DURING the 1930s and 40s, Winston Churchill was the leading Parliamentary defender of a traditionalist approach towards the British Empire. His attitude to India was based on instinct rather than on reason. Like his friend, the former Secretary of State for India Lord Birkenhead, his understanding of the countrys social and religious structures was superficial. He had a broad, emotional, Edwardian belief in the racial superiority of the pinkish-grey races and the need to maintain the British Empire, and was not interested in hearing logical reasons why his dismissal of Indian nationalism might be outdated and destructive. Lord Irwin once suggested that since Churchill held views on India similar to those of a subaltern a generation ago, he might be interested in updating them by meeting some prominent Indian political activists who were then in London. I am quite satisfied with my views of India, came the bulldogs reply. I dont want them disturbed by any bloody Indian.