Question

Briefly explain the contribution of racial pride of the British rulers towards Indian nationalism.

Answer 1

 Racial pride of the British rulers: The British rulers maintained a deep gulf between themselves (rulers) and the subjects under them. They were proud of their blood and culture. Hence, they looked down upon the Indians as being uncultured, ignorant rustics. Indians were not allowed to travel in the same compartment in which the English people were travelling. The Indians were not allowed to use the same clubs and hotels which were visited by the English. The Arms Act of Lord Lytton declared that Indians were not allowed to keep arms without license, but the English were not required to obtain any license.
Surendra Nath Banerjee said that the Arms Act was imposed on Indian as a badge of racial inferiority. In the same way no Indian Judge was allowed to try any European offender, even if he might have committed a heinous crime. So much so that the Englishmen were let off or lightly punished even for murders and brutalities committed by them. Not only the educated people of India but also the common people felt this racial discrimination of the British against the Indians. They were filled with rage and joined the main stream of nationalism.