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Charles Grant: Observations

Charles Grant argues for introducing English education to Indians in order to remedy societal issues and introduce new ideas. He proposes establishing schools that teach English, where Indians could learn the language as well as subjects like science and philosophy. Grant believes this would undermine the fabric of erroneous beliefs and introduce Indians to new concepts of rational thought and duty. In time, English could become a common language used in business and administration across India as interest in the language grows.

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Cliford Corera
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192 views

Charles Grant: Observations

Charles Grant argues for introducing English education to Indians in order to remedy societal issues and introduce new ideas. He proposes establishing schools that teach English, where Indians could learn the language as well as subjects like science and philosophy. Grant believes this would undermine the fabric of erroneous beliefs and introduce Indians to new concepts of rational thought and duty. In time, English could become a common language used in business and administration across India as interest in the language grows.

Uploaded by

Cliford Corera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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J. JOHN SEKAR
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE

Observations
Charles Grant
Charles Grant
The earliest and the most extreme supporter of the Anglicist view is Charles Grant, a friend
of William Wilberforce. He wrote “Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic
Subjects of Great Britain, particularly with respect to Morals and the Means of Improving it”
in 1792. Charles Grant was sent to India in 1767 in a military capacity. He returned to Britain
in 1790 with a huge fortune. In 1802 he entered Parliament and became Chairman of the EIC
in 1805. He was an energetic member of the evangelical party known as the Clapham sect
that included Zachary, Macaulay, and Wilberforce. The following is the extract:
1. We now proceed to the main object of this work, for the sake of which the preceding
topics and discussions have been brought forward—an enquiry into the means of
remedying disorders, which have become thus inveterate in the state of society among
our Asiatic subjects, which destroy their happiness, and obstruct every species of
improvement among them.
2. The true cure of darkness, is the introduction of light. the Hindoors err, because they
are ignorant; and their errors have never fairly been laid before them. The
communication of our light and knowledge to them, would prove the best remedy for
their disorders; and this remedy is proposed, from a full conviction that if judiciously
and patiently applied, it would have great and happy effects upon them, effects
honourable and advantageous for us.
3. There are two ways of making this communication: the one is, by the medium of the
languages of those countries; the other is by means of our own. In general, when
foreign teachers have proposed to instruct the inhabitants of any country, they have
used the vernacular tongue of that people, for a natural and necessary reason, that they
could not hope to make any other mean of communication intelligible to them. This is
not our case in respect of our eastern dependencies. They are our own, we have
possessed them long, many Englishmen reside among the natives, our language is not
unknown there, and it is practicable to defuse it more widely.
4. The choice therefore of either mode, lies open to us; and we are at liberty to consider
which is entitled to a preference. Upon this subject, it is not intended to pass an
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exclusive decision here; the points absolutely to be contended for are, that we ought to
impart our superior lights.
5. Thus superior, in point of ultimate advantage does the employment of the English
language appear; and upon this ground, we give a preference to that mode, proposing
here that the communication of our knowledge shall be made by the medium of our
own language.
6. We proceed then to observe, that it is perfectly in the power of this country, by
degrees, to impart to the Hindoos our language; afterwards through that medium to
make them acquainted with our easy literary compositions, upon a variety of subjects;
and, let not the idea hastily excite derision, progressively with the simple elements of
our arts, our philosophy, and religion. These acquisitions would silently undermine
and at length subvert, the fabric of error.
7. The firs communication, and the instrument of introducing the rest, must be the
English language; this is a key which will open to them a world of new ideas.
8. It would be extremely easy for Government to establish, at a moderate expense in
various parts of the provinces, especially of the young, would flock to them; and the
easy books used in teaching, might at the same time convey obvious truths on
different subjects.
9. The teachers should be persons of knowledge, morals and discretion. The Hindoos
would, in time, become teachers of English themselves; and the employment of our
language in public business, for which every political reason remains in full force,
would, in the course of another generation, make it very general throughout the
country.
10. There is nothing wanting to the success of this plan, but the hearty patronage of
Government. If they wish it to succeed, it can and must succeed.
11. The introduction of English in the administration of the revenue, in judicial
proceedings, and in other business of Government, wherein Persian is now used, and
the establishment of free-schools for instruction in this language, would insure its
diffusion over the country, for the reason already suggested, that the interest of the
natives would induce them to acquire it.
12. With our language, much of our useful literature might, and would, in time be
communicated.
13. New views of duty as rational creatures would open upon them; and that mental
bondage in which they have long been holden would gradually dissolve.
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14. Except a few Brahmins, who consider the concealment of their learning as part of
their religion, the people are totally misled as to the system and phenomena of nature.
From the demonstration of the true cause of eclipse, the story of Ragoo and Ketoo, the
dragons, who when the sun and moon are obscured are supposed to be assaulting
them, a story which has hitherto been an article of religious faith, productive of
religious services among the Hindoos, would fall to the ground. The removal of one
pillar would weaken the fabric of falsehood; the discovery of one palpable error,
would open the mind to farther conviction.
15. But perhaps no acquisition in natural philosophy would so effectually enlighten the
mass of the people, as the introduction of the principles of mechanics, and their
application to agriculture and the useful arts.
16. Custom is the strongest law to them.

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