THE HOLY LAND OF THE EAST 275 



ancient capitals. It is to be the seat of the 

 Government of India. It has to convey the idea 

 of a peaceful domination and a dignified rule 

 over the traditions and life of India by the British 

 Raj." 



But whoever its designers may be, however 

 eloquent of the genius of individual Englishmen 

 its plans may be, this last Delhi, like all its pre- 

 decessors, will be built by Indian workmen. 

 Ideas of " peaceful domination " or " dignified 

 rule " are but a poor exchange for Indian religious 

 feeling, for the deep traditional reverence of 

 Indians for their Emperor. 



The material advantages of our good govern- 

 ment — peace, laws justly administered, educa- 

 tion, sanitation, hospitals, even the fairyland of 

 European science — Cleave the mass of India cold. 

 But the return to the ancient capital commanded 

 by the Emperor in person, made a direct appeal to 

 Indian imagination and loyalty. The old Indian 

 ideal of unity, — in bharata, the Holy Land, — 

 revived and personified by their King-Emperor, 

 touched the humblest peasant, and rekindled 

 the long latent fires of Indian nationality. 

 Here lies the great opportunity of New Delhi, for 

 the motive that can really move and lead India 



