ABSTRACT
The first decade of the twentieth century is a landmark in the relationship between the paramount power and the Indian States. It witnessed the emergence of various factors which began gradually to reduce the subservience of the states and assign to them a much more modern and politically-orientated role within the context of the Indian Empire. One of the most significant factors was the manner in which many British officials in India were also beginning to react against Curzon’s policies towards the princes. In October 1906 the Governor of Bombay, Lord Lamington, urged the new Viceroy, Lord Minto, to ‘initiate a policy of relieving them from so much Government supervision and interference’. The reaction against Curzon’s administration, however, was most evident amongst those officials who were directly responsible for the work of the Foreign Department. The Government of India was subsequently obliged to revise the minorities memorandum and omit that section which enabled a prince to rescind a minority measure.
