How Does Tagore Depict the Colonial Rule in His Letter to Chelmsford?
Letter to Lord Chelmsford Rejecting Knighthood is a notable literary work by Rabindranath Tagore. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Letter to Lord Chelmsford Rejecting Knighthood.
Answer
How does Tagore depict the colonial rule in his letter to Chelmsford?
The legendary Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) possesses a greatness of patriotism. As a great patriot, he wrote his famous letter to Lord Chelmsford, the then Viceroy of India, rejecting his knighthood on May 31. His writing of rejection is an outcome of the massacre in Jallianwala Bagh of Amritsar, which took place on April 13, 1919. Throughout his letter, he proves his patriotism by depicting the inhuman colonial rule.
Cultural Subjugation: Tagore vividly portrayed the insidious impact of colonialism on Indian culture. He lamented the pervasive attempt to replace indigenous customs with those of the colonizer. He highlights the erosion of the rich cultural tapestry that defined the identity of the Indian people.
A Government with No Political Expedient: A government is usually formed through an election where citizens show their power of voting rights. However, the British colonial rulers were not such a government body. They come to power from their declaration and behave like the autocrats.
…the universal agony of indignation roused in the hearts of our people has been ignored by our rulers…
When a government is formed by a declaration, not through an election, it is not compelled to be accountable to the people. So, they treat the local Indians like a beast.
Lack of Representation: One of Tagore’s poignant critiques was the absence of Indian representation in decision-making. He highlighted the exclusion of native voices in the colonial councils. He emphasized the need for a more inclusive and participatory governance that reflects the diversity of the Indian population.
Call for Empathy: Tagore appealed directly to Lord Chelmsford’s sense of empathy. He urged the colonial ruler not to dismiss or ignore the genuine needs and concerns of the Indian people. He emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the complex challenges faced by the nation.
In conclusion, it is clear that Tagore severely criticized the British imposed colonial rule on India. He believes that their policies are harming the country and the people.