Growth of Nationalism in Burma 1900-1942 (An Old and Rare Book)

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This book offers a detailed study of the growth of nationalism in Burma during the period, 1900-1942. The author traces the origin and growth of Burmese nationalism in a systematic and chronological way.

The author first begins with the historical background and origin of the traditional nationalism in Burma before the First World War. He then provides a detailed account of the growth of modern nationa lism and examines how the period from the end of the First World War to the year 1930 was a period of demands for political and constitutional reforms in Burma. Later he discusses the consolidation of the national movement and separation of Burma from India during 1931 tο 1937. He subsequently analyses the nationalist developments from separation to Japanese occupation during the years 1937 to 1942. Throughout he emphasises that the growth of nationalism in Burma had both an element of challenge and response. It was a challenge to the British domination and at the same time a response to Western Liberal ideas brought by the British in the country. It was the result of both the indigenous and alien factors.

Having worked with a vast number of original sources including debates and official reports and private papers, the author has attempted to provide an objective and authentic account of the growth of Nationalism in Burma. The book thus makes a valuable contribution to the knowledge of Burma's nationalist movement in the first four decades of the 20th century.

The greatest single development in the first half of the 20th century in Asia has been the rise of the Asiatics against their colonial masters and the emergence of the Asiatics as independent members in the Family of Nations. If the rise of western imperialism in Asia was a fascinating story, no less interesting is the tale the Asian freedom movements had to tell. In this larger context of Asia's emergence the history of Burma presents a very unique and interesting picture.

There are numerous works on the history of Burma and its internal developments but there is lack of a systematic and comprehensive work portraying the whole picture of the growth of nationalism in Burma which ultimately resulted in the freedom of the nation in 1948. The present work is an humble attempt to trace the origin and growth of Burmese nationalism. The purpose of this work is to present a systematic and chronological study of the Burmese struggle for freedom from the British colonial rule. During the period under study (1900-42) the Burmese nationalist movement passed through a number of stages and ultimately paved the way for the final liquidation of the British colonial rule in Burma.

In 1885 Burma as an independent state was wiped out of the map of the world and was made an integral part of the British Indian Empire. But in course of time there emerged a national consciousness in Burma which made the Burmans aware of their exploitation. It was against this foreign domination of their country that the Burmans expressed resentment. Various factors helped the emergence of national consciousness in Burma. The Burmese nationalist movement had both an element of challenge and response. It was a challenge to the British domination and at the same time a response to the western liberal ideas brought by the British in the country. It was also the result of both the indigenous and alien factors.