Development of Education During British Rule

Education has always been the tool to the gateway to attaining freedom. With the entry of the British Raj into India, the whole nation went into the phase of a revolutionary transformation set up in the education system. The unorthodox policies and approach of the British were initially opposed by some activists who believed that their conservative approach needed no intervention from the Britishers. The conventional practice of the Indian education system was focused on mass production of delivering a subordinate mindset to people. Initially, the prime motive of the British empire was to establish dominance and supremacy, but later they thought to bring some modifications and consider the education system of the country. This article has details on the Act of 1813, the education policy of 1835, and the role of Wood’s dispatch.

History Of Education Policies Imposed During The British Raj

The history of education policy in India under the British empire can be divided into two time periods. One is when India was under the rulership of the East India Company until 1857, and the second part was under the rulership of the British Crown after 1857.

In 1781,  Warren Hastings established the first educational organization under the East India Company in Calcutta for law studies.

In 1784, Willian Jones founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal to elaborate on the importance of studying the historical culture of India.

In 1791, Jonathan Duncan focused on the study and philosophies of Hindu law by establishing the Sanskrit college for the common people.

In 1800, Richard Wellesley, the designated Governor-General, founded the Fort William College for the preparation and training sessions of the civil servants working under the East India Company. This college was opened in Calcutta with a prime motive to keep the Indian language and customs in practice.  

The Charter Act Of 1813

The East India Company Act of 1813 is known as the Charter Act of 1813. The enactment of this Charter Act by the British can be termed as the first foot placed in improvising the structure and standard of the Indian education system.

The British Empire set aside the sum of 1 lakh rupees for the betterment and overall advancement of the Indian education system every year. During this period, Christian missionaries played the initiative to bring society’s change to the ground level. However, their teaching was not so advanced and still had the flavors of religious and social teachings. 

The English Education Act of 1835

In 1835, a sudden reform in the approach of education policy came up when Lord Thomas Macauley made a few statements which are referred to as “Downward Filtration Theory,” defining that there should be an education system that the privileged class of the society will only access in the English language. 

As per this policy, the Persian language practiced in the court hearings has been replaced with the English language. To date, English is the court language in India. The price of printing books and selling them was made cheaper if the books were in the English language. 

Monteseries and Convent schools received more funds than other schools because English was the first language. One engineering college was inaugurated in Roorkee along with the Bethune School

Wood’s Dispatch Of 1854

The Wood’s Dispatch Of 1854 is a comprehensive scheme to process the expansion of the education system in India at a large level. This plan forced the British government to take significant steps to improve the education standard and make education possible for every household, from beggars to the wealthiest business people. 

It introduced the hierarchical scheme implemented at different levels, from the elementary schools to the deemed universities. There were affiliations of colleges to Calcutta or Bombay’s presidency.  

Conclusion

The unorthodox policies and approach of the British were initially opposed by some activists who believed that their conservative approach needed no intervention from the Britishers. The conventional approach of the Indian education system was focused on mass production of delivering a subordinate mindset to people. English became the demand language from that time, and schools and universities adopted its usage as the medium of instruction and interaction. British Raj has helped India significantly by modernizing the education system and a more scientific and urban approach to learning.