Royal Commission on Opium

Manufacture of opium in India

Royal Commission on Opium was a British Royal Commission appointed in 1893 to investigate the opium trade in India and its effects. The commission was established in response to increasing domestic and international pressure to address the moral, social, and economic aspects of the opium trade, particularly in relation to China.

Background

The opium trade had been a controversial issue for many years, with British merchants, especially those of the British East India Company, playing a significant role in exporting opium from India to China. This trade led to widespread addiction in China and was a contributing factor to the Opium Wars. In Britain and abroad, there was a growing movement against the opium trade, led by missionaries, social reformers, and others who were concerned about its moral and social implications.

Formation

In response to these concerns, the British government appointed the Royal Commission on Opium in 1893. The commission was tasked with investigating the cultivation of the poppy, the manufacture of opium in India, and the trade between India and China. It was also to consider the effects of opium consumption on the Indian population and the economic implications of the trade.

Members

The commission consisted of several members, including representatives from the British government, the government of India, medical experts, and others with knowledge of the opium trade and its effects. The members were chosen to provide a balanced view of the issues involved, although critics argued that the commission was biased in favor of the opium trade.

Findings

The Royal Commission on Opium submitted its report in 1895. The report concluded that the opium trade was largely beneficial to the Indian economy and that opium consumption among the Indian population did not constitute a serious social problem. It recommended that the trade should continue, albeit with some regulations to address specific concerns.

The commission's findings were controversial and were criticized by opponents of the opium trade, who argued that the report had downplayed the negative effects of opium and was biased in favor of the trade's economic benefits.

Impact

The report of the Royal Commission on Opium had a significant impact on British policy regarding the opium trade. It helped to justify the continuation of the trade for several more years, despite ongoing domestic and international criticism. However, the issue of opium continued to be a contentious one, and the trade would eventually be restricted and then banned in the early 20th century, following further international pressure and changes in public opinion.

See Also

• Opium Wars
• British East India Company
• History of opium in China