DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9551#0125
ON SETTLEMENT IN INDIA BY EUROPEANS. *
Much has been said and written by persons in the
employ of the Hon. East Indian Company and others on
the subject of the settlement of Europeans in India, and
many various opinions have been expressed as to the
advantages and disadvantages which might attend such a
political measure. I shall here briefly and candidly state
the principal effects which, in my humble opinion, may
be expected to result from this measure.
2. I notice, first, some of the advantages that might
be derived from such a change.
Advantages.
First.—European settlers in India will introduce the
knowledge they possess of superior modes of cultivating
the soil and improving its products (in the article of sugar,
for example), as has already happened with respect to
indigo, and improvements in the mechanical arts, and in
the agricultural and commercial systems generally, by
which the natives would of course benefit.
* This is reprinted from the General Appendix to the report
from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the
affairs of the East India Company 1832, pp. 341—343. Up to
1813 the East India Company had been able to preserve their
monopoly of the trade of the East Indies intact, and Europeans
in general were prohibited from settling or trading in India.
The Charter Act of 1813 had permitted the free resort of Euro-
peans in India, but excluded them from forming any settlements
in it by the purchase or lease of lands. By the passing of the
Charter Act of 1833 all such restrictions were taken away, and
Europeans were permitted to settle in India. During the enquiry
by the Select Committee of the House of Commons the opinion of
Ram Mohun Roy on the point was sought, and it, to some extent,
strengthened the hands or the supporters of the change.-—Ed.
8
Much has been said and written by persons in the
employ of the Hon. East Indian Company and others on
the subject of the settlement of Europeans in India, and
many various opinions have been expressed as to the
advantages and disadvantages which might attend such a
political measure. I shall here briefly and candidly state
the principal effects which, in my humble opinion, may
be expected to result from this measure.
2. I notice, first, some of the advantages that might
be derived from such a change.
Advantages.
First.—European settlers in India will introduce the
knowledge they possess of superior modes of cultivating
the soil and improving its products (in the article of sugar,
for example), as has already happened with respect to
indigo, and improvements in the mechanical arts, and in
the agricultural and commercial systems generally, by
which the natives would of course benefit.
* This is reprinted from the General Appendix to the report
from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the
affairs of the East India Company 1832, pp. 341—343. Up to
1813 the East India Company had been able to preserve their
monopoly of the trade of the East Indies intact, and Europeans
in general were prohibited from settling or trading in India.
The Charter Act of 1813 had permitted the free resort of Euro-
peans in India, but excluded them from forming any settlements
in it by the purchase or lease of lands. By the passing of the
Charter Act of 1833 all such restrictions were taken away, and
Europeans were permitted to settle in India. During the enquiry
by the Select Committee of the House of Commons the opinion of
Ram Mohun Roy on the point was sought, and it, to some extent,
strengthened the hands or the supporters of the change.-—Ed.
8