DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49382#0289
CHAP T E K IX.
THE EFFECT OF THE WAR ON INDIA.
During its last century of contact with the energetic civilization
of the West there has been an amount of strenuous endeavour in
India that has almost belied the state of comparative lethargy and
easy-going methods that prevailed in this country prior to the period
mentioned. It is no exaggeration to say that there has been an
Indian Renaissance, widespread in its range, profound in its
inspiration and rich in the fruit it has borne. The movement is
increasing in vitality every decade and many a milestone of progress
is being rapidly passed.
Among the events which have, from time to time, imparted
powerful impulses to this movement must be counted the recent
war. Paradoxical as it may appear, a war, with all the destruction
and carnage it inflicts on humanity, draws forth the latent powers
of a people as well as the potential resources of a country and is
often responsible for a glorious rejuvenation, side by side with
ruinous bankruptcy in certain directions. That has been exactly
the way in which the war has affected India, which was drawn into
the vortex of the warring nations of the West, though her own
shores were left free of the dreadful activities of battling’ armies
and navies. The meteoric course of the “ Emden” was responsible
for the sinking of a few ships and the bombardment of a few
defenceless ports, but otherwise the destructive elements of war
were nowhere to be found in this land. But throughout there was
a strong element of activity calling forth the resources of India
to the fullest extent, in aid of the great cause of civilization which
was being threatened in Euiwe and, indirectly, all over the world,
THE EFFECT OF THE WAR ON INDIA.
During its last century of contact with the energetic civilization
of the West there has been an amount of strenuous endeavour in
India that has almost belied the state of comparative lethargy and
easy-going methods that prevailed in this country prior to the period
mentioned. It is no exaggeration to say that there has been an
Indian Renaissance, widespread in its range, profound in its
inspiration and rich in the fruit it has borne. The movement is
increasing in vitality every decade and many a milestone of progress
is being rapidly passed.
Among the events which have, from time to time, imparted
powerful impulses to this movement must be counted the recent
war. Paradoxical as it may appear, a war, with all the destruction
and carnage it inflicts on humanity, draws forth the latent powers
of a people as well as the potential resources of a country and is
often responsible for a glorious rejuvenation, side by side with
ruinous bankruptcy in certain directions. That has been exactly
the way in which the war has affected India, which was drawn into
the vortex of the warring nations of the West, though her own
shores were left free of the dreadful activities of battling’ armies
and navies. The meteoric course of the “ Emden” was responsible
for the sinking of a few ships and the bombardment of a few
defenceless ports, but otherwise the destructive elements of war
were nowhere to be found in this land. But throughout there was
a strong element of activity calling forth the resources of India
to the fullest extent, in aid of the great cause of civilization which
was being threatened in Euiwe and, indirectly, all over the world,