Civilising the “Nativeâ€, Educating the Nation
1. What was the primary objective of British education policies in India?
a) To create a system of education based on Indian traditions
b) To train Indians to become clerks and assist in administration
c) To promote Indian languages over English
d) To encourage scientific research in Indian universities
2. How did the British justify their educational reforms?
a) They believed that English education would civilise Indians
b) They wanted to preserve and promote Indian heritage
c) They aimed to establish a self-sufficient economy in India
d) They sought to strengthen the Mughal rule
3. What was the role of Christian missionaries in British educational reforms?
a) They set up schools to teach only Western science
b) They focused on improving moral education through Christianity
c) They were against all forms of British education in India
d) They collaborated with Indian reformers to promote Sanskrit education
4. How did the British view traditional Indian education systems?
a) They believed they were superior to Western education
b) They considered them outdated and lacking in practical value
c) They promoted them alongside English education
d) They aimed to integrate them with British educational policies
5. Which institution was established in 1781 to promote the study of Arabic and Persian?
a) Fort William College
b) Hindu College, Calcutta
c) Calcutta Madrasa
d) Banaras Sanskrit College
Answers & Explanations
1. b) To train Indians to become clerks and assist in administration – The British wanted to create a workforce to help them rule .
2. a) They believed that English education would civilise Indians – The British saw it as their mission to “civilise†the natives .
3. b) They focused on improving moral education through Christianity – Missionaries promoted Christian education .
4. b) They considered them outdated and lacking in practical value – The British criticized traditional Indian education as unscientific .
5. c) Calcutta Madrasa – It was established to promote Arabic and Persian studies .
How the British Saw Education
1. What was Thomas Macaulay’s view on Indian education?
a) He believed that Indian literature was valuable and must be preserved
b) He argued that English education should replace Oriental learning
c) He supported the continuation of traditional Indian schooling
d) He advocated for Sanskrit and Persian to be the medium of instruction
2. What was the main feature of the English Education Act of 1835?
a) It promoted the study of Sanskrit and Persian
b) It made English the medium of instruction for higher education
c) It introduced compulsory education for all Indians
d) It banned Indian students from learning English
3. What was the purpose of Wood’s Despatch of 1854?
a) To establish universities in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay
b) To promote Indian languages over English
c) To restrict education to the upper class
d) To introduce mass literacy programs
4. What was the British justification for focusing on European learning in India?
a) It would help Indians modernise and understand commerce
b) It would make Indians appreciate and support British rule
c) It was necessary for training British officials in India
d) It aimed to eliminate caste-based discrimination
5. What change was introduced in school education after 1854?
a) Teaching was based on oral traditions
b) Learning was tested through examinations
c) Schools were shut down in rural areas
d) Education was made free for all students
Answers & Explanations
1. b) He argued that English education should replace Oriental learning – Macaulay considered Indian literature inferior .
2. b) It made English the medium of instruction for higher education – The British promoted English over Indian languages .
3. a) To establish universities in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay – Wood’s Despatch led to the establishment of universities .
4. a) It would help Indians modernise and understand commerce – British education policies aimed at economic benefits .
5. b) Learning was tested through examinations – The British introduced formal education systems .
The Tradition of Orientalism
1. Who was William Jones?
a) A Mughal ruler who promoted Sanskrit studies
b) A British judge and linguist who studied Indian texts
c) A Christian missionary who translated the Bible into Indian languages
d) A scholar who opposed Orientalist studies
2. What was the Asiatic Society of Bengal?
a) A British trading company
b) A society promoting Western education in India
c) An organization founded by British scholars to study Indian heritage
d) A movement against British rule in India
3. Why did Orientalists like William Jones support the study of ancient Indian texts?
a) They believed India’s past contained valuable knowledge
b) They wanted to replace Indian education with British schooling
c) They aimed to prove that Indian civilisation was inferior
d) They sought to promote European philosophy in India
4. Which of the following institutions was set up to encourage Sanskrit studies?
a) Hindu College, Calcutta
b) Banaras Sanskrit College
c) Presidency College
d) Bombay University
5. What was the major criticism of Orientalist education by British officials like Macaulay?
a) It was too focused on science and commerce
b) It was outdated and lacked practical application
c) It was more advanced than Western education
d) It was opposed by Indian scholars
Answers & Explanations
1. b) A British judge and linguist who studied Indian texts – William Jones was a key figure in Orientalist studies .
2. c) An organization founded by British scholars to study Indian heritage – The Asiatic Society aimed to translate and document Indian texts .
3. a) They believed India’s past contained valuable knowledge – Orientalists respected ancient Indian culture .
4. b) Banaras Sanskrit College – It was established to promote Sanskrit learning .
5. b) It was outdated and lacked practical application – Macaulay argued that Indian literature was inferior to European knowledge .
