British Impact on Education System in India

The British Rule came with a goal to modernize the Indian economy. The rise of the British in India brought new liberal notions from the Renaissance, Reformation, and different revolutions in Europe, such as equality, freedom, and human rights. These concepts influenced some members of Indian society, resulting in many reform movements around the country. The education system in India during British Rule and the press were two significant reasons for this transition. 

Education System in India Before British Rule

• In early times, education was parted by a guru who would teach all with a view 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 differed based on the job attached to their category
• As India faced the Mughal rule, education was greatly influenced by Islam 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
• Their goal was to produce a class of Indians who were “Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste,” and who would work as mediators between the Government and the general public

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 study 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

British Interventions :

• 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
• In this regard, the first Madarasa was opened at Calcutta by Warren Hastings
• This was followed by the formation of the Asiatic Society for Oriental Learning in 1784 by James  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 was introduced which implied the continuation of British Rule in India
• Under this Act, INR 1 lakh per year was allocated to education
• In 1835, the famous Macaulay Minute took place
• Thomas Babington Macaulay expressed the need to prioritise Western education and said that English needed to be taught more than Sanskrit or Arabic
• It was also in 1835 that the English Education Act was introduced which allocated funds to education
• This preference for English language continued and in 1844 English speakers were given better opportunities and preference
• In 1854, Charles Wood, a British official, sent a dispatch to Lord Dalhousie which suggested that vernacular languages should be taught till primary school,  then a combination of English and vernacular languages. Finally, only English should be taught in college
• 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 in 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 the 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

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.