mirza Hairat Sp. Public Service 360 Commission . 149 Upadhye, A. D. 320 So. Salt-Tax . . 221 289 Upasani, S. B. Spp. Loyalty to Throne 578 78 Utamlal Trivedi 330 Spp Educational ex- 331 penditure . . 483 350 . Vaidya, C. V. 234 Spp. National Education 454 430 Sp. Partition of Bengal 427 Vaidya, V. P. 80 Sc. Election to Parlia- ment . . . 406 218 Varrna, Ganga Prasad vide Ganga 342 Varma, K. B. Spp. Cadet Corps . 342 402 Vasudeva Ij'engar I S. C. M.'" . . .392 218 ! Vasudeva Pillai, V. G. 454 I Spp. Indians in Colo- 129 I nies . . .382 [ Vasudeva Rao, Harihar 171 ' Spp. Queen-Empress . 233 698 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR PREKUOM Veukatapijiali, M. P. Sc. National Educa- tion . . . 454 Veiikata Rao, K. M. India and t li e (loufc.ral Election . 431 Venkata llao Gutikar Spp. Trial by Juiy . 215 Venkata Reddy, K. Spp. Military Colleges and Volunteers . 5*79 Venkatarania Naidu, C Spp. Thanks to House of Commons. . 16s Venkataratnam, G. Member I. CO.. . '^^'1 M. Water cess . . 196 „ Permanent Settle- ment . . . 275 Sc. Permanent Settle- ment . . .218 „ Poverty . . 329 Venkataratnam, M. V. Member CI. . . 331 Venkatasubba Iyer Sc. Trial by Jury . 215 Spp. C r i m i n a 1 P r o- cedure . . . 275 Venkatasubba Rao, R. Sp. S i m u 1 1 a n e o us Examinations . 190 | Venkateswai-alu, V. Sc. Permanent Settle- ment . . . 538 Vijayakumar Rose M. Police Reform . 405 Vijayaraghavachariar, C. Member R. C. . . 52 1. C. C. . 307, 330 E. C . . 332 A. I. . . . 345, 372 M. Appointment o f Gokhale as dele- gate to England . 431 „ Permanent Settle- ment . . . 456 Spp. Presidential Elec- tion . . .312 Vijavaranga Mudaliyar, C. F. C. . .2 Vinayak, Deo vide Deo Viraraghavachariar, M Member C. CO.. . 135 CO. . . 413 Attended 1st Congress . 6 Wrote a Tamil Congress Catechism . . 35 Sp. British Sessions proijosed . .116 Death . . . .447 Vishnu Moreshwar Bhide Welcomes delegates . 206 Member C. C. C. . . 135 D. V. . . 204 Vishnupada Chatterji Sp. Poverty . . 187 Vithaldas D a m o d a r d a s Thackersay M. Currency . . 360 Vithal Laxrnan Sp. South Africa . 217 Voelskar, Dr. . . . 34-9 AVacha, D. E. Member C. C. C . . 135 I. C. C. 289, 3t7,329, 413 P. L. C. . . 304 C. 1. . . 331 A. I. . . . 345, 372 S. C. M. . . . 391 Secretary Surat C. C. . 470 „ " S. C. C . 440 C. L. T. . 304 Presidential Address . 335 Witness before the Fi- nance C o m m i s- sion . . . 242 General Secretary dur- ing several years M. R e p r e s entative Councils . . 19 „ Abkari. . . 112 INDEX OF NAMKS 699 M. Sc. Spp Currency 151, 281, Militaiy Expendi- ture 152, Prostitution Indian Mints Cotton Excise duty 184, 221, Civil and Military expenditure . I) e p u t a t i on to Viceroy Death of Queeii- Enipress, etc. Homage to t lie Crown . Death of Ranade . Omnibus Employment o f Indians Thanks to B. C. . Expenditure Military Expendi- ture 12, Abkari . Salt-Tax Presidential Elec- tion 142, , Ideal of Relf-Go- 296 256 169 173 363 214 318 338 338 338 350 379 406 537 195 81 113 511 Sc. Indians in Coloni- es ... to Lord 44S vernment 556 1 )) High Prices 501 Reuniting of Ben- „ gal .. . Presidential Elec- 533 „ t tion 292 Sp Military Expendi- " ture 126 ,J Exchange C o m- " pensation allow- ance 175 " V'adia, H. A. „ M. Military expendi- ture outside Fron- " tier 216 Military expendi ture 424 Westland Spp. Thanks Keay . . .90 Sp. Repressive meas- ures . . . 428 Wadia, N. A. M. Tibetan Attairs . 404 Wahab-ud-din Spp. Indian Councils Act . . .146 Wallace .... 253 Webb, Alfred Presidential Address . 183 Member I. C. C. . 329 M. Congress Consti- tution . . . 197 South Africa . 197 Wedderburn, Sir William Presidential A d d r o s s 77, 78, 511 Recipient of Thanks of Congress . . . 140 Member I. C. C. . . 329 B. C. . . 94 Visitor 20th Congress . 394 President D. H . . 521 M. Delegation to Eug- land! . . . 402 Death of Edward VII .. . 512 Homage to George V . . . . 512 Reforms in C. P., and I'anjab . . 519 Reduction of Cable rates . . .519 Simultaneous Ex- aminations . . 519 Omnibus . .519 Political Prisoners 519 Amendments t o Constitution rules 519 All India C. C. . 519 . 214 700 HOW INDIA WKOUGHT 1"0R FREEDOM White, D. S. So. Siiuultaueous Ex- am inatious . Wilberforce Wilson, Sir Roland, K. Yajnik, J. U. M. Thanks to Lord Reay Yatindranath Choudhuri Member I. CO.. M. Agriculture . Sc. Provincial Finance ,, Omnibus Younghusband Yule, George Member B. C. C. R. E 95, Presidential Address . 11 534 303 89 330 343 234 302 217 94 120 59 Sc. Grievances ,, Protest against Ben- gal Government's Order prohibiting Government Ser- vants from attend- ing Congress „ Death . Yusuf Hasan Spp. Presidential Elec- tion ,, Sedition Acts S]i. Council Regula- tions Zaigam-ud-Dowlah, Prince Sc. Congratulations to Queen -Empress . 112 115 143 511 517 518 233 ADDENDUM TO THE INI)J<]X Index to thk 27Tir Congress Kksoja'tions 1 All-India C o h g r c s.s Committee for 1913 . ClU 2 A p p o i n t m e n t of General Secretaries . 610 3 Constitution of the Congress . . . 609 M. R. N Miiilliolkar 6l)3 4 Council Regulations and Amendments . . 606 M. S. Sinha . . 601 Sc. Dwarkanath . 601 Spp. C. Y. Cliintamaui 60l „ A. S. K r i s h n a Rao . . .601 „ G o k a r a n n a th Misra . . . 6ol ,, R a m b h u j Dutt Choudhuri . . 6ul „ S u r e n d r a n ath Mallick. . .601 „ Tej Bahadur Sapru 60 1 5 Education . . . 608 M. Sachindra Prasad Bose . . . 602 Sc. C. P Rama- swami Iyer. . 602 Spp. R. C. Ghoso . 602 „ A. B. Patro . 602 ,, Ramanbhai Mahi- patram . . 602 6 Executive Councils for Panjab and U.P. . . 607 M. Motilal Nehru . 601 Sc. Chail Bihari Lai . . . 601 7 Grief and Indignation of the Congress at the Delhi outrage on Lord Hardinge . . . 604 M. Surendranath Ban- ner ji . . .598 Sc. D. E. AYacha . 598 Spp. Krishna Sahai . 598 „ Lala LajpatRai . 598 „ Madan M o li a n Malaviya . . 598 „ N. Subba Rao . 598 ,, Syed Muhammad Ismail . . 598 8 Grief for the death of A, O. Hume . . 604 M. B h u p e udi-anatli Basu . . . 598 Sc. Pt. Motilal . . 598 9 High Courts . . 609 M. R. N. Mudholkar . 603 10 Land Settlement . . 609 M. R. N. Mudh(,lkar . 603 11 Law Membership. . 6u8 M. R. N. Mudholkar . 602 702 HOW INDIA WROlMiHT FOR KRKKDOM 12 Locul Sclf-Governnieut M, S. V. Narasiniha Ra(, . Sc. N. A. Dravid Spp. Arikshau Sinha 13 MiMT,^RY Service for Indians M. C. V. S. Nara - siuha Raj Sc. Prakasa Rao 14 Next Session of the Congress 15 Provincial Autououiy. M. Sureiidranath Bannerji Sc. D. A. khare Spp. Shaslianka Ji\an Roy 16 Public Expenditure M. R. N. Mudholkar. 17 Public Service Comtnis- sion .... M. N. Subba Rao Sc. Baikunthanath Sen Spp. D. G. Dalvai ,, Dwarkanath „ Gr o ka r a n n a t h Misra ,, Hirdiiyanath Kun- zru ,, Nilaratan Sircar . „ R. Ranjit Singh . ,, B. Sai'badhikari . 18 Sanitation . M. G. K. Devadhar . Sc. Ranjit Singh 19 Separate J]lectorates . M. B. N. Mudholkar . 20 South AfricanGi'ievanc- es. . . . G. K. Gokhale . Madan Mohan Malaviya C. Y. Chintamani H a r i s c h a n dra Bishandas . 606 „ Kedarnath . 599 „ Lala Lajpat Rai 599 600 „ Madanjit 599 600 „ Mazarhal Haque 599 600 „ Pramatnath Ban- nerji 599 609 21 Swadeshi 606 M. Sc. Spp, 603 603 610 606 601 600 601 609 6(3 605 599 599 599 599 599 599 599 599 599 608 602 602 607 602 604 599 599 599 599 M. A m b i k a c h aran Mozumdar . , 600 Sc. V. V. Jogiah , . 600 22 Thanks to the British Committee which is to be maintained as well as India . . . 608 23 Thanks to Mr. G. K. Gokhale . . 608 M. T e j li a li a d u r Sapru . . , 603 Sc. Krishna Sahai . 603 24 Thanks to Government for establishing Legis- lative Councils for C.P. and Assam . . . 608 M. K. A. Mundle . 602 Sc. G. N. Kane . 602 GENERAL INDEX Delegates and Visitors to the Bankipur Congress . 595 Morley's (Lord) view of the Village Panchayat sys- tem. . " . . 600 Peculiarities of the Con- gress Pavilion at Banki- pur ..... 595 Recital of a poem on Unity between the Hindus and the Muslims . . . 598 Telegram to the Viceroy on the Delhi outrage . 598 Telegram from the Viceroy in acknowledgment . 598 INDEX 703 INDEX OF NAMES Ambikacharan Mozumdar M. Swadeshi . . 600 Sc. Presidential Elec- tion . . . 596 Arikishan Sinha S])p. Local Self- ^Gov- ernment . . 600 Baikunthanath Sen Sc. Public S e r \- i c e f!:rievances . . 5"9 Bayley, Sir Charles . 596 Bhupendranath Basu M. Grief for death of A Hume . . 598 Bose, Sachindra Prasad vide Sa Chail Bihari Lal Sc. Executive Council for Panjab and U. P. . . . 601 Chintamani, C. Y. Spp. South African grievances . . 599 Crewe, Lord . . .601 Dalvi, D. G. Spp. Public Service Commission . 599 Devadhar, G. K. M. Sanitation . . 602 Dravid, N. A. Sc. Local S e 1 f- (loveniment . 600 Dwarkanath Sc. Council R e g u 1 a- tions and Amend- ments . . . 601 Spp. Public Service Commission . . 600 Ghose, R. C. Spp. Education . . 602 Gokarannath Spp. Public Service Grievances . .599 ,, Council R e g u 1 a- tions and Amend- ments . . . 601 Gokhalo G. K. M . South African Grievances . . 599 Sc. Presidential Elec- tion . . .596 II A RISCH AXDRA BiSHA N IJA S Sp]). South A f r i c a n Grievances . . 599 Harikishan Lal Sc. Presidential Elec- tion . . . 596 Hasan Inunn Invites Congress t o Bankipur . . . 595 Hirda^anath Mozumdar Spp. Public S e r v i c e Commission. . 529 JOGIAH, V. V. Sc. Swadeshi. . . 600 Kane, G. N. Sc. Thanks to Govern- ment for Estab- lishing Legislative Council for C. P. and Assam . . 602 Kedaruatli Spp. South African Grie- vances. . . 599 Khare, D. A. Sc. Provincial Auoto- nomy , . .601 Krishna Rao, A. S. Spp. Couucil Regula- tions and Amend- ments . . 601 Krishna Sahay Sc. Thanks t o M r. (iokhale. . . 603 Lala Lajpat Rai Sp-. Grief at Delhi Outrage . . 598 „ South African Gi-ievances . . 599 704 HOW INDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Ma DAN JIT Spp. South African Grievances . Madan Mohan Malaviya Sc. Presidential" Elec- tion Mnharaja-Kuniar of Tikari Sc. Presidential Elec- tion Mazarhal Hacpie Delivers Presidential Address Spp. South A f r i c a n fii-ievances Meston, Sir James Motilal, Pandit Sc. Grief for the death of A. <). Huine Motilal Nehru M. Executive Council for Pan jab a n d U. P. . Morley, Lord Mudholkar, R. N. Delivers Presidential Address M. Constitution o f Congress „ High Courts „ Land Settlement . ,, Law Membership ,, Public expenditure „ Separate Electo- rates Mundle, R. A. M. Thanks to Govorn- nient for giving Legislative Coun- cils for C. P. and Assam Nauasimi'A Raj, C. V. S. M. Military Service for Indians . Narasimha Rao, S. V. M. Local Self-Govern- ment . 51)0 5i)6 596 599 596 59S 601 600 596 Nilratan Sircar Spp. P Ti 1) 1 i c Service Commission . . 599 Patko, a. B. Spp. Education . . 602 Prakasa Rao Sc. Military Service for Indians . . 603 Pramathanath Bannerji Spp. South African Grievances . . 599 RambhujDuit Choudhuri Spp. Education . . 602 Ramaswami Iyer, C. P. Sc. Education . . 602 Ranjit Singh, R. Sc. Sanitation . . 6o2 Spp. Public S e r V i ce Commission . . 599 ,, Council Re gu - lations and Amend- ments . . . 601 Ripon, Lord . . . 606 Sachindra Prasad Bose M. Education . . 602 Sarbadhicari, Dr. S]3p. Public Service 603 Grievances . 599 603 Shashanka Jivan Roy 603 Spp. Provincial A u t o- 602 Homy . 601 603 Sinha, S. 602 M. Council RegiUa- t i o n s and Amendments 601 Subba Rao, N. M. Public Service Commission. 599 602 Sc. Presidential elec- tion 596 Surendranath Bannerji 603 M Presidential El e c- tion 596 ,, Grief for Delhi 600 outrage. 598 INDEX 705 PAGE M. Provincial Auto- nomy . . . 601 Sui-enrlranath Mallick Spp. Council R e gu la- tions and Amend- ments . . . 601 PAGE Te.i Bahadur Sapru M. Thanks to Go- khale . . .603 Wacha, D. E. Sc. Grief for Delhi outrage. . . 598 BIBLIOGRAPHY TO INTRODUCTION Title Author Publishers Prosperous British India Poverty and Un- British Rule in India Economic History of British India William Digby Dadabhai Naoroji Romesh Chandra Dutt Government of India i S i r Courtenay Law of Municipal Corporations in British India Iniijerial Gazetteer of India, Vols. II and IV New India Indian National Congress Speeches of G. K. Gokhale The Struggle between the Mahrattas and the Mosrals A Brief History of the Indian People The Indian Empire, Its People, History, and Products Ilbert P. Durais warn i Iyengar H. J. S. Cotton Mukund Waman- rao Burway W. W. Hunter iT. Fisher Unwin, London Swan Sonnen- schein, London Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., London Clarendon Press, Oxford Guardian Press, Madras Clarendon Press, Oxford Kegan Paul Trench & Co. G. A. Natesan & Co., Madras Printed at The T a t V a-Vi v e- chaka Press, Bombay Morrison & Gibb, Edinburerh Sir William Wil- I W. H. Allen & Co. son Hunter ! Ltd., London 708 HOW IKDIA WROUGHT FOR FREEDOM Title Author Publishers Travels and Travellers in India, A.i). 1400^- 1700 Progress of the Madras Presidency during the last forty years of British Adminis- tration India. Forty years of progress and reform: being a sketch of the life and times of Behramji M. Mala- bari India and Her People Kise of the Maratha Power ' The Arya Samaj " : An account of its aims, doctrine and activities with a biographical Sketch of the Pounder A History of Civilis- ation of Ancient India in 2 Vols. [Baaed on Samskrit Literature.] (B.C. 2000 to 320.) (B.C. 320 tn A.I). 1000.) An Essay on the Civilisation of India, Chiiui and Japan Edward F a r 1 a y Oaten Dewan Bahadur S. Srinivasa Raghavaiyangar R. P. Karakaria Swanii nand Abheda- M. G. Ranade Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubnsr & Co., London Printed by the Supt., Govt. Press, Madras Henry Frowde. O.xford Univer- s i t y Press, Warehouse, London, E. C. The V e d a n t a Society, New York Punalekar & Co., Lajpat Rai Romesh Chandra Uutt G. Lowes son Dickin- Bombay Longmans, Green &Co. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd. J. M. Dent I Sous, Ltd. &\ 1914 BIBLIOGRAPHY TO INTRODUCTION 709 Title Author Publishers Date Voyages de Bemier Fran(;ois Bernier Paul Marret Ams- terdam 1699 Tavernier's Travels in India (origin a 1 1 y published in French Jean B a p t i s t e Bangabasi Office, in 1676) Tavemier Calcutta 1905 Early History of India (including Alexan- Clarendon Press, der's campaigns) Vincent A. Smith Oxford 1908 History of Indian Shipping and Mari- tinift Activity from Radhakumud Longmans, Green the earliest times Mookerji & Co., London 1912 Critical and Historical Longmans, Green, Essays in 2 Vols. Lord Macaulay Long mans Roberts & Green, London 1864 Manual of the Ad- ministration of the Printed at the 1885 Madras Presidency Govt. Press, & in B Vols. Madras 1893 The Imperial Gazet- Published under teer of India : Vol. II the Authority Historical, Vol. IV of His Majesty's Administration Secretary o f 1907 State for India Clarendon Press, & in Council Oxford 1908 Children of the Annie Besant and The Board o f Motherland others Trustees, Cen- tral Hindu College, Bena- 1906 res Indian Unrest lir Valentine I Macmil Ian & Co., Chirol London ERRATA Page Line For Read XL VI 11 from top Suraj Suja Lr 5 from bottom Imperial The Viceroy's Council Council 157 5 from top IV III >} 6 ;> V IV 278 5 from bottom IX X j> 2 >} X XI 320 2 }> XIII XXIII 360 11 }} VI VII 362 11 from top Amhalal Ambalal ,dt) 5 }} XV XVI 406 8 .'> XVI XVII 501 11 5> XVIII XX }} 22 3" XIX read Settlement, Permanent XXI 23 From " Resolution XX " to end of line 24— to be deleted. 603 8 from bottom XXIII XXl 6 „ XXII XXIII Printed by Annie Besant at Tlie Vasanta Press, Adyar, -Madras. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 880 454 4