White Man's Burden

This essay looks at the colonies of western powers, especially India, and also the manner in which its history was written and is being rewritten. In the works of history written by colonial powers, the word, 'colony', did not figure. Also most works by colonial historians downplay landmark events. At the same time, readers remain unaware of the epochal events of 1858, when by a parliamentary enactment Britain created an all-powerful secretary of state, independent of the British Parliament, governing India in the name of the queen. This Act made the entire Indian top executive subordinate to the 'home government'. The new dispensation under the secretary of state, based in London, also decided on most matters pertaining to India. It is time scholars begin to think more on the period between August 2, 1858 when this Act came into force and August 15, 1947, when the country became independent.