By: Dipak Kurmi
The British do not observe a national birthday each year, as determining the exact start of modern Britain is complex, making them unique. For many nations, however, a national day is as essential as a national flag. Dates like July 4 and July 14 are expected to be honoured for centuries, and October 10 will be cherished by millions of future Chinese. Today, August 15, the day India marks its independence, might eventually become as revered as these other significant anniversaries, perhaps even more so. India’s national day may also have a unique distinction: while national days in many countries often commemorate illustrious but bloody events, Indians can celebrate their independence with pride, having achieved it without the extensive civil conflict that many had feared just months before.
The focus on such a day naturally shifts to the individuals whose efforts made it all possible. The history is extensive, and the early pioneers of Indian nationalism are now largely just names to the current generation. While they will be reverently remembered today, it is the events immediately preceding independence that will seem most vivid. Over time, these events will be further glorified by history; dramatic moments before significant political changes tend to overshadow those that follow, despite the valuable work done in the post-revolutionary era. Figures like Nehru, Patel, Jinnah, Jai Prakash Narain, and especially Gandhi will stand as monumental icons. Those who played a role in recent events, no matter how modest, might reflect the sentiment:
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“How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted o’er
In States – unborn and accents yet unknown!
… So oft as that shall be
So often shall the knot of us be called
The men that gave their country liberty.”
The celebration today, in India is a moment for joy, despite the overshadowing presence of famine in much of the country and the unrest in Calcutta and Punjab. It is also a time for commitment to future service. The atmosphere, though still charged, feels more like the calm after a storm than the anticipation of one. This doesn’t mean that new crises won’t emerge, perhaps even soon, and Indian leaders may need to draw on an optimism rooted in principle rather than a realistic assessment of the situation. Indians did not strive for independence under the illusion that it would be easy. They have rightfully embraced the challenge of addressing the dangers, their nation faces and have the right to seek or reject external assistance as they see fit. This determination is one that every spirited individual will commend.
Today, however, is not the moment to dwell on potential dangers. Instead, it is a time to acknowledge the strengths with which the two newly formed Indias embark on their new journey. These include the dedication of political leaders forged through twenty years of struggle, the enduring traditions of the Civil Service and Army, the country’s natural and geographical resources, its rich intellectual legacy, and a long, illustrious history that continues to inspire and empower current efforts. Additionally, India has a unique historical opportunity, if it chooses to seize it, to serve as a bridge between East and West.
Amidst all these reflections, there remains a lingering regret that India achieved its new freedom only through the process of partition. However, this regret can be transformed into a commitment by both countries to coexist harmoniously. If they succeed in living together in such unity, the outside world may continue to perceive India as a cohesive entity.
For Indians, this moment is an opportunity to reflect on both the future and the past. An English observer might also view current events not just as a fresh beginning but as the culmination of a century and a half of British involvement in India. This prompts a reconsideration of the peculiar history of the British Empire in India. As frequently noted, the British did not come to India with the primary aim of conquest but to trade. It was not their intention but rather the unfolding events that established the British Raj. The chaos in eighteenth-century India, following the decline of the Mughal Empire, compelled traders to form a local militia for their protection. As the East India Company, with its enduring corporate structure, adopted a more consistent policy than the fragmented Indian Princes, it unexpectedly found itself in a position of dominance. Its officers rose to prominence, replacing the Great Mughal. This represents a remarkable shift for a trading company. However, more significant than the origins of British power is the transformation India underwent as a result. India emerged in a fundamentally new form.
For intricate reasons, Indian society, once vibrant during the early Indian Empires, had become stagnant. However, contact with the outside world reignited a vitality and self-confidence in the Indian people that had been absent for over a millennium. With this resurgence, the political transformations now, underway became inevitable, as Great Britain lacked both the desire and capability to govern a people who had regained their will to self-rule. England never truly recognized that it was in a struggle to retain its Empire against Indian nationalism. The recent tumultuous events stemmed from the clash between the immediate demands of nationalism and the gradual pace at which a responsible power could adapt or dissolve itself, particularly during a period of social instability with potentially profound consequences.
But that is now a matter of history. The cycle has completed itself, and the British, who originally went to India as traders, now find themselves back in India solely in that capacity. Traders do have their role in society, and if India chooses to seek it, there is the potential for collaboration with not only the British nation but also the British Commonwealth, with all its organized and cooperative strength. However, the decision to pursue such cooperation rests entirely with India, not with Britain. The era of the British Raj has ended. (The author can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
