The Last Of The British Moghuls.
The author is clearly a strong supporter of Indian nationalism. As a result the first half of the book covers Curzon's early life and the other half is devoted to his time as Viceroy. His political career before and after his 7 years as Viceroy is virtually ignored. The main aim of the book seems to be to suggest that the effects of his upbringing and schooling especially his time in the English public school system created some sort of deviant human being which manifested itself in his time as Viceroy.
The book also devotes a lot of space to describing the advent of some very marginal Indian resistance movements while almost ignoring Curzon's well known struggle with Kitchener for control of the Indian army. In fact one could be forgiven for assuming after reading this book that Indian independence took place because of Curzon's performance as Viceroy and indeed only a couple of years later rather than over 40 years later.
I am sure that this book's version of history will appeal to some but I am not one of them. I have no doubt that Curzon, like all people, had flaws, but some of the suggestions alluded to in this book are really ridiculous. This is not a real autobiography of a significant politician of the late 19th and early 20th century but rather a politically motivated hatchet job designed to strengthen the view that the British Raj in India was operated by sociopaths and was therefore very bad with no redeeming features at all.
Like many people I take the view that the Raj had both good and bad elements. However at the time it seemed like a good idea and I just do not believe that it is reasonable to apply today's perspectives to those of the past. It is certainly not fair to paint such a distinguished statesman as some sort of monster just to support a radical political theory.
As I do not believe in destroying any book under any circumstances this book will be donated to a charity shop as quickly as possible.
Perhaps Jawaharlal Nehru ought to have a word on Viceroy Curzon: "After every other Viceroy has been forgotten, Curzon will be remembered because he restored all that was beautiful in India."
ReplyDeleteHi Ion....Well said...I had forgotten that remark which I have read elsewhere. I recall that Curzon was heavily committed to rebuilding many grand structures in India including even the Taj I think. The book in question made no mention of that aspect of Curzon whatsoever. The human ability to twist history to suit radical ideas never ceases to amaze and disturb me. Regards.
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