Education in Tamil Nadu before Independence: Role of Christian Missionaries | Tamil Nadu State PSC (TNPSC): Preparation - TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) PDF Download

 Page 1


27
Education during the ancient Period
‘Learn while young” -was the maxim of ancient days.  Many T amil
poets lived and worked for the promotion of education. During the
sangam period, the kings and the chieftains also composed many
poems.  The Sangam literature refers that the women excelled in various
arts like music, drama, dance etc.  Women poets like Avvaiyar,
Kakkaipadiniyar , Mudathamakanniyar lived during the sangam period.
The sangam rulers patronised education and during that time, primary
schools in villages functioned under the shades of a tree or in the temple.
There were also centres of higher education.   They were called Maths,
Pallis or Viharas.
Pallava period witnessed progress in the field of education. Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain educational institutions were established at centres
like Kancheepuram.  Kanchi was a great centre of ‘Sanskrit literature’.
Kailasanatha T emple was a store house of public documents.  Hiuen-
T sang a chinese piligirim visited Kancheepuram during the period of
Narasimhavarma Pallava.  It is said that  Dharmapala, the Chancellor
Page 2


27
Education during the ancient Period
‘Learn while young” -was the maxim of ancient days.  Many T amil
poets lived and worked for the promotion of education. During the
sangam period, the kings and the chieftains also composed many
poems.  The Sangam literature refers that the women excelled in various
arts like music, drama, dance etc.  Women poets like Avvaiyar,
Kakkaipadiniyar , Mudathamakanniyar lived during the sangam period.
The sangam rulers patronised education and during that time, primary
schools in villages functioned under the shades of a tree or in the temple.
There were also centres of higher education.   They were called Maths,
Pallis or Viharas.
Pallava period witnessed progress in the field of education. Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain educational institutions were established at centres
like Kancheepuram.  Kanchi was a great centre of ‘Sanskrit literature’.
Kailasanatha T emple was a store house of public documents.  Hiuen-
T sang a chinese piligirim visited Kancheepuram during the period of
Narasimhavarma Pallava.  It is said that  Dharmapala, the Chancellor
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
Page 3


27
Education during the ancient Period
‘Learn while young” -was the maxim of ancient days.  Many T amil
poets lived and worked for the promotion of education. During the
sangam period, the kings and the chieftains also composed many
poems.  The Sangam literature refers that the women excelled in various
arts like music, drama, dance etc.  Women poets like Avvaiyar,
Kakkaipadiniyar , Mudathamakanniyar lived during the sangam period.
The sangam rulers patronised education and during that time, primary
schools in villages functioned under the shades of a tree or in the temple.
There were also centres of higher education.   They were called Maths,
Pallis or Viharas.
Pallava period witnessed progress in the field of education. Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain educational institutions were established at centres
like Kancheepuram.  Kanchi was a great centre of ‘Sanskrit literature’.
Kailasanatha T emple was a store house of public documents.  Hiuen-
T sang a chinese piligirim visited Kancheepuram during the period of
Narasimhavarma Pallava.  It is said that  Dharmapala, the Chancellor
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
Page 4


27
Education during the ancient Period
‘Learn while young” -was the maxim of ancient days.  Many T amil
poets lived and worked for the promotion of education. During the
sangam period, the kings and the chieftains also composed many
poems.  The Sangam literature refers that the women excelled in various
arts like music, drama, dance etc.  Women poets like Avvaiyar,
Kakkaipadiniyar , Mudathamakanniyar lived during the sangam period.
The sangam rulers patronised education and during that time, primary
schools in villages functioned under the shades of a tree or in the temple.
There were also centres of higher education.   They were called Maths,
Pallis or Viharas.
Pallava period witnessed progress in the field of education. Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain educational institutions were established at centres
like Kancheepuram.  Kanchi was a great centre of ‘Sanskrit literature’.
Kailasanatha T emple was a store house of public documents.  Hiuen-
T sang a chinese piligirim visited Kancheepuram during the period of
Narasimhavarma Pallava.  It is said that  Dharmapala, the Chancellor
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
Education under British
The English East India Company for a long time hesitated to
concentrate on education.  This was because of lack of funds.  However
the condition began to change and a humble beginning was made by
the Charter Act of 1813.  It allotted annual expenditure of one lakh
rupees for the promotion of western education.  In continuation of
this, the School Book Society was founded in 1819.  Thomas Munro
became the Governor of Madras in 1820.  He argued that investment
on education will never be a waste.  In 1822 an Education Commission
was set up.  The Board of Public Instruction was started and public
schools were established in each district.  Schools at taluk level were
also encouraged.  During his tenure nearly 70 schools were established
in Madras Presidency.
became one of the subjects of study.  V ernacular schools were also
started.
The Board of Public Instruction was started in 1823 and Sir
A.J.Arbuthnot was the first Director of Public Instruction.
30
31
Filtration Theory:  The East India Company introduced the Filtration
Theory of education in1830.  Accordingly , the education was given to
higher class of people and they in turn had to impart education to the
common mass.  This theory proved to a failure because the education
did not reach the mass from the higher level.  The Madras Medical
school (1835) Madras Presidency School (1836) Madras Christian
School (1840) and Pachiyappas School (1841) served the needs of
the urban aristocrats. Except urban schools, other schools were
neglected .
Wood’s Despatch: The company realised its fault and reformed the
education through the famous despatch of Charles Wood in 1854.
The ‘W oods Despatch’ replaced the “Filtration theory”.  It aimed to
link all stages of education from primary education to college education.
It gave wider scope for spreading western knowledge. Under the
new scheme, district and taluk level schools were increased in number .
These schools gave education through mother tongue. The English
Charles W ood’s Despatch was called the Magna Carta of  Education.
By the middle of the 19
th
  century education had a steady growth.
The higher education took a definite shape.  The Medical School
functioning at Madras from 1835 grew into a Medical College in 1851.
The survey school grew into an
Engineering College at Madras in
1857.  The Presidency school
grew into the Presidency College.
It became the college for the
princess and barons.  The Act of
1857 created the Madras
University .  By 1859, it became a
full fledged university.  In the
second half of the 19
th
 century more colleges grew in Madras,
Coimbatore, Salem,Tiruchy , Madurai and Palayamkottai.
Hunter Commission:  In 1882, the Hunter commission enquired
the working of education.  It found out that there was a gross neglect
of primary education.  Rural Tamilnadu as in India suffered a total
neglect.  Hence Hunter Commission recommended to distribute the
responsibilities of education to Municipalities and District Boards.
Presidency College
In 1890 the Governor of Madras Lord Connemara established the
Connemara Library .
In 1891 the Law College was
established in Madras.  The
Annamalai University  was
established in 1929 by Raja Sir
Annamalai Chettiar.  Including
Marine Biology all other faculties
Annamalai University
were opened.   Hostel facilities for both students and staff were
Page 5


27
Education during the ancient Period
‘Learn while young” -was the maxim of ancient days.  Many T amil
poets lived and worked for the promotion of education. During the
sangam period, the kings and the chieftains also composed many
poems.  The Sangam literature refers that the women excelled in various
arts like music, drama, dance etc.  Women poets like Avvaiyar,
Kakkaipadiniyar , Mudathamakanniyar lived during the sangam period.
The sangam rulers patronised education and during that time, primary
schools in villages functioned under the shades of a tree or in the temple.
There were also centres of higher education.   They were called Maths,
Pallis or Viharas.
Pallava period witnessed progress in the field of education. Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain educational institutions were established at centres
like Kancheepuram.  Kanchi was a great centre of ‘Sanskrit literature’.
Kailasanatha T emple was a store house of public documents.  Hiuen-
T sang a chinese piligirim visited Kancheepuram during the period of
Narasimhavarma Pallava.  It is said that  Dharmapala, the Chancellor
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
28 29
of Nalanda university belonged to Kanchi.  Both Siva and V aishnava
Mutts encouraged the educational activities.   Viharas and Jaina pallis
propagated the Buddhist and Jaina system of philosophy.  Centres
like Ennayiram, Tribuveni, Kunrathur etc were some of the educational
centres of Imperial Cholas.
   Educational institutions were known as Salai in the Pandya  period.
They established educational Institutions at Kandallur salai (near
Trivandrum) and Parthipasekarapuram.  Under Raja Serfoji II, the
Maratha ruler of T anjore, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was established
in 1824.  Thus the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks and the Marathas
contributed for the development of education.  Through the Madrasas,
the Arabic and Persian education were imparted in T amilnadu.
Role of Christian Missionaries
After the Renaissance and Reformation movement in the 15
th
 and
16
th
 centuries, the Europeans like the Portuguese, the Dutch,the English
and the French visited India through sea route.  They began to spread
Christianity. They established missionary schools in various parts of
T amilnadu.
Growth of Christian Missionaries: It was the Portuguese who
started the religious services in T amilnadu during the 16
th
 century .  They
started the Society of Jesus.  Among the saints of this society, Father
Fernandus occupies an important place.  He started a church and a
school at Punnakayal in 1567.  The society of Jesus started more
schools and colleges in Chennai, Nagapatnam, Tiruchy and Dindugal.
The contribution of Jesuits of Madura Mission was remarkable.
Father Robert de Nobili a man of keen intellect arrived in 1605 and
reached Madurai in 1606 during the rule of Muthukrishnappa Nayak.
Sekkilar who wrote Periyapuranam belonged to
Kunrathur near Chennai.
He started the missionary activities in the south particularly in Madurai.
He styled himself as a Hindu sanyasi,. adopted the brahminical method
in spreading Christian ideologies to the people.  Another distinguished
personality of Madura Mission was John de Britto.  He went to Ramnad
and Pudukottai to spread christianity.  Father Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as V eeramamunivar served in the Mission
from 1711-1742.  He was the author of Thembavani, the famous
T amil literature. Besides he wrote grammar books and dictionaries in
T amil language.
The American Jaffna Mission was established in 1834.  It opened
more schools in Madurai, Dindugal and Ramanathapuram.  The Arcot
Mission was started in 1853 by Scudder Brothers of USA.  They
established hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  They were
more popular among the downtrodden people. They started V oorhees
college and many schools in Arcot districts.
In Chennai, Ignatious Loyola Mission founded the Loyola College.
Madras Christian College at Tambaram, Scott Christian College at
Nagarcoil, American College at Madurai, St.Joseph College at Tiruchi,
St.Xavier College at Palayamkottai, and W omen’s Chritisan college
at Chennai were founded to give education to people. More schools
and colleges were also founded in Chennai and Chenglepet.  The
Protestant missionaries had started schools and colleges in Chennai,
T anjore, Cuddalore, Tiruchy , Palayamkottai and Nagarcoil. The Basel
Mission provided employment to trained orphans.  It gave a new ray
of hope to the poor people.  The London Mission Society
concentrated mainly in  Nagarcoil , Neyyur and Palayamkottai.  It
gave more importance to the development of education.  The christian
missionaries were the first to introduce the western education in
Tamilnadu.  The missionary schools admitted the students from all
sections of people irrespective of caste and creed.  Thus the christian
missionaries in T amilnadu played a dominant role in the progress of
education.
Education under British
The English East India Company for a long time hesitated to
concentrate on education.  This was because of lack of funds.  However
the condition began to change and a humble beginning was made by
the Charter Act of 1813.  It allotted annual expenditure of one lakh
rupees for the promotion of western education.  In continuation of
this, the School Book Society was founded in 1819.  Thomas Munro
became the Governor of Madras in 1820.  He argued that investment
on education will never be a waste.  In 1822 an Education Commission
was set up.  The Board of Public Instruction was started and public
schools were established in each district.  Schools at taluk level were
also encouraged.  During his tenure nearly 70 schools were established
in Madras Presidency.
became one of the subjects of study.  V ernacular schools were also
started.
The Board of Public Instruction was started in 1823 and Sir
A.J.Arbuthnot was the first Director of Public Instruction.
30
31
Filtration Theory:  The East India Company introduced the Filtration
Theory of education in1830.  Accordingly , the education was given to
higher class of people and they in turn had to impart education to the
common mass.  This theory proved to a failure because the education
did not reach the mass from the higher level.  The Madras Medical
school (1835) Madras Presidency School (1836) Madras Christian
School (1840) and Pachiyappas School (1841) served the needs of
the urban aristocrats. Except urban schools, other schools were
neglected .
Wood’s Despatch: The company realised its fault and reformed the
education through the famous despatch of Charles Wood in 1854.
The ‘W oods Despatch’ replaced the “Filtration theory”.  It aimed to
link all stages of education from primary education to college education.
It gave wider scope for spreading western knowledge. Under the
new scheme, district and taluk level schools were increased in number .
These schools gave education through mother tongue. The English
Charles W ood’s Despatch was called the Magna Carta of  Education.
By the middle of the 19
th
  century education had a steady growth.
The higher education took a definite shape.  The Medical School
functioning at Madras from 1835 grew into a Medical College in 1851.
The survey school grew into an
Engineering College at Madras in
1857.  The Presidency school
grew into the Presidency College.
It became the college for the
princess and barons.  The Act of
1857 created the Madras
University .  By 1859, it became a
full fledged university.  In the
second half of the 19
th
 century more colleges grew in Madras,
Coimbatore, Salem,Tiruchy , Madurai and Palayamkottai.
Hunter Commission:  In 1882, the Hunter commission enquired
the working of education.  It found out that there was a gross neglect
of primary education.  Rural Tamilnadu as in India suffered a total
neglect.  Hence Hunter Commission recommended to distribute the
responsibilities of education to Municipalities and District Boards.
Presidency College
In 1890 the Governor of Madras Lord Connemara established the
Connemara Library .
In 1891 the Law College was
established in Madras.  The
Annamalai University  was
established in 1929 by Raja Sir
Annamalai Chettiar.  Including
Marine Biology all other faculties
Annamalai University
were opened.   Hostel facilities for both students and staff were
Education under British
The English East India Company for a long time hesitated to
concentrate on education.  This was because of lack of funds.  However
the condition began to change and a humble beginning was made by
the Charter Act of 1813.  It allotted annual expenditure of one lakh
rupees for the promotion of western education.  In continuation of
this, the School Book Society was founded in 1819.  Thomas Munro
became the Governor of Madras in 1820.  He argued that investment
on education will never be a waste.  In 1822 an Education Commission
was set up.  The Board of Public Instruction was started and public
schools were established in each district.  Schools at taluk level were
also encouraged.  During his tenure nearly 70 schools were established
in Madras Presidency.
became one of the subjects of study.  V ernacular schools were also
started.
The Board of Public Instruction was started in 1823 and Sir
A.J.Arbuthnot was the first Director of Public Instruction.
30
31
Filtration Theory:  The East India Company introduced the Filtration
Theory of education in1830.  Accordingly , the education was given to
higher class of people and they in turn had to impart education to the
common mass.  This theory proved to a failure because the education
did not reach the mass from the higher level.  The Madras Medical
school (1835) Madras Presidency School (1836) Madras Christian
School (1840) and Pachiyappas School (1841) served the needs of
the urban aristocrats. Except urban schools, other schools were
neglected .
Wood’s Despatch: The company realised its fault and reformed the
education through the famous despatch of Charles Wood in 1854.
The ‘W oods Despatch’ replaced the “Filtration theory”.  It aimed to
link all stages of education from primary education to college education.
It gave wider scope for spreading western knowledge. Under the
new scheme, district and taluk level schools were increased in number .
These schools gave education through mother tongue. The English
Charles W ood’s Despatch was called the Magna Carta of  Education.
By the middle of the 19
th
  century education had a steady growth.
The higher education took a definite shape.  The Medical School
functioning at Madras from 1835 grew into a Medical College in 1851.
The survey school grew into an
Engineering College at Madras in
1857.  The Presidency school
grew into the Presidency College.
It became the college for the
princess and barons.  The Act of
1857 created the Madras
University .  By 1859, it became a
full fledged university.  In the
second half of the 19
th
 century more colleges grew in Madras,
Coimbatore, Salem,Tiruchy , Madurai and Palayamkottai.
Hunter Commission:  In 1882, the Hunter commission enquired
the working of education.  It found out that there was a gross neglect
of primary education.  Rural Tamilnadu as in India suffered a total
neglect.  Hence Hunter Commission recommended to distribute the
responsibilities of education to Municipalities and District Boards.
Presidency College
In 1890 the Governor of Madras Lord Connemara established the
Connemara Library .
In 1891 the Law College was
established in Madras.  The
Annamalai University  was
established in 1929 by Raja Sir
Annamalai Chettiar.  Including
Marine Biology all other faculties
Annamalai University
were opened.   Hostel facilities for both students and staff were