Resignation of Curzon and Arrival of Lord Minto (1905)

The resignation of Lord Curzon in 1905 and the subsequent arrival of Lord Minto (1905–1910) as the new Viceroy of India marked a critical turning point in the history of British India. This transition symbolised not only a change in administrative leadership but also a shift in the political climate of the subcontinent. Curzon’s controversial policies had sparked widespread discontent, culminating in the Partition of Bengal (1905), while Minto’s tenure witnessed the emergence of organised political agitation and constitutional reforms.

Background: Lord Curzon’s Administration (1899–1905)

Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, one of the most assertive and intellectually brilliant viceroys, governed India from 1899 to 1905. His administration was marked by a strong sense of imperial authority, administrative reform, and centralisation. Curzon’s policy aimed at strengthening British control over India, but his autocratic style and controversial measures alienated many sections of Indian society and even British officials.
Major policies and actions of Lord Curzon included:

1. Partition of Bengal (1905):
   • Announced on 16 October 1905, Curzon divided Bengal into two provinces—Bengal (Western Bengal) and Eastern Bengal and Assam—ostensibly for administrative convenience.
   • However, the move was widely perceived as an attempt to weaken the growing nationalist movement by dividing Hindus and Muslims.
   • The decision provoked immense opposition and became a catalyst for the Swadeshi Movement, marking a new phase of Indian nationalism.
2. University Act (1904):
   • Tightened government control over Indian universities and restricted academic freedom.
   • Indian intellectuals viewed it as an attempt to curb nationalist ideas spreading among educated youth.
3. Police and Military Reforms:
   • Curzon strengthened the police system and established the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in 1901.
   • His reforms were aimed at consolidating imperial defence and curbing tribal uprisings.
4. Conservation and Cultural Policies:
   • Founded the Archaeological Survey of India and promoted the preservation of historical monuments, reflecting his interest in India’s heritage.
5. Disaster Management and Irrigation:
   • Dealt with severe famines and earthquakes, but his measures were criticised as inadequate and bureaucratic.
6. Imperial Pride and Control:
   • Curzon was a staunch imperialist who believed in the superiority of British rule and often dismissed Indian political aspirations.
   • His authoritarian approach caused friction with Indian leaders, British liberals, and even his subordinates.

The Immediate Cause of Resignation: Dispute with the Commander-in-Chief

The immediate cause of Curzon’s resignation was his conflict with Lord Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

• Curzon sought to reorganise the Indian Army’s administration by reducing the military’s autonomy and placing it under civil control.
• Kitchener, however, insisted on maintaining military independence and objected to the post of Military Member of the Viceroy’s Council, which acted as an intermediary between the army and the government.
• The dispute became intense and public, dividing opinion within the British establishment.

The British Government in London, under Prime Minister Arthur Balfour, supported Kitchener over Curzon. Feeling humiliated and unsupported, Curzon resigned in August 1905 and returned to England.

Reaction and Impact of Curzon’s Resignation

1. In Britain:
   • Curzon’s resignation stirred a debate in Parliament and the press. Many admired his intellect and administrative talent but criticised his arrogance and inflexibility.
   • His later career saw him serve in the British Cabinet and play a key role in post–World War I diplomacy.
2. In India:
   • Curzon’s departure was viewed with mixed emotions.
   • Nationalists celebrated it as a moral victory, believing that public resistance to his policies, particularly the Partition of Bengal, had contributed to his downfall.
   • However, his departure did not reverse the partition; the British government reaffirmed the decision, deepening Indian resentment.
3. Administrative Continuity:
   • Despite Curzon’s exit, his centralising reforms, emphasis on efficiency, and rigid control remained influential in the Indian bureaucracy.

Arrival of Lord Minto (1905)

Lord Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, succeeded Curzon as Viceroy of India in November 1905. His tenure (1905–1910) coincided with a period of political awakening and intense nationalist agitation.
Lord Minto inherited a politically turbulent India marked by the aftershocks of the Partition of Bengal and the rise of extremist nationalism.

Political Conditions During Minto’s Arrival

1. Swadeshi and Boycott Movements:
   • The Partition of Bengal had ignited a powerful movement of Swadeshi (self-reliance) and Boycott of British goods.
   • The movement spread rapidly across Bengal and other parts of India, mobilising students, intellectuals, and middle-class urban groups.
2. Division within the Indian National Congress:
   • The Congress was deeply divided between Moderates (like Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and Extremists (like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal).
   • Minto’s government exploited this division to weaken the nationalist cause.
3. Rise of Revolutionary Activities:
   • Secret societies and revolutionary groups emerged, particularly in Bengal and Maharashtra, carrying out acts of political violence against colonial officials.
4. Muslim Political Assertion:
   • The British encouraged the political organisation of Muslims to counterbalance Hindu nationalism.
   • This culminated in the foundation of the All India Muslim League in December 1906, an event supported by Minto’s administration.

Minto’s Policies and Approach

Lord Minto adopted a more conciliatory and reform-oriented policy compared to Curzon’s authoritarianism, though his ultimate aim remained the preservation of British control.

1. Conciliatory Measures:
   • Attempted to pacify moderate Indian opinion by expressing willingness to consider constitutional reforms.
   • Recognised the need for limited Indian participation in governance to prevent further unrest.
2. Morley–Minto Reforms (1909):
   • The most significant event of Minto’s tenure was the Indian Councils Act of 1909, commonly known as the Morley–Minto Reforms.
   • Proposed by John Morley, the Secretary of State for India, and implemented by Minto, the reforms:
     • Expanded the Legislative Councils at both central and provincial levels.
     • Introduced Indian representation through elections in these councils for the first time.
     • Granted separate electorates to Muslims, institutionalising communal representation in Indian politics.

   These reforms were intended to appease Indian aspirations but ended up sowing communal divisions that would have long-term consequences.

3. Law and Order Measures:
   • Minto’s government dealt firmly with revolutionary activities, introducing strict laws to curb sedition and suppress political dissent.
4. Relations with the Princes:
   • He maintained cordial relations with Indian princes and ensured their loyalty to the British Crown.

Comparative Analysis: Curzon and Minto

Significance of the Transition

The transition from Curzon to Minto symbolised a shift in British strategy from direct imperial assertion to controlled political concession.

• Curzon’s autocracy provoked nationalist militancy and mass agitation.
• Minto’s partial reforms marked the beginning of constitutional politics in India, paving the way for future legislative reforms (1919 and 1935).