ABSTRACT
The redemptive nationalism in the post-1857 period attenuated the potency of British colonialism and transformed some of the zealous champions of ‘civilizing mission’ into the ardent supporters of decolonization movement. Missionaries were of the view that the colonial government sanctioned the Hindu law that forfeited Christian converts from the right to inheritance. Missionaries anticipated that their government in India should be a ‘Christian’ one. The manner in which missionaries expected that their rulers should treat them as their ‘best friends’ indicates how missionaries and the colonial government had some common interests. By providing ‘modern’ education, the colonial government and missionaries were keen in producing Anglicized Indians who would be Indians in colour and blood but English in taste, opinion, moral and intellect. The anti-imperialist Americans were in touch with Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru to intensify the anti-colonial struggles in India.
