The empire of the Raj : conflict and co-operation with Britain over the shape and function of the Indian sphere in Eastern Africa and Middle East from the 1850s to the 1930s
The western sphere of the Raj consisted of a region of Indian interest, influence and formal involvement from the Indo-Persian border to the East African coast. From the 1850s onwards, India's position was challenged by the increasing intrusion of metropolitan concerns. Despite occasional efforts by India to develop the scope of her activities, the relative importance of Imperial factors at various stations of Indian responsibility grew until, after often protracted diplomatic, bureaucratic, and fiscal negotiations, full control was assumed by Whitehall. During the nineteenth century, this process was gradual. Although Zanzibar and Somaliland had been transferred to the Foreign Office, much of the Indian sphere was still intact in 1914. Indeed, the Great War allowed India to contemplate the expansion of the sphere into Mesopotamia and East Africa. But, more generally, the conflict acted as a powerful catalyst to the advancing metropole and by 1917 no corner of the sphere was exclusively Indian in outlook. In addition, India's international status became more anomalous as a result of her membership of the Imperial Conference and the League of Nations. And, furthermore, constitutional reforms within India brought
Blyth, Robert J.
History
The empire of the Raj : conflict and co-operation with Britain over the shape and function of the Indian sphere in Eastern Africa and Middle East from the 1850s to the 1930s. The western sphere of the Raj consisted of a region of Indian interest, influence and formal involvement from the Indo-Persian border to the East African coast. From the 1850s onwards, India's position was challenged by the increasing intrusion of metropolitan concerns. Despite occasional efforts by India to develop the scope of her activities, the relative importance of Imperial factors at various stations of Indian responsibility grew until, after often protracted diplomatic, bureaucratic, and fiscal negotiations, full control was assumed by Whitehall. During the nineteenth century, this process was gradual. Although Zanzibar and Somaliland had been transferred to the Foreign Office, much of the Indian sphere was still intact in 1914. Indeed, the Great War allowed India to contemplate the expansion of the sphere into Mesopotamia and East Africa. But, more generally, the conflict acted as a powerful catalyst to the advancing metropole and by 1917 no corner of the sphere was exclusively Indian in outlook. In addition, India's international status became more anomalous as a result of her membership of the Imperial Conference and the League of Nations. And, furthermore, constitutional reforms within India brought
empire raj conflict co_operation britain shape function indian sphere eastern africa middle_east western sphere raj consist region indian interest influence formal involvement indo persian border east african coast onwards india position challenge increase intrusion metropolitan concern despite occasional effort india develop scope activity relative_importance imperial factor various station indian responsibility grow often protract diplomatic bureaucratic fiscal negotiation full control assume whitehall process gradual although zanzibar transfer foreign_office much indian sphere still intact indeed great_war allow india contemplate expansion sphere mesopotamia east_africa generally conflict act powerful catalyst advance metropole corner sphere exclusively indian outlook addition india international status become anomalous membership imperial conference league_nations furthermore constitutional reform within india bring