Test: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation - 2 - UPSC MCQ

The correct option is C.
William Carey (17 August 1761 – 9 June 1834) was a British Christian missionary, Particular Baptist minister, translator, social reformer and cultural anthropologist who founded the Serampore College and the Serampore University, the first degree-awarding university in India.

The President of the Board of Control in England who sent a dispatch was Charles Wood.
- Charles Wood was a crucial figure in British governance.
- As the President of the Board of Control, he oversaw matters related to the British East India Company.
- Dispatches were official communications sent by the Board of Control to India.
- Wood's dispatches likely contained instructions, policies, or decisions affecting British India's administration.
- His role was significant in shaping British colonial policies and governance in India.

Munshi is the correct answer. A person who can read write and teach Persian is called Munshi.

The correct answer is:
- D: Thomas Babington Macaulay
Explanation:
Thomas Babington Macaulay made the statement that "A Single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia." This quote reflects the colonial attitudes prevalent during the British rule in India, where Western knowledge was often considered superior to indigenous knowledge and culture. Macaulay's views influenced educational policies in India, emphasizing the promotion of English education over traditional Indian languages and literature.

Lord Macaulay emphasized the need to teach English. Here's why:
- English was seen as a language that could help in the process of colonization and administration.
- It was believed that teaching English would create a class of people who were Indian in blood and color but English in taste, opinions, morals, and intellect.
- This move was intended to create a class of individuals who would serve as intermediaries between the British rulers and the Indian population.
Therefore, the correct answer is C: English.

Wood's Despatch, issued in 1854, was a significant educational policy in British India. It aimed to reorganize the Indian education system. Here's why statements 1 and 2 are true:
- Grants-in-Aid system: Wood's Despatch proposed the establishment of a Grants-in-Aid system where the government would provide financial assistance to private institutions.
- Establishment of universities: It recommended the establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras to promote higher education.
English as a medium of instruction was not specifically recommended in Wood's Despatch.

The correct answer is B: 1854.
- In 1854, the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London sent an educational dispatch to the Governor General in India.
- This dispatch aimed to reform and modernize the education system in India, emphasizing the need for a more practical and useful approach to education.
- It laid the foundation for the development of a structured education system that focused on providing practical knowledge and skills to the Indian population.
- The 1854 dispatch played a significant role in shaping the education policies in colonial India towards a more utilitarian and Western-oriented system.

• Warren Hastings was a suppoeter of the Orientalists, which we can clearly see in the image at Victoria Memorial in Calcutta.
• Here Warren Hastings figure is placed between the standing figure of a pandit and a seated munshi.

The famous university in the image is the University of Mumbai, which stands in the state of Maharashtra. Here's why C: Bombay is the correct answer:
- The university was established as per the recommendations of the Woods Dispatch.
- It was designed along the lines of London universities.
- The modern name of Bombay is Mumbai, hence the University of Mumbai is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The famous historian described in the clues is Thomas Babington Macaulay. Here's why:
- He criticized Orientalists' views on India.
- Macaulay believed in civilizing India.
- He opposed the British government's spending on Oriental learning.
- His views influenced British education policies in India.
Macaulay's Minute in 1835 advocated English education in India to create a class of anglicized Indians to serve the British Empire effectively. This policy significantly impacted Indian education and society during British rule.

The correct answer is:
- D: James Mill
Explanation:
- James Mill was a Scottish historian who criticized the Orientalists.
- He was known for his critical views on Orientalism, a field of study that focuses on the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
- James Mill's perspectives questioned the methodologies and biases of Orientalist scholars, contributing to a broader debate on the subject during his time.

The introduction of Western education brought with it ideas of democracy, liberty, fraternity among the minds of Indians because:
- Western education introduced new concepts and values.
- It emphasized principles like democracy, liberty, and fraternity.
- These ideas influenced the thinking of Indians positively.
- Western education played a significant role in shaping modern Indian society.
- It helped in spreading awareness about democratic ideals and fostering a sense of unity and progress.

The correct answer is B: Warren Hastings.
- Explanation:
- The image depicts Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal (1772–1785).
- Known for significant administrative reforms and establishing the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Calcutta.
- Hastings played a crucial role in shaping British rule in India during the East India Company era.
- His governance marked by controversial policies and actions, including his impeachment by the British Parliament.
Warren Hastings was a pivotal figure in British colonial history in India, consolidating British power and influence during the late 18th century.

The correct answer is C: Vernacular.
- Vernacular refers to a local language or dialect different from the standard language.
- In colonial India, the British used this term to distinguish local languages from English.
- It represents the everyday spoken language of a particular locality or group.
- Vernacular languages are often used informally and are specific to a region or community.

The English Education Act was introduced in India in 1835. Here's a concise explanation of why this is the correct answer:
- The English Education Act of 1835 was a significant legislative intervention by the British in India.
- It laid the foundation for a systematic educational system in India by promoting Western education.
- The Act aimed to impart Western knowledge and science to Indians and to create a class of people who would be "Indian in blood and color, but English in taste."
Therefore, the correct answer is C: 1835.

The correct answer is:
- Lord Macaulay
Lord Macaulay made this statement about the Calcutta Madrasa and Benares Sanskrit College. He played a significant role in promoting English education in India through his famous Minute on Indian Education in 1835. Macaulay advocated for Western education over traditional Indian learning systems. This move had a lasting impact on the education system in India, leading to the decline of traditional institutions like the Calcutta Madrasa and Benares Sanskrit College.

European learning aimed to improve the moral character of Indians by making them truthful and honest (Option B). Here's why:
- Truthfulness and Honesty: European education emphasized these values to cultivate moral character.
- Ethical Development: Teaching truthfulness and honesty was seen as crucial for personal integrity and societal progress.
- Cultural Influence: These virtues were considered essential in European societies and were thus imparted to Indians.
Ultimately, the focus was on fostering virtuous behavior for individual and societal betterment.

The correct answer is D: Francois Solvyn.
- Francois Solvyn was a Dutch painter who came to India in the late 18th century.
- The image depicts the everyday life of a village pathshala, showcasing his work.
- Solvyn's paintings often captured scenes of Indian life with meticulous detail.
- His style reflected the influence of European realism combined with a focus on Indian subjects.
- This painting is a testament to his skill in depicting the cultural nuances of Indian life during that time.

The college established by William Carey on the banks of the river Hooghly near Calcutta is Serampore College. Here's a concise explanation of why this is the correct answer:
- William Carey, a renowned English Baptist missionary, played a significant role in the establishment of Serampore College.
- Serampore College, located in Serampore, West Bengal, India, was founded in 1818 by Carey along with Joshua Marshman and William Ward.
- This educational institution became a significant center for learning and played a crucial role in the spread of education and knowledge in the region.

• British officials had criticised the Orientalist vision of learning. T
• hey said that the knowledge of the East was full of errors and unscientific thought.
• They saw Eastern literature as non-serious and light-hearted.
• So they argued that it was wrong on the part of the British to spend so much effort in encouraging the study of Arabic and Sanskrit language and literature.