File 3579/1916 'Turkey: the future of Constantinople' [‎119r] (246/530)

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The Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. of Jaora received the news without any sign of regret. He
said to Macdonald that it was only what was to have been expected from the
first as the result of Turkey’s bad faith, and that no one in Jaora cared a fig
for Turkey. “ The Sultan ” he remarked “is not even a descendant of the
Prophet, but descends from Ghenghis Khan ” : and he added “ you have
conquered us and therefore it is our religious duty to stand by and never
to forsake you”. Lastly, he thought that the only places where trouble misrht
be anticipated were “the United Provinces, the Punjab and Bombay, where
there are large numbers of people of no birth or position who are anxious
to make names for themselves”.
Dated Sehore, the 17th December 1916.
From—W. S. Davis, Esq., Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bhopal,
To—The Hon’blb Mr. O. V. Bosanquet, C.S.I., C.I.E., Agent to the Governor-
General in Central India, Indore.
I spoke to the Begum Courteous or formal title for (usually Muslim) women of elite status, especially of Turko-Mongol lineage. yesterday about the agreement between the Bussiau
Government and the Allies re the Straits and Constantinople, and I explained
to her very carefully the contents of the note sent with Mr. Grant’s letter of
24th November 1916.
She said she had so far heard nothing of the subject and her first comment
was that the present was a most unfortunate moment for the publication of
the agreement in India. She was of opinion that up till now the great mass
of Muhammadans in India, in spite of the great strain put upon them in
witnessing and even taking part in a war against the Sultan, whom they all
looked, on as their Khalif, had remained loyal to Government. There had been
exceptions, but, owing either to the good management of Government or to the
fact that the persons who were actively disloyal to Government were few and
unimportant, the Muhammadans as a whole had been with the Government.
She said one of the reasons for this was that for several generations the
Muhammadans of India had been taught from childhood to look on Russia
as the enemy of Islam, and that all of them knew that Russia had over and
over again attempted to wrest Constantinople from the Turks, and England
had prevented them from doing so. She quoted a little saying which she said
Muhammadan mothers all over India taught their children :—
* “ Khuda is reech ko Hindustan se bachawe
2. She thought that the publication of the agreement in India was a
very serious thing and would need the most careful and delicate handling by
Government. It cannot be doubted that there will be a wave of indignation
through the Muhammadans, and if evil results are to be avoided, the Viceroy
and the Government will have to exercise the greatest care and diplomacy.
Lord Hardinge, she thought, had created a most grateful feeling among the
Muhammadans by his support of the Turkish Red Crescent during the
Balkan War. The Indians knew that he had been at Constantinople, and
was a firm friend of Turkey, and they looked on him as one of the band of
Ambassadors and great Englishmen who had helped Turkey and Islam in
evil days.
At first she was in favour of Government issuing a long communique
explaining the action of Britain from the beginning of the war re^ Turkey.
Afterwards when I told her that Government had thought of this, and for very
weighty reasons was averse to it, she said “ Well, I believe Government is right.
Many people already in a sore frame of mind might say that the tacts and
arguments in the communique were false, and that there was more behind it,
and probably the communique would do more harm than good.’ She next
said, “Well, as the news has to reach the people somehow, Government had
better very gradually let it out through the press in carefully inspired articles.
This thing is like a great misfortune w r hich has to be communicated to a *
* I have heari of this and I asked an old Muhammadan Orderly if he had heard of it, and he said “ of course every
woman sings that to her baby”.