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Home / IAS Preparation / Education Under British India

Education Under British India: Acts, Commissions, Growth Of Education, and More!

Last Updated on Nov 11, 2024
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Education under British India greatly impacted how people were educated. The British government made many rules and plans to change the education system. Education under British India meant the education system when the British ruled India. The British government wanted to modernize education and help with their administration. They made different acts and commissions for Education under British India. Some important ones were the Charter Act of 1813, Macauley's Minutes, and Wood's Despatch of 1854. The British wanted to teach Western science and literature in English during Education under British India. They made schools and colleges and chose some rich Indians to help the government and teach others. Education under British India had good and bad effects. It brought Western education but ignored the local Indian education. The British also tried to convert people to Christianity. 

In this article, we will learn about Education under British India. This forms a significant part of the UPSC IAS exam. UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Paper I have many questions on this topic. It is also an important topic for UPSC History Optional paper. Every year, over 5-7 questions on political history are in the question paper.

Learn more about the Indian education system’s problems!

About the Education System in British India

The education system in India underwent significant changes under British rule. The British introduced Western education to India. It had a profound impact on Indian society and culture. The new system of education was initially met with resistance from some traditionalists. However, it eventually gained widespread acceptance.

History of Education in British India

  • During the period of British rule in India, from the 18th century to the mid-20th century, the education system underwent significant changes. The British introduced a formal system of education in India. It had the objective of producing a class of Indians who would serve in administrative and clerical positions.
  • The initial focus of British education policies was on the education of British officials and missionaries. They established English-medium schools, known as "Anglo-vernacular" schools.
  • In 1835, Lord Macaulay introduced the English Education Act. This emphasized the promotion of English education in India. This act led to the establishment of English schools and colleges across the country.
  • The British also established universities in major cities like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. These universities followed the British model of education. However, access to higher education was limited to a small elite class.
  • The education system during British India was highly centralized and controlled by the colonial government. The curriculum was designed to promote British values.
  • The impact of British education on Indian society was mixed. 
    • On one hand, it provided Indians with exposure to modern ideas, science, and technology. It also laid the foundation for the development of a modern education system in India.
    • On the other hand, the British education system created a sense of inferiority among Indians towards their own culture. 

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Development in the Indian Education System During British Rule

Developments Before 1857

The Charter Act Of 1813

In 1813, there was an important law called the Charter Act. It was a big deal because it helped make education better in India. The British government set aside a specific amount of money, Rs.1 lakh every year, just to educate Indian people. At that time, Christian missionaries played a big role in educating the people. However, their main focus was on teaching religion and trying to convert people to Christianity.

Macauley's Minutes And The English Education Act Of 1835

In 1835, a man named Thomas Macauley made some important recommendations for education. He didn't think highly of Indian and Oriental literature and believed Western science was better. He once said that a single shelf of a good European library was worth more than all the literature of India and Arabia combined.

Here are the main ideas from his recommendations:

  • The government should use resources to teach Western science and literature in English only.
  • English should be the language used for teaching in schools and colleges.
  • More schools and colleges should be established at the district level, but elementary schools were not given much attention.
  • The British decided to educate a selected group of upper and middle-class Indians who would help communicate Western education to the wider population.
  • A report by a man named Adam showed the problems with the vernacular education system in Bengal and Bihar.

Wood's Despatch Of 1854

Wood's Despatch, also known as the 'Magna Carta of English education in India,' was a big plan for education in 1854. It asked the government to take responsibility for education and suggested giving grants to encourage private investment in education.

Here are the main ideas from this plan:

  • Use Indian languages in primary schools in villages.
  • Establish schools that teach both English and Indian languages.
  • Have colleges at the district level.
  • Create universities in important cities.
  • Encourage education for girls and vocational training.
  • Government schools should provide non-religious education.
  • During the time of Viceroy Mayo, Rajkot College and Mayo College were established to provide political training to Indian princes and elites.

Developments After 1857

Hunter Commission 

The Hunter Commission suggested that the government should work harder to improve mass education using Indian languages. Some of the ideas they had were:

  • Give control of primary education to new district and municipal boards.
  • Encourage education for girls in places outside of big cities.
  • Divide secondary education into two categories: one leading to university and the other for commercial jobs.

Raleigh Commission

Viceroy Curzon was worried that universities were producing students with revolutionary ideas. So, he set up the Raleigh Commission to review the university education system in India. Here are some of their recommendations:

  • Focus on studying and doing research at universities, not on political activities.
  • Reduce the number of fellows and let the government choose them.
  • Give the government the power to decide on important university matters.
  • Make affiliation rules stricter.

Learn more about Digital Education in India!

Benefits of the British Education System in India
  • British education introduced Indians to Western science, literature, philosophy, and technology. This helped to modernize Indian thought and culture.
  • The new system of education produced a growing Indian middle class that was familiar with Western culture and values. This middle class played a key role in the development of the Indian independence movement.
  • British education led to a significant increase in literacy rates in India.
  • British education exposed Indians to new ideas and concepts. This includes democracy, individual rights, and scientific inquiry. This helped to broaden their horizons and challenge traditional ways of thinking.
  • British education provided Indians with the skills and knowledge they needed to succeed in the modern economy. 

Learn more about the Education System in India!

Impact of British Education in India
  • British education played a major role in the modernization of Indian thought and culture. This was due to the introduction of Western ideas and concepts.
  • British education also contributed to the rise of Indian nationalism. This was due to the exposure of Indians to ideas of democracy, individual rights, and self-governance.
  • British education also led to the development of a new Indian literature. This literature was influenced by both Western and Indian traditions.
  • British education played a key role in the emergence of an Indian middle class. This middle class was the driving force behind the Indian independence movement.
  • British education increased social mobility in India. This was due to the fact that education became a means of achieving social status and economic advancement.

Learn more about Cultural And Educational Rights!

Issues with the British Education System in India
  • British education focused on Western subjects and neglected traditional Indian education. This led to a decline in the study of Sanskrit and other traditional Indian subjects.
  • Some critics argue that British education alienated Indians from their own culture. This was due to the emphasis on Western values and the downplaying of Indian traditions.
  • The new system of education benefited primarily the upper classes. This led to an increase in social inequality in India.
  • British education placed a strong emphasis on rote learning and memorization. This discouraged critical thinking and creativity.
  • The new system of education was not accessible to all Indians. This was due to factors such as poverty, social status, and geographical location.

Learn more about Vocational Education in India!

Conclusion

Education during British India went through many changes. The British introduced different acts and policies to improve the education system. The Charter Act of 1813 was the first step towards modernizing education. Christian missionaries taught people about religion but also wanted them to convert to Christianity. In 1835, Macauley's Minutes said that only English and Western subjects should be taught in schools. Wood's Despatch in 1854 suggested using Indian languages in primary schools and starting colleges and universities. Education under British India had good and bad points. They educated a few Indians to help with communication, but they didn't focus on educating everyone. Commissions like the Hunter and Raleigh Commissions wanted to improve education for more people. They created universities and colleges to give more opportunities. However, they didn't think Indian literature was important.

Overall, the education system in British India had strengths and weaknesses. They wanted to make education better and give chances to some Indians. But they forgot about mass education and didn't value Indian literature. The acts and policies during this time shaped education under British India. Education during British India had a big impact on the country.

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Education Under British India FAQs

Through acts like the Charter Act of 1813 and Wood's Despatch of 1854, the British introduced policies, funding, and language changes to modernize education.

Christian missionaries primarily focused on teaching religion and converting people to Christianity.

Macauley's Minutes emphasized teaching Western sciences and literature exclusively in English.

The British aimed to educate a select group of upper and middle-class Indians to act as intermediaries between the government and the masses

Wood's Despatch suggested using vernacular languages in primary schools, establishing colleges and universities, and promoting female education and vocational training.
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