The changes one could see in the Indian education system from the Vedic and the Buddhist period through the Islamic period to the British era had been vivid. The British came to India as traders and set up English-medium schools, through which they taught western science and literature. The Christian missionaries taught colonial education so that the Indians could be used for doing government clerical jobs.

Education System in India Before British Rule

• In early times, education was parted by a guru who taught his disciples to attain Moksha
• In this period, education was available to all and no restrictions were placed on it
• However, the lessons taught to each caste were different, based on the job attached to their category
• As India faced Mughal rule, education was greatly influenced by Islamic ideologies
• Muslims and Hindus were educated in pre-British times through Pathshalas, Tols, Madrasas, and Maktabs, where young students learned from religious texts and other ancient literature for various kinds of knowledge
• There was little awareness of scientific advances taking place around the world
• The arrival of the British gave rise to a new educational system

Individual Efforts under Company Rule 

The East India Company, a trading and profit-making company, had no interest in promoting education for the first 60 years of its control in India. Individual efforts made a few minor exceptions.

• In 1781, Warren Hastings founded the Calcutta Madrasah to teach Muslim law and associated subjects
• In 1791, Jonathan Duncan, a resident of Benaras, founded the Sanskrit College to study Hindu law and philosophy
• Wellesley established Fort William College in 1800 to instruct Company civil servants in Indian languages and traditions (closed in 1802)
• The Calcutta Madrasah and the Sanskrit College were established to provide a steady supply of trained Indians to assist in the administration of justice in the Company’s court, and knowledge of classical languages and vernaculars was advantageous in correspondence with Indian states

Education System In India During British Period 

• In 1771, Charles Grant recommended that English education be introduced in India, with English being the official language
• This suggestion was rejected due to the opposition faced by the British Raj, who didn’t want to cause more tensions
• However, this initiative made the British Raj pay attention to the education system in the country
• This was followed by the formation of the Asiatic Society for Oriental Learning in 1784 by James Mill, and the establishment of Benaras Sanskrit College in 1791
• In 1801, Fort William College, the first college for western education was set up
• In 1813, the Charter Act Of 1813 was introduced, which implied the continuation of British Rule in India. Under this Act, INR 1 lakh per year was allocated to education
• 1882 saw the Hunter Commission, which increased the quality of primary school education
• In 1904, the Indian Universities Act was introduced, which brought the government into decision-making for universities
• In 1917, the Sadler Commission helped improve the conditions of secondary education and establish autonomy in universities
• Finally, in 1944, the Sargent Scheme reconstructed the education system and helped in providing free education

Development of Technical Education

• Roorkee’s Engineering College was founded in 1847
• In 1856, the Calcutta College of Engineering was established
• In 1858, the Poona Overseers’ School was elevated to the status of Poona College of Engineering and became affiliated with Bombay University
• Madras University was connected with Guindy College of Engineering
• Medical education began in 1835 when a medical college was established in Calcutta
• Lord Curzon made significant contributions to broadening the scope of professional courses such as medicine, agriculture, engineering, and veterinary science. He founded an agriculture college in Pusa that served as a model for similar colleges in other regions

Indian universities act 1904

As the Indian universities act 1904 was a major reform in the Indian education system, several scholars and other members associated with universities proposed their opinions in various manners. For instance:

• The Sadler Commission 1917 criticised the Act for making universities largely governmental
• The nationalists further considered this act to strengthen imperialism and used this to subjugate the nationalist feeling. In addition, Gopal Krishna Gokhale named it the “retrograde measure” 
• After this, Lord Curzon used the reform to improve the area of Primary education. Most schools were provided with a generous amount of financial aid-from 40 Lakhs to 75 Lakhs-over the years of 1905-1912
• Perhaps the most welcome result of the Indian Universities Act 1904 was the introduction of the concept of government grants, which continues to be implemented till now

Conclusion

The British Raj has significantly influenced the Indian education system. Through many reforms and laws, the British changed the way of teaching in India. There was a great influence of the English language and Western education, which continues even today. The setting up of universities has been beneficial in increasing literacy among the population. Due to the British Raj, technical education, sciences and arts have been promoted in the country. Whether good or bad, the influence of Western education has been immense.