Question

What were the effects of the introduction of the Western Education in India?

Answer 1

Instructions: This is a 5 mark question and the answer to this question can be divided into five parts:

1. Introduction of Western education
2. What Indians learnt from European and American history
3. Influence of European philosophers
4. Inspiration from Western independent institutions
5. Growth of English as a link language.

Solution:

1. The British felt the need for educated Indians who would help them in the regular work of administration, so they introduced western education in India. Introduction of western education led to the birth of nationalism based on western ideals among educated Indians.
2. They were influenced by English, American and French revolutions and learnt that cruel and unjust kings could be deposed, foreign domination could be overthrown and ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality could be adopted.
3. The ideas put forward by European philosophers like Burke, Mill, Macaulay, Rousseau and Voltaire filled the Indian minds with nationalism.
4. Some Indians, during their stay in England, witnessed the working of the free and independent institutions such as the Parliament, courts etc. When they came back to India, they wanted to set up and organise similarly free and independent institutions in India.
5. English language became a link language as with the help of English people from different regions of India could communicate, cooperate and coordinate with each other.