Lord Hardinge was India's Viceroy from 1910 to 1916. He had joined the diplomatic service in 1880 and had served as first secretary and Ambassador to Russia in Tehran. His administrative experience, on the other hand, was nil. This young viceroy was sympathetic to the Indians and hoped to gain their favor. In this article, we will discuss the Viceroy of India Lord Hardinge-II (1910-1916) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Lord Hardinge II - Background

• Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge, (born June 20, 1858, London, England—died August 2, 1944, Penshurst, Kent), a British diplomat and viceroy of India who improved British relations in India and was instrumental in securing India's support for the United Kingdom during World War I.
• Charles Hardinge, the grandson of Lord Hardinge, the governor-general of India from 1844 to 1848, entered the diplomatic service in 1880.
• After serving as ambassador to Russia in 1904 and as permanent undersecretary of state for foreign affairs in 1906, he was elevated to the peerage and appointed viceroy of India in 1910.
• His government reversed Lord Curzon's unpopular partition of Bengal and used the occasion of King George V and Queen Mary's December 1911 visit to announce the transfer of India's capital from Calcutta to New Delhi.

Significant Events under Lord Hardinge II

Delhi Durbar of 1911

• In England, a succession occurred in 1910, with King George V ascending to the throne.
• In 1911, he paid a visit to India, where a Durbar was held to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary's coronation.
• This Darbar restored the pomp and show of the Mughals in Delhi.
• The King and Queen, resplendent in coronation robes adorned with thousands of diamonds and precious gems, appeared in the Jharokha of the red fort to greet the 5 lakh Indians who had gathered to greet the sovereign couple.
• The Congress passed a resolution condemning the Darbar's pomp and show at the expense of poor Indians.
• The King declared that the capital of India would be moved from Calcutta to Delhi.
• The Partition of Bengal was also declared null and void at the same Darbar.

Delhi Conspiracy Case 1912

• The Delhi Conspiracy Case, also known as the Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy Case or the Hardinge Bomb Case, occurred in 1912 when members of Yugantar threw a bomb in Delhi's Chandni Chowk in order to kill Lord Harding.
• The Viceroy survived with minor injuries, but his mahawat (elephant keeper) was killed.
• This conspiracy was thought to have been hatched by Ras Behari Bose, who then went underground and fled to Japan.
• Basant Kumar Biswas, Amir Chand, and Avadh Behari were convicted and executed during the trial.

India's Participation in First World War

• The outbreak of the First World War and Indian participation in it was the most significant event during Hardinge's presidency.
• Hardinge wisely dispatched almost all European soldiers available in India, as well as a large number of Indian soldiers, to fight for the British cause in various parts of the world.
• This made him popular in his own country because his wartime activities were thought to have played a role in obtaining Indian support for the British war effort.

Hindu Mahasabha (1915) by Madan Mohan Malviya

• During the reign of Lord Hardinge-II, the Hindu Mahasabha was established. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya founded it in 1915.
• The Hindu Mahasabha was founded to bring together the various local Hindu movements that had roots in North Indian public life dating back to the previous century.
• It was remodeled much along the lines of the Congress in the early 1920s by its founders, including UP's Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
• With branches in most parts of India, it focuses on social and religious work among Hindus and untouchables, cow protection, and the spread of Hindi.
• The organization remained more concerned with defending Hindu interests, particularly when the Congress' tactics appeared to be jeopardizing them.

Return of Mahatma Gandhi (1915)

• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India during the tenure of Lord Harding-II (1910-1916).
• Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa on the insistence of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the year 1915.
• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India on January 8, 1915. He established the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in May 1915.
• Gandhi had no official leadership, role, or agenda until 1917, and the British could easily tolerate his presence.

Legacy of Lord Hardinge II

• Hardinge's criticism of the South African government's Anti-India Immigration Act, as well as his sympathy for Mahatma Gandhi's passive resistance movement, earned him popular support.
• The Hardinge bridge across the Padma near Ishwardi in Pabna district was named after him when it opened in 1917.

Conclusion

When he returned to England in 1916, he was appointed permanent under-secretary for foreign affairs again, and he later became ambassador to Paris before retiring in 1922. He passed away in August 1944. My Indian Years, 1910-1916, his memoirs, was published in 1948.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Lord Hardinge II?

Q2: What were the major events during Lord Hardinge II’s tenure as Viceroy?

Q3: What was the significance of the Delhi Durbar of 1911?

Q4: What was Lord Hardinge II’s role in the annulment of the Partition of Bengal?

Q5: What were the challenges faced by Lord Hardinge II during his tenure as Viceroy?

MCQs

1. During which period did Lord Hardinge II serve as the Viceroy of India?

a) 1905-1910

b) 1910-1916

c) 1916-1920

d) 1920-1925

2. Which event took place during the Delhi Durbar of 1911 under Lord Hardinge II?

a) The declaration of Indian independence

b) The shift of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi

c) The establishment of the Indian National Congress

d) The first partition of Bengal

3. What significant decision was reversed by Lord Hardinge II during his tenure?

a) The partition of Bengal

b) The Ilbert Bill

c) The introduction of dyarchy

d) The establishment of the Indian Councils Act

4. What was the key reason behind the shift of the capital to Delhi in 1911?

a) Economic reasons

b) Strategic and political significance of Delhi

c) Population pressure in Calcutta

d) Religious significance of Delhi

5. During Lord Hardinge II’s tenure, what major global event affected British India?

a) World War I

b) World War II

c) The American Civil War

d) The French Revolution

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Analyze the significance of the annulment of the Partition of Bengal during Lord Hardinge II's tenure as Viceroy.

Answer: The annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911, initiated by Lord Hardinge II, was a significant event in Indian history. The Partition, implemented by Lord Curzon in 1905, had led to widespread protests and gave birth to the Swadeshi Movement. The annulment was a response to the intense opposition from the Indian populace, especially the Bengali intelligentsia, who saw the partition as a strategy to divide Bengal on communal lines. By reversing the partition, Lord Hardinge II aimed to restore peace and calm in the region. However, it also exposed the limitations of British policy-making and further strengthened the Indian nationalist movement.

Q2. Discuss the impact of shifting the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 on British India's administration and politics.

Answer: The shift of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 had significant administrative and political implications. Delhi, being centrally located, was considered a more suitable place for the British to administer their colonial rule effectively. It also symbolized the return of power to a city historically associated with the rule of India’s great empires, including the Mughals. Politically, it helped the British strengthen their grip over northern India, which was seen as strategically important. The move also indicated a desire to distance British administration from the growing nationalist sentiment in Bengal. However, it faced criticism for its extravagance and did little to quell the growing demand for self-rule.

Q3. Evaluate the challenges faced by Lord Hardinge II during World War I and their implications for British India.

Answer: World War I presented significant challenges for Lord Hardinge II and British India. India was a major source of manpower and resources for the British war effort, with over a million Indian soldiers serving in various theatres of the war. The war also placed immense pressure on India's economy, leading to inflation and scarcity of essential goods. Nationalist leaders used the opportunity to demand greater autonomy in return for India's support in the war. The Indian involvement in the war laid the groundwork for increased political consciousness, leading to demands for self-governance after the war. Despite the challenges, British India's contribution to the war effort cemented its importance in the British Empire but also accelerated the movement for independence.

Previous Year Questions on  Lord Hardinge

1. UPSC CSE 2016

Question. Why was the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi significant in British India?

Answer: The transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 under Lord Hardinge II had both political and symbolic significance. Delhi, with its historical and strategic importance, was chosen to centralize British power. It marked a shift in British administrative focus, making governance more efficient by moving closer to the north, where political unrest and nationalist activities were on the rise. The decision also symbolized continuity with India’s imperial past, as Delhi had been the capital of several historic empires. However, the move created economic disruption in Calcutta and met with opposition from Bengali nationalists.

2. UPSC CSE 2018

Question. How did World War I affect India’s economy and society under Lord Hardinge II’s tenure?

Answer: India’s participation in World War I under Lord Hardinge II had profound economic and social impacts. The war effort placed heavy financial burdens on India, resulting in inflation, increased taxation, and scarcity of essential goods. Indian soldiers fought on foreign fronts, and their contributions brought pride but also highlighted the stark inequities in the colonial system. Social unrest grew as expectations of political reforms went unmet, fueling nationalist sentiments. The economic hardships caused by the war, combined with the failure of British authorities to acknowledge India’s sacrifices, contributed to the rise of movements like the Home Rule League.