DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49382#0290
17 4
CHAPTER IX.
by the military empires of Germany and Austria. Warriors marched
forth in streams from their simple wayside villages to fight on
foreign soil, far away from their home. The people were thrilled
with new ideas of liberty and aspiration for a more spacious national
life. There were efforts in every direction to mobilise all the
material resources of the land and "the wharf of many a port bore
silent witness to work in this direction, by the piles of packages
piled up for transport to the theatres of war. The exercise of
national faculties in so many directions was bound to leave its
impress on the minds and character of the people and also help in the
reconstruction of the land, so as to make her a worthier member of
the sisterhood of peoples in the world.
It has been said of many a powerful personality in the realms
of biography that he rose one morning and found himself famous.
Such sudden recognition of importance is naturally rare in the case
of nations, as their rise is largely a matter of slow development and
has to be general, before there can be such increased esteem in the
world. The four years of the European War from 1914 to 1918
have, however, been a period of momentous import for India, and the
war has left her with her reputation higher in the British Empire
and among the peoples of the world. Not that she did not command
any respect in the West before this cataclysmal outburst. But it
was merely in the direction of a benevolent and indulgent praise of
her ancient civilization and her wonderful contributions to the
literature and philosophy of the world. As a modern power of any
influence and importance, she was unknown.
The war has changed the situation to a very great degree, for
have not Indian soldiers displayed their valour on the battlefields
of Europe and has not India shown unsurpassed loyalty and devotion
to the Throne ami the cause of civilization. The wilds of Africa,
the deserts of Sinai, and the ancient cities of Asia Minor have borne
■witness to the sacrifice and heroism of the former:—
Gathered like pearls in their alien graves,
Silent they sleep by the Persian waves ;
CHAPTER IX.
by the military empires of Germany and Austria. Warriors marched
forth in streams from their simple wayside villages to fight on
foreign soil, far away from their home. The people were thrilled
with new ideas of liberty and aspiration for a more spacious national
life. There were efforts in every direction to mobilise all the
material resources of the land and "the wharf of many a port bore
silent witness to work in this direction, by the piles of packages
piled up for transport to the theatres of war. The exercise of
national faculties in so many directions was bound to leave its
impress on the minds and character of the people and also help in the
reconstruction of the land, so as to make her a worthier member of
the sisterhood of peoples in the world.
It has been said of many a powerful personality in the realms
of biography that he rose one morning and found himself famous.
Such sudden recognition of importance is naturally rare in the case
of nations, as their rise is largely a matter of slow development and
has to be general, before there can be such increased esteem in the
world. The four years of the European War from 1914 to 1918
have, however, been a period of momentous import for India, and the
war has left her with her reputation higher in the British Empire
and among the peoples of the world. Not that she did not command
any respect in the West before this cataclysmal outburst. But it
was merely in the direction of a benevolent and indulgent praise of
her ancient civilization and her wonderful contributions to the
literature and philosophy of the world. As a modern power of any
influence and importance, she was unknown.
The war has changed the situation to a very great degree, for
have not Indian soldiers displayed their valour on the battlefields
of Europe and has not India shown unsurpassed loyalty and devotion
to the Throne ami the cause of civilization. The wilds of Africa,
the deserts of Sinai, and the ancient cities of Asia Minor have borne
■witness to the sacrifice and heroism of the former:—
Gathered like pearls in their alien graves,
Silent they sleep by the Persian waves ;