ARTICLE: A Blast From the Past

Ferreting about in an antiques market last week I came across a little green booklet. Turns out that it was a guide for British soldiers posted to India and it was dated 1940, just a few years before partition. Grabbed it, obviously, because what better rabbit hole for a Monday morning than the party line rolled out to servicemen in the middle of a war? How did the Government want people to view India, her people, and it’s impact on the subcontinent up to that point?

First thing, there was a price on the front, so perhaps this wasn’t issued to everyone, and it was merely available for those who wanted to part with a sixpence in order to own one. Second, what was the point? That, was covered in the opening chapter, which provided an overview of ‘Our’ Indian Empire:

‘Everyone going abroad will find it a great advantage to learn beforehand something about the people likely to be met in the new land; the climate there, and the best way to adapt oneself to the new surroundings. The soldier should also try and appreciate at his true value the fighting man of the country. This is of especial importance in India, where Britons and Indians are liable to fight side by side.’

The booklet goes on to give a lengthy introduction to ‘India’, which at the time also comprised other modern-day countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh etc.

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One thing that as really useful about it, was the explanation about distinctions within India about what was controlled by the British, and what technically wasn’t. This is pretty crucial for understanding the different responses throughout India on the outbreak of either war. Yes, there was an Indian Army, and yes, India was a part of the British Empire, but parts of the country were also under the control of various princes. This is how the booklet lays it out:

‘The one peculiar feature of our rule in this vast subcontinent is so little understood by the stay-at-home Englishman that it may, with advantage, be mentioned before turning to matters which are perhaps of more direct military interest. The Indian states occupy altogether about one-third of the total area of the peninsula, and over a quarter of the population of the Empire reside within their borders. They vary in extent from the great States of Hyderabad and Kashmir, each of which is nearly equal in size to Great Britain, down to little domains of a few square miles in area only. Big or small, however, their internal affairs are not interfered with except in so far as it is necessary to retain some slight control over legislation and action as might involve imperial interests.

The rulers of these states make their own laws, appoint their own officers and judges, maintain their own troops and fix their own taxes - in short they are the actual masters within their own territories.’

Here’s how they managed to wield this power. And yes, some of this is about to be uncomfortable reading from our seats in the 21st Century…

‘They have been entrusted with great power and years of steadfast loyalty have proved that this confidence is fully justified. During the dark days of the Mutiny, the ancestors of all the present princes and chiefs remained loyal to our cause and did what lay in their power to keep the people under them quiet and law-abiding. Some of them… gave valuable help by sending contingents of their own forces. In the immediate past, most of the rulers of the richer states maintained at their own expense state forces to aid in the defence of the country and the upholding of national honour thus showing in practical form their desire for the maintenance of British authority. During the Great War these state forces distinguished themselves on almost every battle front; and today there is no ruling prince of chief in all India who has not given evidence of his unswerving loyalty to the Crown.’

Yep. This is starting to feel grubby already. Here’s the 1940 interpretation of the Indian Mutiny, aimed at 1940 soldiers being sent to India…

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