Lord Curzon

WHY IN NEWS?

Bengal Governor Tweets about “Iconic” Lord Curzon Table. The table was apparently used by Lord Curzon to sign papers pertaining to the Partition of Bengal in 1905.

ABOUT LORD CURZON

• Lord Curzon served as Governor General and Viceroy of India from 6 January 1899 to 18 November 1905.
• Important events during his tenure include Famine of 1899-1900 {Chappania Akal}, Appointment of Famine Commission {under Sir Anthony McDonnell}, Commission on Irrigation {under Colin Scott Moncrieff}, Police Commission {under Andrew Frazer},
• Education Commission {aka Raleigh Commission}, enactment of Indian Universities Act, 1904, Land Resolution of 1902, Punjab Land Alienation Act 1900, Establishment of Imperial Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, Industry; Indian Coinage and Paper Currency Act, 1899; establishment of a training college for army officers at Quetta; Calcutta Corporation Act, 1899;
• Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1904; Military expedition to Tibet, Occupation of Chumby Valley and the most hated Partition of Bengal. His policy resulted in deep discontent and the upsurge of a revolutionary movement in the country, due to which he can be called most unpopular Viceroy of India. His tenure is called Curzonshahi {akin to Nadirshahi}.
• He was a true successor of Lord Dalhousie. He was great imperialist, authoritarian in temperament, ruthless in his ways and wanted to achieve too much at too great pace.
• The time of his governorship (1899-1905), was the formative phase of Indian national movement. Thus he tried to strangulate Indian nationalism and freedom movement by all fair and foul means.
• Curzon by his impolitic utterances and imperialist designs brought political unrest in India to a bursting point. Curzon’s imperialistic policies provoked reaction which in turn stung political life in India. Out of his tyranny was born a stronger sense of nationhood. Taken in this light Curzon proved to be a benefactor of India without intending to do so.

Prelims Question

Q. Which among the following Acts were brought by Lord Curzon:

1.Indian Universities Act
2.Ancient Monuments Protection Act
3.Indian Coinage and Paper Currency Act

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 and2
b)1 only
c)2 and 3
d)All of the above

Answer to the Prelims Queston