Divide and tolerate: imperial secularisms in Ireland, India, and Britain, 1774-1815

Abstract

Exploring the published polemic, unpublished memoranda, and private correspondence of colonial policy-shapers, this dissertation analyzes debates over the possibility of Catholic emancipation in Ireland and government superintendence of the "native" religious infrastructure in India. It asks how colonialism influenced British understandings of religious toleration and, in turn, how changing notions of toleration organized the discussion of secularist policy in India, Ireland, and Britain. In general, it argues, toleration in the colonies followed a "prudential" pattern. Its advocates stressed that governments should grant concessions to enable the religious practices of particular groups of subjects. In exchange, the authorities expected loyalty from the groups tolerated in this potentially quite divisive manner.