History of English in India

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What motivated the initial spread of English in India during the era of the East India Company?

To establish a competitive educational system.

To promote humanitarian values among Indians.

To create a band of English-speaking Indians for trade. (correct)

To replace Persian as the official language.

Which legislation marked a significant shift towards promoting English education in India?

Charter Act of 1844

Charter Act of 1813 (correct)

Charter Act of 1773

Charter Act of 1900

What was a key provision of the Charter Act of 1813 regarding education?

A ban on missionary involvement in education.

Inclusion of education as part of the Company’s administrative policy. (correct)

The establishment of universities across India.

Promotion of English as the sole educational medium.

What year did English officially become the language of the Indian colony?

1844 Signup and view all the answers

Which institution was established first among those mentioned in the content?

The Hindoo College, Calcutta Signup and view all the answers

Which influential figure advocated for the promotion of Western education in India?

Sir Macaulay Signup and view all the answers

What was the annual fund allocated for education under the Charter Act of 1813?

100,000/- Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of the General Committee of Public Instruction set up in Calcutta?

Education in Persian, Arabic, and classical Sanskrit. Signup and view all the answers

Who were some of the founders of Hindoo College in Calcutta?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Baidyanath Mukhopadhya, David Hare Signup and view all the answers

What approach did education in India mostly retain during the early 19th century?

An Orientalist approach Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Macaulay's suggestions to the educational system in India?

Replacing Persian with English as the official language Signup and view all the answers

What did Macaulay's Minute on Indian Education advocate for?

Establishment of more English medium institutions Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Macaulay propose to implement English education in India?

Downward Filtration Theory Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant result of Macaulay’s Minute on Education?

Intensifying the conflict between Orientalists and Anglicans Signup and view all the answers

How did Macaulay view Indian natives regarding education?

As needing complete integration of Western values Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did Macaulay’s policies lead to in the educational landscape of India?

The promotion of English literature and science over traditional subjects Signup and view all the answers

What was the main thrust of Macaulay's solution regarding education in India?

To focus exclusively on teaching Western sciences and literature in English Signup and view all the answers

Which significant outcome arose from Macaulay's Minute?

It opened a pathway to Western knowledge, aiding Indian independence Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for drafting the critical despatch against Macaulay's Minute?

John Stuart Mill Signup and view all the answers

What was Lord Auckland's approach to education funding?

To divide funding first for Oriental education before Western education Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did Bentick face during his tenure?

For endorsing Macaulay's Minute on Western education Signup and view all the answers

What action did students at the Calcutta Madrassa undertake?

They protested against the closure of the madrassa Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key initiatives included in Auckland's education policy?

To offer scholarships to 1/4th of students in Oriental institutes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following did Auckland not advocate for in his education policy?

The exclusive focus on Western literature Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key proposals of Wood’s Dispatch regarding the structure of education?

Division of school education into Elementary, Middle, and High schools Signup and view all the answers

Which language was emphasized for primary education as per Wood’s Dispatch?

Vernacular language Signup and view all the answers

What was established in each district as part of Wood’s Dispatch recommendations?

A government school Signup and view all the answers

Which universities were modeled on the London University as per Wood’s Dispatch?

Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras Universities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a recommendation made in Wood’s Dispatch?

Creation of a central education commission Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the Hunter Commission that followed Wood's Dispatch?

Assessment of the primary education system Signup and view all the answers

What type of education did Wood's Dispatch primarily promote?

Secular education Signup and view all the answers

Which establishment was founded specifically for women's education as a result of reforms following Wood’s Dispatch?

Bethune School in Kolkata Signup and view all the answers

Who appointed the Indian University Commission in 1902?

Lord Curzon Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary recommendation regarding the medium of education until middle school?

Vernacular language Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Indian Universities Act of 1904 introduce?

It provided additional grants for higher education. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the roles of private partners in education as recommended in the report?

To support secondary education with government grants Signup and view all the answers

Which commission focused on the conditions of the University of Calcutta but had a nationwide scope?

Sadler Commission Signup and view all the answers

What was discouraged by the report concerning schools?

Missionary schools Signup and view all the answers

Which age was specified for vernacular language as the medium of education?

13 years Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of education received additional funding according to the 1904 policy?

Arts and liberal education colleges Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the Secondary Education Commission formed in 1952?

To assess the state and framework of secondary education in India. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following proposals was NOT recommended by the Kothari Commission?

The introduction of a common language at the primary level. Signup and view all the answers

How many chapters did the report prepared by the Secondary Education Commission contain?

14 Signup and view all the answers

What was the duration prescribed for secondary education by the Secondary Education Commission?

7 years Signup and view all the answers

Who chaired the Kothari Commission?

Daulat Singh Kothari Signup and view all the answers

Which language policy did the Secondary Education Commission advocate?

Three-language formula including Hindi, English, and a vernacular. Signup and view all the answers

What significant act was influenced by the Secondary Education Commission's recommendations?

The Language Act of 1963 Signup and view all the answers

When was the Kothari Commission's report submitted?

29 June 1966 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early History of English in India

English use in India began with the East India Company Charter of 1600
The British were primarily interested in trade, not rule
English was used for internal communication but Persian remained the official language for business
The spread of English was strategic, driven by the need for a workforce fluent in English
This was done through new laws, schools, and missionary activity, which made proficiency in English desirable

Charter of 1813

Education was included in the administrative policy of the Company in India
Missionary schools were promoted at a grassroots level to encourage broad education
The "mission" of the missionaries was to convert the native people to Christianity

Macaulay's Minutes on Education (1835)

Macaulay advocated for English as the official language, replacing Persian
He proposed diverting funding towards English education and closing down Orientalist institutions
The proposal was to use English to elevate Indians and focus on European education and literature
This initiative triggered significant controversy and opposition, facing significant resistance from Orientalists

Lord Auckland's Policy (1840)

Auckland's policy aimed at a balance by focusing on a combination of Oriental and English education initially
Funds were allocated for promoting research within Oriental studies and the translation of Western literature
This policy aimed at supporting existing Oriental institutions, too.

Wood's Dispatch (1854)

Significant moment in education; considered the Magna Carta of English education in India
Introduced further structure to the educational system in India
Promoted the advancement of British literature and liberal development of Indians
Created structures to provide better support for higher education

Hunter Commission (1882)

Commission focused on the state of primary education and the progress of the Wood's Despatch
Suggested primary education be managed by local governments and municipalities
Funds were allocated to rural and urban areas, while vernacular language remained the medium of instruction in the initial years
The report provided suggestions to use English in middle school onwards
It recommended private institutions to support secondary education via government grants

Lord Curzon's Commission (1902)

Curzon appointed a commission to improve university education in India
The policy was published as a government resolution
Emphasized the importance of primary education
Key aspects included introducing English as a subject at the middle school level
Improving quality learning, with specific emphasis on secondary education
Additional funds were sanctioned for the advancement of arts and liberal education across colleges

Sadler Commission (1917)

Sadler was appointed to examine the University of Calcutta's condition, and its outlook across India
The commission examined the condition and outlook of Universities nationwide
Its aim was to improve university conditions across India

Wardha Scheme (1938)

Mahatma Gandhi guided the establishment of the National Basic Education Scheme, also known as the Wardha Scheme
The scheme emphasized education at a local level, involving collective activity, self-reliance, dignity of labor, and emotional development within education practices
Compulsory, free education for children aged 6-14
The mother tongue is to be the medium of education until primary school
English can be introduced at primary level

Kothari Commission (1964/66)

A commission appointed to examine and advise on educational conditions
The commission recommended a three-language formula, incorporating the use of Hindi and English, and a third regional language at state levels in India
Crucial recommendations included making education accessible and free for children between the ages of 6 and 14
The commission encouraged education for marginalized groups and encouraged science and mathematical education

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the significant milestones in the usage of English in India, starting from the East India Company Charter of 1600 to Macaulay's Minutes on Education in 1835. Understand how English shifted from a tool for communication to an official language and the role of missionary schools in this transformation.