Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Advanced Research in Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/6th.icarss.2023.06.103
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Commissioner Lin on The Opium Question: Understanding the Man and His Potential in A National Crisis
Dr. Jailakshmi Kaul
ABSTRACT:
As the topic of this paper suggests, this is one of the promising chapters in the history of modern China. So long, students/researchers are aware mostly of the specifics of Western Imperialism – resulting in events like the Opium Wars; or else, more research in recent times on aspects related to production, cultivation, distribution, marketing, and the economy of this whole business in preceding two-three centuries. On a deeper probing of the entire subject, however, one is faced with many questions, the most important being among others – What led China to get involved in this whole story of trade, treachery, greed, diplomacy, and war? How did the State, and its bureaucracy handle the situation – crystallized in China by the 18th century? What were the other options, if at all any? What was so special in the personality of Lin Zexu that made matters so difficult for the foreigners stationed in China – and especially the young, ambitious Captain Elliot? Does this phase of history also call for a cultural scrutiny of the two societies (the point may appear to be remote though to some)? The findings of the present study establish beyond doubt that even today, there is a lot to learn from the history – preceding our times.
keywords: trade practices, habit formations, opium smuggling, controlling action, conscientious Westerners