§ THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURYI beg, my Lords, to move for the production 1950 of a paper of very great importance at the present moment. I allude to a document which has appeared in one of the evening papers, containing a circular Order of Sir Henry Somerset, the General Commander in Chief at Bombay, in which he prescribes certain rules for enlistment, and says,—
That he does not wish to touch particularly on the Subject of 'Caste;'—muscular, well-built young Men are what are required in the Native Army, and these must be obtained apart from such Considerations; yet it seems unadvisable, where others can be obtained, to replenish our ranks with low caste Men, who are from ill Feeding, rarely equal in Stamina to their better-caste Neighbours, and who are generally deficient in that Pride and soldier-like Feeling which it is our Duty to inculcate as essential to the well-being of the Native Army.I should say that this order was issued some days before the general outbreak, and that as soon as it was issued it was cancelled by the local Government. I think it very desirable that a copy of that document should be laid on the table of this House, in order that we may see what has been the course of conduct of the regimental officers and the commanding officers with reference to that which lies at the root of the mutiny in the Bengal army. I believe that all persons acquainted with India would admit that nothing has tended more to laxity of conduct and discipline, to foster a spirit of mutiny in the Bengal army, and to make the troops proud, conceited, arrogant, and resistant to the proper labour and duty imposed on all other soldiers, than this homage that has been paid to Brahminical caste. I must say the disclosures made in the papers lately laid before this House are sufficient to warn us of the evils of pandering to the vanities and bigotry and religious prejudices of the Hindoos. I may state to your Lordships that when General Hearsey disbanded the 19th Regiment, he found 419 high caste men in that regiment alone. I believe that nothing has tended more to foster the prejudices of the Natives and to encourage among them self-conceit, and the idea of possessing exclusive rights and privileges, than the apparent homage paid to caste by the officers and the European authorities. I must say this is a principle wholly inconsistent with the position which we occupy in India. It is certainly inconsistent with our political position and with our position as a Christian country. I for one would desire to see Christianity disseminated in India; but in order to aid that object, I would not enter into any Quixotic 1951 crusade against the habits and feelings of the people. I would leave all that to the silent operation of the Christian missionaries. But if we, as a Government, ought to abstain from forcing Christianity on the Natives of India, we as a Government ought equally to abstain from fostering religious bigotry and Pagan idolatry. I do not know that any one single thing has done more mischief throughout India than the homage that has been paid to the system of idolatry, by declaring that the Brahmins were to be selected and preferred above all others for service in the Native army. I want, therefore, to know from some member of Her Majesty's Government whether the principle of selection to which I have alluded is to be recognized in future. For myself, I believe, if the principle were laid down that our soldiers should be indiscriminately chosen, and that men of the lowest caste, such as Pariahs, Sudras, and Chandals, should be permitted to stand in the same rank as men of the highest caste without anything in the nature of exclusion, you would go further to put down Brahminism than by any other mode of action to which you could possibly have recourse. I must say I think the principle laid down by General Jacob in a phamplet he has recently published is the correct one—that in making levies the consideration should be, not who are the best Hindoos, but who would make the most true, obedient, and loyal soldiers. I hope my noble Friend (Earl Granville) will relieve the public mind by giving an assurance that in future the levies of the Bengal army will be raised on the principle adopted in Madras and Bombay, and that no preference whatever will be given to the Brahmins on account of their caste. The noble Earl then moved for copy of circular letter, of the 14th of January, 1857, on the subject of enlistment in the Native Indian army, signed by Major Glasse, Acting Deputy Assistant General.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI shall not object to the production of the General Order to which the noble Earl refers, and any other papers which may be necessary for its explanation shall also be laid on the table at the same time. There is a very natural disposition on the part of the military authorities in India to enlist men of the higher castes, on account of their supposed nobler qualities and greater courage. The noble Earl has expresed his belief that a great deal of the mischief which has arisen is attributable to the pampering 1952 and respect paid to the religious prejudices of the Hindoos. I have no doubt, that in some instances, mistakes of this kind may have been made, but it is quite clear that mistakes have also been made in the opposite direction; and I think, both for the maintenance of our power in India, and for the interest of the Christian religion, it is the duty of the Government to remain as neutral as possible with regard to religious questions. The noble Earl has asked me to give an assurance as to the mode in which the Bengal army shall in future be levied; but, whatever may be my opinions on the subject, I think it would be presumptuous on my part, after the direful experience we have had of the necessity of looking at the question in every light, to give any distinct pledge as to the manner in which the Indian armies shall in future be organized.
§ Ordered to be laid before the House.