The Charter Act of 1813 passed by the British Parliament was the first major step to introduce changes in the Indian system of education.

Question

Answer the following questions briefly:

The Charter Act of 1813 passed by the British Parliament was the first major step to introduce changes in the Indian system of education.

In this context discuss:

(a) The general directives issued to the Company in the Charter Act of 1813 and its inherent weakness

(b) The Great Debate over the content and medium of education

(c) The introduction and spread of Western education

Answer 1

(a) The Charter Act of 1813 directed the Company to spend 1 lakh rupees on the education of Indians. This was the first step taken by the British rulers towards the encouragement of the study of literature and science in India. The Charter Act, however.- did not lay down any specific guidelines. The money sanctioned for the education project lay untouched for 2 decades while a great controversy raged over the content and medium of education.

(b) One group favoured the promotion of traditional Indian learning through the medium of classical ( Sanskrit and Persian) and regional language. This group was known as the Orientalists. The other group led by Lord Macaulay (Law Member of the Governor General’* Council) insisted that Western education should be introduced and imparted.

(c) The government began to set up English medium schools and colleges for the education of a limited number of Indians. In 1844, English became the official language and the government announced that Indians educated in British schools would be given jobs in government services. This helped the spread of English education in India.