EDUCATION AND BRITISH RULE

C.

Q.1. Explain the controversy between the anglicists and Orientalists.

Ans: Anglicists and Orientalists were two groups of scholars who advocated different systems of
education in India.

Anglicists were the group of people who only believed in western education and thought that western
education in India should be taught using English as the medium of instruction.

On the other hand Orientalists are the people who advocated the study
of traditional Indian learning and western science using vernacular languages such as Sanskrit,
Arabic and Persian.

Q.2. State any three benefits of English education in India.

Ans: 1. English education did bring Indians into contact with rational and scientific ideas, and with
developments in science and technology.

2. Indians became familiar with the writings of great philosophers such as Rousseau, Thomas pain,
Voltaire, which inspired the Indian National Movement.

3. English emerged as the common language among educated Indians which helped to spread new
ideas among people living in different parts. It creates feeling of unity among them.

Q.3. What do you understand by National Council of Education?

Ans: 1. During the early 20th century, as a part of Swadeshi movement , our leaders of freedom
movement formed a National Council of Education as a revolt against the control of education by the
British.

2. In November 1905, a conference was held in Bengal to create an education system managed by
Indians.

3. Thus , The National Council Of Education was set up from the funds given by rich Indians. Many
national schools and colleges were set up both at primary and secondary level.

Q.4. Name some schools opened by the National leaders during the Swadeshi movement to
spread education among Indians?

Ans: 1. The Vidyapeeths at Banaras and Ahmedabad, 2. Visva Bharati University established by
Rabindranath Tagore at West Bengal, 3. Jamia Millia Islamia.

Q.5. What is Braille and why is it important?

Ans: Braille is a unique system of reading and writing by touch invented by Louise Braille in 1829
for blind people. Braille is important as it is very helpful in the education of the blind as it give them
a quick way to learn.

D.

Q.1. What do you understand by the Wood’s despatch? Why it is considered as an important
landmark in the history of Indian education?

Ans: In 1854, Sir Charles Wood sent a despatch with some recommendations to the Governor-
General of India, Lord Dalhousie with an intention of creating a properly articulated system of
education from primary to the university stage. This is famous as the Wood’s Despatch also known
as Magna Carta of Indian education .

It was an important landmark in the history of education in modern India. Because it

recommend-

1. Setting up of education departments in the main provinces

2. Universities to be set up in each of the presidency towns of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
3. Private schools and colleges were to be given government grants.
4. Indian Educational Service was to be introduced, which would recruit teacher for government
institutions all over India.
5. At least one government school was to be opened in every district.
6. Local Languages along with English were to be made the medium of instruction at the school
stage and English at the college stage.

Q.2.What were the reasons that the British government felt the need for a different kind of
education system in India?

Ans: The reasons were-

1. If educated Indians were employed, it would reduce the administrative costs and ensure loyalty of
Indians.

2. Through Modern education they wanted to glorify the British administration which would make
Indians reconcile to British rule.

3. Modern education would ensure the regular supply of qualified Indians to help in the administration of
law in the courts.

Q.3. Highlight the contribution of Sir Syed Ahmed khan in educating the Muslim?

Ans:

1. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Hidayatullah Khan and many other Muslim leaders felt that Islam
should be interpreted and brought in conformity with modern science and philosophy.
2. Sir Syed realized the importance of the study of English language and literature in enabling the
Muslims to progress socially and politically.
 3. With his initiative, the Mohammedan Anglo- Oriental College was founded in Aligarh in
1875 to combine the western system of education with Islamic values.
4. Soon this college became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920 and the movement of reform
started by Sir Syed is known as Aligarh Movement.

Q.4. According to your understanding, what were the major drawbacks of the English
education system introduced by the British?

Ans:

1. The growth of education was not uniform at all levels and more attention was paid to the
expansion of high schools and colleges
2. Primary schools were suffered because of the lack of funds.
3. Since English was the medium of instruction, common people did not benefit from it.
4. The spread of education was limited to the middle and the upper middle classes only. Majority of
masses still remained illiterate.
5. The British did not pay any attention to the education of women or promoting higher studies in
science and technology.

Q.5. How did the Swadeshi movement foster/promote the growth of national education.

OR

Q. Write about Contribution of Indian leaders towards the development of Education in India?

Ans:

1. The Swadeshi movement encourages Indians to boycott schools and colleges administered by the
British.
2. During the early 20th century, as a part of Swadeshi movement, our leaders of freedom
movement formed a National Council of Education as a revolt against the control of education
by the British.
3. Thus, The National Council of Education was set up from the funds given by rich Indians.
4. Many national schools and colleges were set up both at primary and secondary level by Indians.
The Vidyapeeths at Banaras and Ahmedabad, Visva Bharati University established by
Rabindranath Tagore at West Bengal, Jamia Millia Islamia are some good example.
5. The schools following the Nai Talim scheme of Gandhiji which helped students to be self-
reliant. Swadeshi movement helped in spreading awareness and enlightenment in India.

Inside question

Q.1. Under which Governor general English Education is formally introduced in India?

Ans: In 1835, under the Governor general William Bentinck.

Q.2. Who was the first Governor general of India?

Ans: Warren Hastings.

Q.3. Who were the different groups that felt the need for a fundamentally different kind of
education in India? OR Which social groups felt the need for education in India?

Ans: The different groups were-

1. The Christian missionaries who believed that modern education would undermine the faith of
the Indians in their own religion and lead them to adopt Christianity.
2. Many Indian social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy believed that modern education
was necessary for the eradication of social evils like Sati and opposition to widow
remarriage from Indian society.
3. The European commercial class hoped to expand the market for British goods through a class
of educated Indians.
4. The British government realized the need for education to administrate India through a class
of educated Indian.

Q.4. Write the steps taken by British administration towards/ to introduce Modern education
in India?

Ans:

1. A humble beginning was made by the Charter Act of 1813, which encourage learned
Indians and promote the study of modern sciences in India.
2. The Act directed the East India Company to set aside a sum of Rs 1 lakh for the purpose of
education in India.
3. Lord Macaulay first laid a foundation of English education in India by his famous
Macaulay’s Minutes.
4. English Education Act was introduced by the Governor General William Bentinck In
1835 which formally introduced the English education in India.
5. In 1844, a law was passed which stated that only those Indians who had knowledge of
English education would be eligible for government jobs.

Q.5. When was Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras established?

Ans: In 1857 after Wood’s dispatch.

Q.6. Which two British helped in flourish Indian indigenous system of education?

Ans: 1. In 1781, the first Governor General of India Warren Hastings set up the Calcutta Madrasa for the
study and teaching of Muslim laws.

2. In 1790, Jonathan Duncan who was a company’s resident at Varanasi, started a Sanskrit college for the study
of Hindu law and philosophy.

Q.7. When was Banaras Hindu University was founded?

Ans The Banaras Hindu University was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.

Q.8. Write a note on growth of science during the modern period.

Ans: 1. With the growth of modern education in India, people developed a scientific attitude and felt the need for
experimentations.

2. In ancient India, great progress was made in the fields of science and medicine. Aryabhata , Varahamihira,
Sushruta and Charaka were famous scientists and physicians.

3. However over a period of time science took a back seat and religion and theology gained more prominence.

4. A revival of scientific study once again took place under the British rule.

Q.9. Write the steps that helped in rediscovery of India’s past?

Ans: Toward 18th century many European scholars showed interest in India’s past and helped in its rediscovery.

1. William Jones started the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal and he also translate Kalidasa’s play
Abhijnanshakuntalam.
2. James Princep deciphered the ancient Brahni script which gave us clues about the Mauryan Empire .
3. Alexander Cunningham made a great contribution toward Indian archeological studies.
4. Indian reformers also helped revived the interest in ancient Indian literature.

Q.10. Write the contribution of Maharaja Sayajirao III toward the education in India?

Ans: 1. Maharaja Sayajirao III was the founder of Baroda College.

2. He took lots of steps to uplift the poor and spread education.

3. He wanted to ensure free and compulsory primary education besides patronising the study of fine arts. In 1906, he
became the first Indian ruler to introduce free and compulsory education

4. He had a rich collection of books, and established a network of libraries in towns and villages in his state.

Q.11. Who established Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara?

Ans: Pratap Singh Gaekwad, grandson of Maharaja Sayajirao established the University.

Q.12. Who was the First Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University?

Ans: Sultan Jahan Begum.

Q.13. What is swadeshi?

Ans: Swadeshi is a term which means indigenous or belong to ones’s own country.

Q.14. What is minutes?

Ans: A written record of an official proceeding or the notes recounting the transactions occurring at a meeting or
official conference.