Churchill and India

Much heat has been generated on the subject of Winston Churchill’s attitude to India. My view is that at the point at which he would have benefited from a more accurate view of the capabilities and successes of the Indian Army, Churchill was insufficiently well briefed. This account by Walter Reid is a calm explanation of Churchill’s attitude to India. Churchill was, of course, and ardent imperialist, but he wasn’t stupid. He saw the jewel in Britain’s crown to be the future jewel in the Commonwealth. In this he was to be denied. Walter’s excellent book articulates well all the issues of the argument.