Study sources A, B and C. How far do these sources support the view that the people of the Raj operated like a separated caste?

Source’s A, B and C all support the view that the people of the Raj operated like a separate caste, however they all make reference as to how some people of the Raj did try to integrate themselves into Indian society. Source C also suggests that the British were also allowing certain, handpicked Indian’s an insight into Raj life, by awarding them with a Victoria Cross.

Within source A we see quotes that back up the idea that the people of the Raj operated as a separate caste, this is made clear when Charles Allen refers to everyone in the Raj being ‘from the same educational background’ and not having any real ‘relationships with Indians’. This quote suggests to us that the British people of the Raj were quite content to just mix within themselves, and were not too bothered about integrating into the Indian society. However, in contrast to this later on in the source, Allen goes on to say that some ‘undoubtedly made a very close study of India and Indian customs’. This shows that the Raj maybe didn’t operate as a separate caste and were willing to get involved with Indian society.

In source B we also see a suggestion that the Raj operated as a separate caste, and it is also said that the British had ‘Nothing in common’ with Indians. This suggests to us that the British Raj were very insular and felt they were superior to the Indian caste system. The unknown Indian, (who wrote the source), also says that they ‘despised’ the English, and that the English never treated the Indians as equals, furthermore, many Indians didn’t wear any English clothes. The source later on states that the unknown Indian’s views were heavily influenced by their parents, this could suggest to us that it was an Indian tradition to try and isolate the British, however their views may be hollow as they are inherited.

Source C shows to us how perceptions of Indian’s changed in British eyes if they were