Note 180 — Chapter XIII · 1857. EARLY MONTHS OF SEPOY MUTINY
Reading edition
Forty years thereafter,—namely, in 1897,—Lord Roberts, bearing in mind the events of 1857, writes:—In reply to the question, “Is there any chance of a mutiny occurring again?” With reference to that question he, remarks after this manner: “I would say that the best way of guarding against such a calamity is—By never allowing the present proportion of British to native soldiers to be diminished or the discipline and efficiency of the native army to become slack.
“By taking care that men are selected for the higher civil and military posts whose self-reliance, activity, and resolution are not impaired by age, and who possess a knowledge of the country and the habits of the peoples.
“By recognising and guarding against the dogmatism of theorists and the dangers of centralization.
“By rendering our administration on the one hand firm and strong, on the other hand tolerant and sympathetic; and last, but not least, by doing all in our power to gain the confidence of the various races, and by convincing them that we have not only the determination, but the ability to maintain our supremacy in India against all assailants.
“If these cardinal points are never lost sight of, there is, I believe, little chance of any fresh outbreak disturbing the stability of our rule in India, or neutralizing our efforts to render that country prosperous, contented, and thoroughly loyal to the British Crown.” (Vol. I., p. 449.)