A nation prospers if its government is wisely administered in the interest of the people, if the sources of wealth are widened, and if the proceeds from taxation are spent for the uplift of the people and among the people. It is impoverished if its government is carried on by an outside power for the purpose of exploitation; if the sources of its wealth are narrowed from the crippling of its industries, and if its revenues are largely remitted out of the country without an economic return. Americans stand in awe before the single monopoly of the Standard Oil Company. They are appalled by the magnitude and tyranny of its power. They should remember that the Standard Oil monopoly is a pigmy before the British monopoly of India. England has exercised for nearly two hundred years exclusive and undivided control over the affairs of India. She has had power to shape the destinies of three hundred million people according to her will, being responsible to no one but herself. She has held not only the government of India, but its commerce, its finances, and its industry. In conclusion let us repeat the poignant remark quoted earlier, “The national wealth of India did not sprout wings and fly away. It had to be carried away.” FOOTNOTES: [35] Quoted from R. C. Dutt, _Economic History of British India_. [36] Quoted from R. C. Dutt. [37] Quoted from R. C. Dutt. [38] _Prosperous British India._ [39] From _The Government of India_. [40] Quoted from R. C. Dutt. [41] Quoted from R. C. Dutt. [42] Quoted from R. C. Dutt. [43] Quoted from Lajpat Rai. [44] Digby. [45] Digby. CHAPTER IX INDIAN NATIONALISM--ITS ORIGIN AND GROWTH Before discussing at length the problems of Indian nationalism, let us consider whether India is really a nation, or is merely a composite of peoples inhabiting the same country. India’s fundamental unity as a nation has been denied often by prominent scholars, while its historic and cultured oneness has really never been acknowledged by the English rulers of the country. Sir John Strachey remarks: “This is the first and most essential thing to learn about India--that there is not and never was an India, or even any country of India, possessing, according to European ideas, any sort of unity, physical, political, social, or religious; no Indian nation, no ‘people of India’ of which we hear so much.”