Liberalism in India

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The history of liberalism in India goes back to the period of East India Company rule, during which reforms began to be introduced to the governance of India.

The early 19th century saw a slate of liberal reforms spearheaded by Governors-General Lord William Bentinck and Sir Charles Metcalfe, and education reformer Thomas Babington Macaulay. These included the establishment of press freedom as government policy, economic liberalisation and the widespread introduction of English-language education. Liberals were cognisant that Lord Bentinck's desire to reduce barriers to Indians working in the civil service would lead to self-government; Lord Bentinck also desired the establishment of legal equality.^[1]

At the end of 19th century, Gladstonian liberals inducted Indians from the elite class into new representative institutions, thereby providing a framework for later self-rule, which became a reality by 1947.^[2]

Three strands of liberalism have manifested in India- Colonial (eg: Charles Cornwallis, Thomas Babington Macaulay), Nationalist (eg: Rammohan Roy, Surendranath Banerjee), Radical (Jyotirao Phule, B. R. Ambedkar).^[3]

Right-wing journalist Swapan Dasgupta wrote in 1994 that the spirit of liberalism in India is superficial and is tempered by what he views as authoritarian ideologies like Marxism.^[4]