Call to Remove ‘Lord’ Title for British Rulers in Records

Demand Raised in Rajya Sabha for Historical Terminology Change

A proposal urging the removal of the title “Lord” from the names of British colonial administrators was voiced in the Rajya Sabha, with the argument that continuing to use such honorifics keeps remnants of imperial authority alive in India’s official narrative. The MP making the appeal emphasised that independent India should not preserve terminology that symbolically elevates former colonial rulers.

Reform Sought Across Textbooks and Public Records

The suggestion extends to school textbooks, government documents, and archival references where British officials from the colonial era are still addressed using titles that reflect superiority. According to the proposal, retaining these designations reinforces outdated hierarchies that no longer hold relevance in a post-colonial nation.

Historical Perspective and National Identity

The MP stated that altering such terminology is not about erasing history but presenting it without glorifying the authority colonial officers once exercised. By dropping titles that denote privilege, India can reshape how younger generations interpret the colonial period and better align educational material with the country’s independent identity.

Consistency in Official Usage

The request also highlights the need for uniformity across ministries, state education boards, and archival bodies. A standard approach, according to the argument placed in the House, would help ensure that references to colonial administrators are factual without applying honorifics that imply reverence.

Decolonisation Efforts Continue

This proposal aligns with a broader movement across government and academic circles aimed at revisiting terminology, symbols, and narratives inherited from colonial rule. The call reflects growing momentum for reforms that prioritise Indian perspectives and cultural neutrality in historical documentation.

Shunyatax Global Insight

India’s ongoing efforts to re-examine historical representation signify a deeper shift toward reclaiming narrative neutrality and cultural autonomy. As discussions on decolonisation intensify, education systems and archival authorities are likely to play a central role in shaping how future generations understand the past.

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