Question

Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was essential in India?

Answer 1

Instruction:

1. We will begin with Eastern knowledge base and the opinion of the British on it.
2. Next, we will look into criticisms put forward by James Mill.
3. And finally, we will look into the views of Thomas Macaulay and how it affected Indians.

Solution:
British officials started criticising the eastern knowledge base at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The two sharpest critics in this regard were:

James Mill: He was highly critical of the orient literature and emphasised that British educational initiatives should teach what is useful and practical. This would help in familiarising the Indians with the scientific and technical advances the West has achieved.

Thomas Macaulay: He considered European literature far superior to the native literature of India and emphasised the need to impart Western Education in English so that Indians could read some of the best literature the world had produced.​ His efforts led to the introduction of the English Education Act of 1835.