64 



SIR ANDREW WINGATE, K.C.I.E., ON INDIA. 



industries and mines developing, and latterly the bolder invest- 

 ment of Indian capital, such as the action of the Mysore State 

 in transmitting power generated by the Kaveri Kiver to the 

 Kolar gold mines, or of the Tata family in using water collected 

 on the Western Ghats to run the cotton mills and trams of 

 Bombay. 



Not only has the face of material India been changed, but 

 there are evidences of a remarkable revolution in moral character 

 and even in spiritual conceptions. The Indian subordinate 

 service is establishing a reputation for truth and incorruptibility. 

 The freedom of communications, the public press, education, the 

 common English language, the uniform ideals of the public 

 services, the solicitude in seasons of widespread calamity, a 

 imiversal penal code : these, among other factors, have been 

 teaching the many races of India that they live on one continent 

 under one Government. That Brahraans should first catch the 

 sentiment of nationality is natural. Spread over India and 

 separated by vernaculars, they feel now united as they have not 

 been for a thousand years, though still fissured by quasi-castes. 

 It is natural, too, tha.t ambitions should stir their imagination. 

 The Great War suddenly evoked fellowship betvveen other races, 

 and seems to be bringing to the surface a fuller recognition that 

 there is one God and Father of us all. These undercurrents of 

 thought unexpectedly find expression. For instance, at the 

 last National Congress the Chairman requested the assembly — 

 consisting of Indians of all castes and creeds — to stand in silent 

 prayer for the soul of a lad killed at Amritsar. 



The war has done more. The services rendered to the Empire 

 have entitled India to be admitted a welcome unit of the British 

 Commonwealth, vv^ith an important place in international affairs, 

 and as a corollary India subjects herself to win the good opinion 

 of the world. Commenting on Aurangzeb's long reign, Dr. V. 

 Smith remarks, " his sons, benumbed by the crushing weight 

 of parental control, lost all capacity for government." This 

 concisely gives the reason why it was essential to seize this unique 

 moment to give a substantial share in their own government to 

 a selected electorate. No one can forget how recently order 

 has been imposed on untamed passions, or that Brahmans and 

 Mohammedans have failed to make anything of unfettered oppor- 

 tunities in the past. What has been the secret of British success 

 with the same materials ? Behind force there has been love, 

 instead of coveteousness there has been striving for righteousness. 



