THE FUTURE OF INDIAN POLITICS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNDERSTANDING BY ANNIE BESANT, D. L. FELLOW OF BENARES UNIVERSITY THIS booklet is intended to offer to those interested in the fate of India and Great Britain, a picture showing the problems that India has to solve in the near future in connection with Self-Determination and Self-Government, and in her decision between solitary Independence and Partnership in a Commonwealth of Free Nations, under the British Crown. The two last chapters deal with these ; the background, necessary for the understanding and the decision of these two supreme questions, determining the future of both Nations, is painted in with care, so as to contain the vital facts, and those only, which have led to the parting of the ways, indicated in the problems. An Introduction gives "A Bird's-Eye View" of the relations between India and Britain, from their first important vi contact to the end of the East India Company Rule. "Step by Step" takes us from the first National Congress to the outbreak of the War. "A New Departure" tells of the Congress of 1914, Indians in the War, and the demand for the recognition of India as a component part of the Empire. "The Great Agitation " takes up the next two chapters, and carries us to the coming to India of the Secretary of State. "The New Spirit in India" marks the causes of her changed attitude. "The Struggle over the Reforms" tells of the Death of the Old Congress and the Reformed Legislatures. "The Revolutionary Movements" their causes and workings take us up to and through the Non-Co-Operation activity. Then follow the two last chapters. I hope that the booklet may be useful in helping the understanding of the questions involved. ANNIE BESANT |