Page:Indian Home Rule by Mohandas K. Gandhi.djvu/45

Rh further views, We are now on a most interesting topic. I shall, therefore, endeavour to follow your thought, and stop you when I am in doubt.


 * I am afraid that, in spite of your enthusiasm, as we proceed further we shall have differences of opinion. Nevertheless, I shall argue only when you will stop me. We have already seen that the English merchants were able to get a footing in India because we encouraged them. When our princes fought among themselves, they sought the assistance of Company Bahadur. That corporation was versed alike in commerce and war. It was unhampered by questions of morality. Its object was to increase its commerce, and to make money. It accepted our assistance, and increased the number of its warehouses. To protect the latter it employed an army which was utilised by us also. Is it not then useless to blame the English for what we did at that time? The Hindus and the Mahomedans were at daggers drawn. This, too, gave the Company its opportunity; and thus we created the circumstances that gave the Company its control over India. Hence it is truer to say that we gave India to the English than that India was lost.


 * Will you now tell me how they are able to retain India?


 * The causes that gave them India enable them to retain it. Some Englishmen state that they took, and they hold, India by the sword.