NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Education And British Rule

Question: What were the views of other Company officials?

Answer. Other Company officials did not approve the ideas of the Orientalists. They began to criticize the Orientalist- vision of learning. They saved that the knowledge of the East was full of errors and unscientific thought. They saw Eastern literature as non-serious and light-heated. 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.

Question: Define the term “vernacular”. Why did the British use this term in colonial countries like India?

Answer: The term “Vernacular” refers to a local language or dialect as distinct from what is known as the standard language.

In colonial countries like India, the British used this term to mark the difference between the local languages of everyday use and English, the language of the imperial masters.

Question: What measures were taken by the English Education Act of 1835?

Answer: The following measures were taken under the English Education Act 1835:

1. English was made the medium of instruction for higher education.
2. Promotion of Oriental institutiohs like the Calcutta Madrasa and Benaras Sanskrit College was stopped. These institutions were seen as temples of darkness that were falling of themselves into decay.
3. English textbooks began to be produced for schools.

Question: What measures were taken by the British after issuing of Wood’s Despatch?

Answer: Following measures were taken:

1. Education departments of the government were set up to extend control over all matters regarding education.
2. A system of universities education was introduced. Universities were established in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay.
3. Attempts were also made to bring about changes within the system of school education.

Question: How were the views of Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi on the West different?

Answer: Both Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi thought about education in similar ways. But there were differences too. Gandhiji was highly critical of Western civilization and its worship of machines and technology. Tagore wanted to combine elements of modem Western civilization with what he saw as the best within Indian tradition. He emphasized the need to teach science and technology at Shantiniketan, along with art, music and dance.

Question: What was Wood’s Despatch? What were its provisions?

Answer: The Court of Directors of the East India Company in London sent an educational despatch to the Governor General in India in the year  1854. As the despatch was issued by Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control of the Company, it came to be known as Wood’s Despatch. ‘Wood’s Despatch outlined the educational policy that was to be followed in India. It criticized the Oriental knowledge and emphasized the need of European learning.

The Despatch made it clear that European learning would enable Indians to recognize the benefits that would flow from the expansion of trade and commerce. It would also make them see the importance of developing country’s resources. Indians needed to adopt European ways of life because this would change their tastes and desires and create a demand for British goods.

Wood’s Despatch further argued that European learning would improve the moral character of the people of India. It would make them honest and reliable and thus supply trusted civil servants to the Company.

The Despatch strongly criticized the literature of the East because it was full of errors and unable to instill in people a sense of duty and a commitment to work.