In a 1909 essay titled, âThe place of India in the Empireâ, the former British Viceroy, Lord Curzon of Kedleston writes, âIt is obvious, indeed that the master of India, must, under modern conditions, be the greatest power in the Asiatic Continent, and therefore, it may be added, in the world. The central portion of India, its magnificent resources, its teeming multitude of men, its great trading harbours, its reserve of military strength, supplying an army always in a high state of efficiency, and capable of being hurled at a momentâs notice upon any point either of Asia or Africa.
All these are assets of precious value. On the West, India must exercise a predominant influence over the destinies of Persia and Afghanistan. <span style='color:red'>On the North, it can veto any rival in Tibet; on the North-East and East it can exert great pressure upon China, and it is one of the guardians of the autonomous existence of Suam. </span>On the high seas it commands the routes to Australia, and to the China Sea.â Of course, it was in British Indiaâs interest to arm India militarily to protect their trading routes.
Nonetheless, this statement reflects upon the dream of patriotic Indians, who have long desired a more assertive India. However, this legacy of imperialist Anglo-Saxon tradition was not followed by an Independent India believing in the principles of non-violence and non-alignment.
All these are assets of precious value. On the West, India must exercise a predominant influence over the destinies of Persia and Afghanistan. <span style='color:red'>On the North, it can veto any rival in Tibet; on the North-East and East it can exert great pressure upon China, and it is one of the guardians of the autonomous existence of Suam. </span>On the high seas it commands the routes to Australia, and to the China Sea.â Of course, it was in British Indiaâs interest to arm India militarily to protect their trading routes.
Nonetheless, this statement reflects upon the dream of patriotic Indians, who have long desired a more assertive India. However, this legacy of imperialist Anglo-Saxon tradition was not followed by an Independent India believing in the principles of non-violence and non-alignment.