Figure 1.--This image shows an Scout group in Jubbulpore during the 1910s. This troop was composed of both British and Indian boys. We are unsure how common this was. Click on the image to see more of the troop.

While Scouting in India began in 1909, it was not at first a program for Indian boys. The early British Scouting movement did not at the onset adopt the inclusive international appraoch that it was to eventually settle upon. Scouting in India was at first exclusively for British and foreign boys. Scouting for native Indians was founded by V.V.N.Bose, Madanmohan Malvia, Hridyanath Kunju, Dr. Annie Beasant and G.S.Arundale, in 1913. They founded the "Hindustan Scouts". The separate Girl Guides were called the "Girl Guides of India." I am not sure to waht extent Scout troops were integrated or British and Indian troops associated with each other. I am not sure, however, how common this was. Indian Cubbing began in 1916, the same year as in Britain. The Rover program was organized in 1918.

British Program

While Scouting in India began in 1909, it was not at first a program for Indian boys. The early British Scouting movement did not at the onset adopt the inclusive international appraoch that it was to eventually settle upon. Scouting in India was at first exclusively for British and other European boys. Photographs from the 1910s mostly show British boys. I'm not precisely sure what the rules were and how they were inforced. The image here seems to show British and Indian boys or perhaps mixed British-Indian boys. I'm not sure how Scouting dealt with the mixed parentage boys. Indian Cubbing began in 1916, the same year as in Britain. The Rover program was organized in 1918.

Indian Program

Scouting for native Indians was founded by V.V.N.Bose, Madanmohan Malvia, Hridyanath Kunju, Dr. Annie Beasant and G.S.Arundale, in 1913. They founded the "Hindustan Scouts". The boys would have been mostly from affluent families, probably associated with the British Raj in some way. Scouting in England was founded in England as a Christian program. I'm not sure how early Indian Scouting handeled the relogion issue.

Girls

The separate Girl Guides were called the "Girl Guides of India."

Relation between British and Indian Program

I am not sure to what extent Scout troops were integrated or British and Indian troops associated with each other. I think they were two separate programs. I'm not sure if there were any combined activigties like camping events.

Individual Units

We have a few photographs of individual units from the 1910s.

Jubbulpore

One photograph from the 1910s taken in Jubbulpore clearly shows a troop composed of both English and I think Indian boys (figure 1). The Indian boys may have been boys with English fathers and Indian mothers. I am not sure, however, how common such mixing was in Scout units. Indian Cubbing began in 1916, the same year as in Britain. The Rover program was organized in 1918.

Kirkee

A HBU reader tells us that the 1st Kirkee Scouts were founded by his grandfather in 1909. He was awarded the Delhi Durbar medal for this achievement. Our reader writes, "Attached is the photo of the 1st Kirkee around 1910. My father is the little boy 2nd in from the right. Grandad is in the centre with his hands on his thighs. Behind him to the right is Padre Tibbs." [Ogden]

Sources

Ogden, Muchael. E-mail message, October 22, 2005.