Can you point your finger to any period of Indian history in which
there was an united India? I have failed to discover it. Take the
Magadh Empire--that great empire which was built up and which perished
in course of time. That empire did not bring out Indian unity to the
fullest extent. Take the Mahomedan Empire--it did not--it strove for
that and I fully appreciate that, that is the tendency of the Indian
history from the earliest time to the present day. (A voice: in the
time of Asoke?) Even in the time of Asoke there was not one whole
united India; it was the domination of one country over the rest of
India. The great Indian nationality of which I am speaking was not born
then. I am not for belittling the glory of the culture of India under
those empires--I have the deepest veneration for them and I say the
purpose of Indian history is that throughout the ages, through every
success, through every failure, through every battle which was won,
through every battle which was lost, the history of India was working
out her destiny and turning out the great Indian nation. To-day we
see the vision of that glory (cheers). That which could not come to
pass under the Hindu kings, that which was not brought about under the
Mahomedan gentlemen, it is for us to consider now were we who represent
modern India, whether it will be our glorious task to accomplish that
if we fail--what of that?--others will come after us who will achieve
this. But achieved it must be (Hear, Hear). The message of India must
be given to the world.
The history of India is working out--is bringing out gradually the soul
of India and the time will come--we may not live then, our children
may not live then,--but I say the day will come when India will stand
before the whole world in all her glory of spirituality. The unity
of the Hindus and the Mahomedans and of all sects and creeds will be
bound together in one great cultural ideal and will influence the
civilization of the world (Prolonged cheers). Well, gentlemen, as I am
dealing with Self-Government, the point of practical importance which
arises is this; that is a scheme of self-government not only should
there be perfectly autonomous provincial government but along that such
a scheme should be made that all these provincial governments may be
united in one central Indian Government because in this our desire for
provincial autonomy, we are apt to forget the spirit of the history of
India. That is the spirit of nationalism to-day.