In the term paper I was required to discuss and analyze the Indian question between 1900 to 1923 and also I was to show how it was solved. In this context I am going to discuss about Indian question in Kenya only, the reason why I am saying this is because we have also Indian question in America which was solved by the first president of America Washington DC and there is also Indian question in South Africa. Simply when we are talking about Indian question we are taling about the conflict that was brought about by political rivalries between the two minority immigrants' races, i.e. Indians and Europeans, this confrontation took place in the year 1900. There was confrontation over whom to take the control of Kenya either in politics, economic and social status.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Factors that led to breakout of Indian question
The terms of Devonshire white paper that resolved the Indian question
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the political and social tensions known as the "Indian Question" in Kenya between 1900 and 1923, analyzing the causes of the conflict between the immigrant Indian and European populations and evaluating the efficacy of the Devonshire White Paper in resolving these disputes.
- The historical context of the political rivalry between Indians and Europeans in colonial Kenya.
- Key drivers of the conflict: legislative representation, land ownership in the White Highlands, and immigration restrictions.
- The role of the 1923 Devonshire White Paper in addressing racial segregation and legislative grievances.
- An evaluation of whether the Devonshire White Paper provided a sustainable resolution or merely a temporary cooling of tensions.
Excerpt from the Book
Factors that led to breakout of Indian question
The first issue that led to break out of Indian question is that Indians felt that they were not well represented in legislative council (legco). What we have to now is that Indians in legislative were only represented by 2 people, and this made them to demand for more seats in legislative council. Another factor that led to breakout of Indian question is that the Indians wanted a share in renowned white highlands. As we all know is that white highland at first were inhabited by the Africans but when the Europeans came they pushed the Africans into reserves and they occupied them, even the Indians wanted a share in those white highlands.
Another factor that brought the Indian question is that the Britain government in Kenya had made restrictions on the Indian emigration hence there was a ban on their emigration. These emigration restrictions angered the Indians and there was a need to stop this ban so as reduce the tension that was there between the Indians and the Europeans.
Another issue that resulted to Indian question is that Indians claimed there was racial segregation in residential areas. Indians wanted equal treatment like the whites either in politics, education employment or heath. Indians, Africans and Europeans were not allowed to interact or have something in common, for example the Indian’s kids were not allowed to study in the same class with European kids this is because the Europeans believed that they were superior than any other race in the world. There was segregation all over the country and there was need for the urgent measures to stop the breakout of war between Africans, Indians and the Europeans.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Defines the "Indian Question" as a power struggle between Indian and European immigrant communities in Kenya and outlines the scope of the research.
Factors that led to breakout of Indian question: Details the primary grievances of the Indian community, specifically focusing on unequal legislative representation, land rights in the White Highlands, immigration bans, and systemic racial segregation.
The terms of Devonshire white paper that resolved the Indian question: Analyzes the 1923 London conference and the specific mandates regarding political representation, residential segregation, and immigration policies intended to mitigate inter-racial tensions.
Conclusion: Argues that the Devonshire White Paper failed to provide a permanent solution and acted only as a temporary measure to prevent a full-scale crisis, leaving many underlying tensions unresolved.
Keywords
Indian Question, Kenya, Devonshire White Paper, Colonialism, Legislative Council, White Highlands, Racial Segregation, Immigration, British Government, Political Rivalry, Social Inequality, History of Kenya, Settler Dominance, Land Rights, 1923.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the historical period between 1900 and 1923 in Kenya, specifically analyzing the social and political conflict between the Indian and European immigrant populations known as the "Indian Question."
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
The core themes include legislative representation, the acquisition of land in the White Highlands, immigration restrictions, and the impact of racial segregation in colonial Kenya.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to discuss and analyze the origins of the "Indian Question" and to determine how the British government, through the Devonshire White Paper, attempted to resolve these conflicts.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The paper employs a historical analytical method, reviewing existing documentation, past grievances, and the subsequent policy responses from the colonial government to evaluate historical events.
What issues are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the rise of influential Indian leadership, the specific demands for equal representation, the reaction of European settlers, and the specific terms introduced in the 1923 Devonshire White Paper.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Indian Question, Kenya, Devonshire White Paper, Colonialism, Legislative Council, White Highlands, and racial segregation.
How did the Indian community in Kenya express their grievances during the early 20th century?
Influential leaders, such as Jevanjee, raised concerns regarding their lack of adequate representation in the Legislative Council and petitioned against discriminatory policies imposed by the colonial government.
Why does the author conclude that the Devonshire White Paper was not a permanent solution?
The author argues that while the paper stopped the situation from escalating into a crisis, it failed to satisfy the Indian demands for true equality and continued to favor settler dominance, leaving the underlying causes of conflict present.
What specific change occurred regarding Legislative Council representation?
Following the Devonshire White Paper, the number of Indian representatives in the Legislative Council was increased from two to five members, elected on a communal roll.
How did the Devonshire White Paper impact the movement of the Indian population?
The 1923 mandate included the lifting of the ban on Indian emigration, allowing Indians to travel throughout East Africa without facing previous entry restrictions.
- Quote paper
- Gregory Kathurima Kapambana (Author), 2016, The Indian question in Kenya between 1900 to 1923. The terms of Devonshire white paper that resolved the Indian question, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/491191
