Madam, - Dr Michael Holmes's recent article on Irish-Indian links (World View, January 21st) completely ignored the real history and genuine achievements of Irishmen in the subcontinent.
In 1886 five Irishmen were on the Viceroy's Council. During the 1890s seven of the eight Indian provinces were at one time headed by Irishmen and two Irish Catholics from modest rural backgrounds, Antony MacDonnell and Michael O'Dwyer, both became lieutenant-governors. The sixth Earl of Mayo was one of the most successful and sympathetic of all the Viceroys.
During the period 1795-1830 42 per cent of the British army in India was Irish. By 1912, due to the success of the Irish economy, the proportion had fallen to 9.1 per cent .
As for so-called British oppression, the Indian historian Tirthanker Roy states that the railways, ports, major irrigation systems, the telegraph, sanitation and medical care, the universities, the postal system and the courts of law were assets that India could not believably have acquired in such extent and quality had it not developed close political links with Britain. The Indian civil service represented the British Empire at its best and at its most altruistic. - Yours, etc,
EOIN LYNCH,
Botanic Square,
Dublin 9.