India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947; India -- Politics and government -- 1765-1947
(5) That in order to do it, some kind of compulsory military
training be introduced. All young men between the ages of 17 and
21 may be required to undergo military training and put in at
least one year of military service.
(6) That as a preliminary step towards it the existing Arms Act be
repealed and, under proper safeguards, the people be allowed to
carry and possess arms in peace and war, so as to be familiar with
their use.
(7) That slowly and gradually, as funds can be spared from the
other demands more urgent and pressing, an Indian Navy be built.
Having explained the position of the Indian Nationalist in this matter,
we will now see what Mr. Montagu and Lord Chelmsford say on this matter
in their report. In Paragraph 328 they state the "Indian wishes" and
point out that "for some years Indian politicians have been urging the
right of Indians in general to bear arms in defence of their country";
and that "we have everywhere met a general demand from the political
leaders for extended opportunities for military service," but that the
subject being more or less outside the scope of their enquiry and
"requirements of the future" being dependent "on the form of peace which
is attained," they "leave this question for consideration hereafter with
the note that it must be faced and settled."
In Paragraph 330 they deal with the question of "British Commissions for
Indians."
"The announcement of his Majesty's Government that 'the bar which
has hitherto prevented the admission of Indians to commissioned
rank in His Majesty's Army should be removed' has established the
principle that the Indian soldier can earn the King's commission
by his military conduct. It is not enough merely to assert a
principle. We must act on it. The services of the Indian army in
the war and the great increase in its numbers make it necessary
that a considerable number of commissions should now be given. The
appointments made so far have been few. Other methods of
appointment have not yet been decided on, but we are impressed
with the necessity of grappling with the problem. We also wish to
establish the principle that if an Indian is enlisted as a private
in a British unit of His Majesty's Army its commissioned ranks
also should be open to him."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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