WBBSE Notes For Class 8 History Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority

Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Background

English East India Company was founded in 1600 A.D. This company made its trade centres in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Gradually the ‘Presidency system’ was made with the help of these trade centres.

The company also set up trade centres in Musolipattanam (1611), Surat (1612), Madras (1639) etc. within 1639 company set up ‘St. George Fort’ in Madras and got the Diwani right of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa in 1765. Bombay had become the administrative centre of the company in 1687.

Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Establishment Of Colonial Rule

The battle of Plassey was a great landmark in the establishment of British Colonial rule in Bengal. Sir Jadunath Sarkar wrote, “The battle of Plassey ended Muslim rule in Bengal and foreign master of the sword had become its king-maker”.

Factors Consolidated To The Colonial Rule Were

1. After the battle of Buxer and granting of Diwani’s Rights (1765), Company became the absolute authority in both of politics and the economy in India.
2. The weakness of the Mughal Empire greatly helped the British company to restore power. Mughal Emperor created the posts of ‘Subedar’ or ‘Nizam’ and ‘Diwan’. Though they had separate duties sometimes it gets help and advice from each other.
3. After the Diwani Right Company appointed Reza Khan as the ‘Naib-i-Diwan’ or tax collector of Bengal and Sitab Roy of Bihar.
4. Maintaining of law and order i.e., ‘Nizamat-right also came to the control under from the hand of Mirzafar’s second son Nizam-ud-daullah.
5. Clive became the supreme authority of the administration, military, economy and politics of Bengal. Historians called this diplomatic victory as “Legal fiction”.
6. The establishment of diarchy (dual govt) in 20th Feb. 1765 A. D. was the initial stage of the foundation of Colonial rule in Bengal when Nawab Nizam-ud-daullah transferred administrative and military power to the hands of the Company.
7.  Mughal emperor Shah Alam II was the nominal head and the nawab of Bengal became a puppet ruler to the hands of the British. Thus “Puppet system” was introduced in Bengal. Dr Nandalal Chatterjee said that it made the company the real head and the nawab of Bengal, the nominal head. Sir Ramsey Moore remarked that the dual govt empowered colonial rule.
8. According to the Regulating Act (1773) governor of Bengal was awarded with the title ‘governor general’. The Supreme Court of Calcutta also was established in 1774 after passing the regulating act. Its first Chief Justice was Sir Eliza Impee.
9.  ‘Pitt’s India Act (1784) was considered building ‘The Board of Control’ and ‘Board of Directors, the two important organisations of the company. The ‘Court of Proprietors’ lost its power and prestige. ‘Tribunal court’ was formed under the control of ‘Commander-in-Chief’.

Clive was the first founder of Colonial rule in Bengal. After granting the Diwani Rights company got only the matter of the Diwani case. Fauzdari’s case was not under their control. The Regulating Act was passed in 1773 A.D.

It was the first step of the transfer of power from the Company to the British government.

This Act settled three things

1.  It settled the relationship of the Company’s partners with the directors.
2.  It extended the influence of the British Parliament over the Company.
3.  It settled the relationship of Bengal with the forts of Bombay and Madras. Pitt’s India Act of 1784: By this India Act of the Chief Minister of England Pitt, the government’s control was reimposed upon the Company.

By this Act, A ‘Board of Control’ was set up with 6 Commissioners. It was to supervise the work of the Court of Directors. But the Pitt’s India Act had not separated the power between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors.

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Consequently, many problems were created. So the Act was not completely successful. Following the Act, the first Charter Act was passed in 1793 A. D.

Regulating Act:

The Regulating Act was passed by Lord North in 1773 A.D. It was the first step of the transfer of power from the Company to the British government. The government made the Company responsible for the famine of 1770 A.D.

And passed this act by dismissing many of the despotic Company officials.

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This Act settled three things

1. It settled the relationship of the Company’s partners with the directors.
2. It extended the influence of the British Parliament over the Company.
3. It settled the relationship of Bengal with the forts of Bombay and Madras.

By this Act, the shareholder of 1000 pounds. (instead of the earlier 500 pounds) were given the power to vote. The 3, 6 and 10,000 pounded shareholders got the right over 2, 3 and 4 votes. The director was elected for 4 years.

Every year 6 out of 24 directors would resign and new directors would take the place of the old. The governor of Bengal was titled as the ‘Governor-General’. The council working under him had a tenure of 5 years.

The first Supreme Court was established in Calcutta by the Regulating Act. Sir Eliza Impee was its chief judge. But practically the Regulating Act was not very successful.

Pitt’s India Act:

As the Regulating Act was not successful and problems were increased, Lord North made some recommendations to change the Company’s rule, and the Pitt’s India Act was passed on its basis.

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By this Government of India Act of the Chief Minister of England William Pitt,

1. The government’s control was reimposed upon the Company.
2. ‘Board of Control’ was set up with 6 Commissioners. It was to supervise the work of the Court of Directors.
3.  It received the power to inspect on all the papers of the company.
4.  It did not have any influence on trade.
5. The Board could inform the about its order to the company through “Secret Committee”. As a result the power of the ‘Court of Proprietors’ was curbed.
6. The members of the Governor General’s Council were reduced in number from 4 to 3.
7.  It was also said that a tribunal will be formed to investigate on the amount of money taken from India by the Company officials and also to judge the
8. guilty officers.
9.  The Governor General was entrusted with the duty of the commander-in-chief.

But the Pitt’s India Act had not separated the power between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors. Consequently, many problems were created. So the Act was not completely successful. Following the Act, the first Charter Act was passed in 1793 A.D.

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Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Charter Act Of 1813 A.D

The Charter Act was passed first in 1793 A.D., but the 2nd charter act was passed to understand the exact position of the Company in India in 1813 A.D.

1. This Act ended the monopoly of the East India Company in India. As a result, the Indian markets were opened to all other merchants of Europe.
2.  It is also said that the Company should separate its income from trade and from land revenue.
3. The income would be spent for military and non-military purposes.
4.  It was said that the Government would give an amount of 1 lakh of rupees annually for the development of literature and science in India.
5. The Christian missionaries were allowed to preach their religion in India.
6. This Act also stated that the approval of the British Government was compulsory regarding the appointment of Governor-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

This Act was to be renewed after every 20 years. Accordingly, the Charter Act of 1833 A.D. and 1853 A.D. changed, improved and developed the earlier ones.

Of all these Acts, the Charter Act of 1833 A.D. was known as a ‘Charter of laissez fair, due to its constitutional and economic significance.

Civil Service:

At the beginning of the establishment of Colonial rule in India, there was no civil service in the structure of the company’s administration. The company’s officials were the helping hand of the company’s rule in India.

Lord Cornwallis was called “the father of Indian Civil Service”. Historian K. K. R. Shastry said that Directors nominated I. C. S. from their own relatives.

 

Dr Kali Kinkar Datta remarked that Fort William College as “the sacred college of sons and nephews.” Civil Services could be regarded as a historical product, which had a vital role in the expansion of the British Empire in India.

Lord Macaulay remarked, “the character of the Governor-General was less important than the character and spirit of the Servants (civil) by whom the administration of India was carried on.”

The British Civil Servants totally crushed the self-respect and national feeling of the Indians. At the time the British Civilians or Bureaucrats were both mechanical and insensitive and had no higher academic qualifications.

This type of employee were in four categories, such as

1. Senior merchants.
2. Junior merchants.
3. Factors, and
4. Writers.

According to H. H. Dodwell a junior merchant used to be promoted as a factor or writer. Initially, the Directors used to select the company’s officials.

But by the Regulation of 1731, it was stated that the willing candidates must have to present before the Directors. Lord Clive paid attention to the Civil Service in India first but Cornwallis was the real founder of the Indian Civil Service.

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His policy of Europeanisation in the Civil Services was totally a bane for the people of India as they could not be appointed in highly respectable posts. Wellesley founded Fort William College in Calcutta on 24 November 1800 A. D.

For the training of the Civil Servants. Similarly, Haileybury College in London was founded in 1806 A. D. for the same purpose. By the charter acts of 1813 and 1833, it was stated that educational qualification must be treated as the sole basis for recruitment in Civil Services.

Sir Charles Wood allowed Indians entry into the Civil Services by passing the Charter Act of 1853, through an open competitive examination. The age was fixed in to 18 to 23 for the examination.

There was not a single one Indian in the Civil Service of the Company up to 1857 A. D. The Civil Service was a “steel frame” of British rule.

Army

Another important organ of the colonial rule of the company was an army. It was necessary for the growth of the company’s empire and trade. The army played a decisive role in conquering the native states of India and as well as suppressing internal revolts.

Dodwell said that the army officers were 87 in 1750, which increased to 412 in 1775 and 652 in 1800 A. D. In 1800 A. D. ‘Special Cadets Company’ was built. Later military officers were divided into Colonel, Lt Colonel and Major.

The condition of soldiers in India was very bad and painful. Indian soldiers were not so good. They were exploited by various means, though the Indian soldiers were more than the European soldiers.

In 1857, 2,65,900 were Indian soldiers, out of 3,11,400 soldiers in the army of the company. The British soldiers were less in number and were paid high salaries. The number of Gorkha Regiments was increased before the revolt of 1857 A. D.

Judicial Organisation

In the time of his governor generalship (1772-85),, Warren Hastings reformed both Diwani and Fauzdari Courts.

Reforms are as

1. A civil and Diwani or a Fauzdari Court was built in each district. The District Collector was given the responsibility of the Diwani Court and a local chief was given Fauzdari activities.
2. “Sadar Diwani Adalat” and “Sadar Nizamat Adalat” were built in Calcutta to judge both civil and criminal offenders.
3. The Judges were given good salaries so that they can never be corrupted.
4. To compile Hindu-Muslim laws and customs ten Hindu Scholars Muslim Kaji and Mufti were appointed for the codification of laws.
5. Village Diwani and Fauzdari Courts were built under the supervision of the “Committee of Circuit”.

British observers were appointed for each and every court. The Supreme Court of Calcutta was founded in 1774 A.D. Its first Chief Judge was Sir Eliza Impee. Magistrates were given judicial responsibilities.

The District Judges supervised the Civil Court. There were the appeal courts where common people used to appeal against the district judges and its superintendent.

The last appeal adalat against civil and criminal cases was the ‘Sadar Diwani’ and ‘Sadar Nizamat’ courts. Corpwallis codified a law book known as the ‘Cornwallis Code’ (1793) consisting of new legislative laws.

Some ‘Petty Courts’ were formed in the big towers and cities. Bentinck abolished the system of mobile courts and regional appellate courts for the speedy disposal of cases. The Persian Language was the court language so far.

He first introduced the ‘Indian Penal Code’ written by Macaulay. He also set up Sadar Court for the interest of the common people.

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Police:

The most important aspect of the colonial administrative structure was the Cornwallis Police organisation who first set up it. He brought drastic changes in this department.

Such as

1. A separate Police department was formed.
2. Each district was divided into some Police stations.
3. A Police Superintendent was appointed to each police station, under whom many constables were kept.
4. The Police Superintendents of each district must have to be responsible to their ‘District Magistrate’.
5. 10% of the recaptured properties must be given to Police Superintendent to encourage and be responsible for him.

Historian Percival Spear remarked “The Constructive work of Cornwallis was one of which any man might have been proud”.-(Oxford History of India, Page-94.).

As a colonial ruler, Dalhousie adopted his administrative reforms which were more important than others. To rule properly he implemented a lot of executive reforms.

Such as

1. The governor-general of India too occupied the power and responsibilities of the governor of Bengal. But he could follow the Act of 1853 and appoint Lt
2. Governor as the administrative head of Bengal.
3. He founded two headquarters for the Colonial Govt in Şimla and Calcutta respectively.
4. A province was divided into some districts under the control of “Deputy Commissioner”.
5. He rejected the policy of Election and started Competitive Examination to recruit government officials.
6. For the making of laws Dalhousie formed ‘The Central Legislative Council’.

“The Rule of Law” or equality on the eyes of the law was introduced in colonial rule. It means everyone must have to abide the law and no one is above it. The concept of “Equality before the law” is the main basis of the rule of law.

It was first introduced in England after the ‘Glorious revolution’ (1688). The rule of law gave pure and fair judgement to the Indians.

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Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Reforms Of Bentinck

During the regime of Lord William Bentinck (1828-35 A.D.), it is a glorious chapter in Indian History. He was inspired by the ‘Utilitarian theory’ by Mill and Bentham and developed himself in the reform works.

He thought himself responsible to make the Indians modern through reforms. He took up many programmes for humanitarian reforms in the fields of conservatism, society education, administration etc. of India.

Sir Alfred Lyall said, “……It was an era of liberal and civilising administration, of quiet material progress and some important moral and educational reforms.”

Bentinck took up many reform programmes in the fields of economy, administration, judiciary, society and education.

Lord William Bentinck

1. Economic reforms:

Bentick adopted the policy of cost curtailment and an increase in land revenue. Because, before him, during the regime of Lord Hastings and Lord Amherst, the treasury of the Company was almost empty due to continuous wars and battles.

So for the improvement of economic condition, he took up the following measures:

1. Reduced the salaries of the civil servants.
2. Reduced the allowances and other benefits of the military personnel of Bengal.
3. Appointed the Indians on higher posts on minimum salary, thus saving a lot of money.
4. Issued licences to the opium traders of Malwa, Bihar and Banaras and collected revenues by imposing taxes on them.
5. Many Mughal rulers donated tax-free lands to some zamindars. Bentinck, by inquiry, imposed taxes on those who could not produce any record or
6. document. Thus he earned about Rs. 30 lacs as revenue.
7. During his time, Robert Bird introduced a new form of taxation in Uttar Pradesh and in the North-West border for collecting more money as revenue. By such economic reform, Bentinck was able to wipe off the deficit of Rs. 1 crore and made a surplus of Rs. 1-5 crore in the treasury.

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2. Administrative reform

Bentinck reformed many loopholes in the judiciary and administration of the company.

1.  Cornwallis used to appoint only Europeans in high Posts of administration. Bentinck changed this system and started giving appointments to the Indians in those posts.
2. Set up a ‘Board of Revenue’ for smooth collection of revenues in the North-West border.
3.  Bentinck kept under his control the post of commander-in-chief besides his own post as Governor General.
4.  Bentinck combined the posts of District Collector and District Magistrate into one single post.
5. The number of advocate members was increased in the working council of the Governor General. Lord Macaulay was the first to be appointed as a law member.

3. Reform of the Judicial System

1. He abolished the system of mobile court and regional appellate court for speedy disposal of cases.
2. The Persian Language was the court language so far. He introduced a simple mother tongue instead of Persie.
3. For gaining the support of the Indians, he handed over the judiciary powers to the Indians and also raised their remunerations. (d) He entrusted upon one man to discharge the duties of the District Collector as well as the District Magistrate.
4. He first introduced the ‘Indian Penal Code’ written by Macaulay. He also set up Sadar Court for the interest of the common people. Dr V. A. Smith said, “It was Bentinck who first built up an efficient framework of administration.”

4. Social reform.:

Bentick is still remembered from some social reforms made by him. Some of such main reforms were:

1. Bentinck took a positive legal step against the system where the widow was burnt alive along with her dead husband’s cremation. This he did with the request from Rammohan. At first Regulation XVII was passed against this obnoxious system of ‘burning of sati’ based on this, Bentinck amended this act in 1829 A.D.
2. The forest of Delhi and Central India was inflicted by Thagi dacoits. They used to loot and kill people indiscriminately. Bentinck engaged Col. Slimann and subdued all these dacoits within 1830 A.D. He also subdued the Pindari Dacoits.
3. There was a system in the Rajput race in Kathiabar and Rajputana that a female child had to be executed. Bentinck abolished this system and ordered to give death sentence to anybody who would kill his female child.
4.  A wild tribal race of Orissa used to do human execution in front of their gods to satisfy them. He also banned this system.

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5. Educational reform:

During the reign of Bentinck, the influence of western education flourished. The Company was supposed to spend Rs. 1 lac per year towards the improvement of education in India as per the ‘Charter Act’ of 1813 A.D.

But it was not possible due to internal conflict between the East and the West. Bentinck decided to spend this sum with the advice of the Indians. The education secretary Lord Macaulay published the ‘Macaulay Minute’ in 1835 A.D.

For the expansion of knowledge and western language in India, as per the recommendation, of the General Committee of Public Instructions and according to charter Act, 1833 A.D.

As per the recommendation, The Calcutta Medical and Bombay Elphinstone Institution were formed in 1835 A.D. In this way, Bentinck became very popular and famous for his different public welfare activities in the post-Cornwallis period.

Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Different Land Revenue Systems Of The Company In India

At the very outset of the company regime, whole of India including Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, was an agriculture-based country. Dr Rajani Palme Dutta thinks that modern England has been flourished from the land revenues of this country.

So, due to the eagerness of the British and the active part of the Company, different land revenue policies were taken up. After Bengal, Bihar and Orissa got the Diwani (1765 A.D.), the income of the company increased to a great extent.

In 1765-66 A.D. the land revenue collected was Rs. 1 crore 20 lacs. Later it increased to Rs. 2 crores 40 lacs. Dewan Reza Khan and Sitab Rai used to collect huge revenues from Bengal and Orissa respectively by coercion and exploitation.

At this time, the condition of the Bengali farmers became worse as Clive introduced duel ruling. After Clive, Verelest (1767-69 A.D.) and Cartier (1770 A.D.) did not even try to improve the coerced way of collecting land revenue.

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Land revenue policy of Warren Hastings:

The company formed ‘Comptrolling Councils of Revenue’ in Patna and Murshidabad in July 1770 A.D. with the purpose of retrenching the corrupted employees. Similarly, he formed the Comptrolling Committee of Revenue in Calcutta in April 1771 A.d.

The ‘Court of Directors’ of the company ordered the principal officers in Calcutta to recover the condition of famine-stricken Bengal. Under this circumstances, Lord Warren Hastings was sent to Bengal as governor (1772-85 A.D.).

Lord Warren Hastings

 

After being governor he immediately sacked Reza Khan and Slitab Ray and appointed a special class of employees known as ‘Collector’. A ‘Board of Revenue’ was formed to determine how much revenue they would collect.

Under this Board, there was a ‘Committee of Circuit’. Warren Hastings introduced the ‘Five-year settlement from 1772-77 A.D. It visited each district and the ‘Committee of Circuit’ was given the responsibility to allot land through an auction for a tenure of five years. In 1773 A.D. a change was made in the revenue system by the ‘Regulating Act’.

‘Hastings-Barwel’ Project was made in 1775 A.D. Middleton Decars supported it. Ultimately the five-point system was nullified due to some disadvantages and a One-year settlement was introduced in 1775 A.D.

Even before the end of the five-year settlement system. Warren Hastings appointed the ‘Amini Commission’ in 1776 A.D. Neither a Five-year settlement nor One-year settlement was introduced in 1775 A.D. even before the expiry of the Five-year settlement.

Wbbse Class 8th History Notes

Both Five year and One-year settlements could improve the condition of the peasants. Because, under this system, nobody thought of the improvement of land. Rather they were much more involved in accounts of the revenue.

Under this system, the peasants and the farmers were the most sufferers. This was due to the fact that new coming zamindars used to take huge rents from the peasants and fled away without paying revenues to the Company.

Land revenue policy of Lord Cornwallis:

Cornwallis changed the system of land revenue. Sir Henry Dandus, the President of Pitt’s India Act (1784 A.D.) The Court of Directors and Board of Control advised him to reform the land revenue and to introduce a permanent settlement.

Lord Cornwallis

He enquired about the land revenue in 1786- 89 A.D. At last, he introduced the ‘Ten-year settlement’ in Bengal and Bihar in 1789 A.D. and in Orissa in 1790 A.D.

To make this system permanent, he discussed the matter with Charles Grant, John Shore, Phillip Francis, Thornton etc. This permanent settlement became legalised when the Court of Directors sanctioned it.

Chapter 3 Establishment Of Colonial Authority Expansion Of Western Education In India Picture Of Western And Native Education

Western education did not expand in India before the Nineteenth Century. At that time, there were Pathsalas and Chatuspathi for lower education for the Hindus and tools were for higher education.

In 1800 A.D. a survey was conducted by Adams, the friend of Rammohan and observed that there were on average 100 tols in every district. Ward informed in 1803 A.D. that there was a pathshala in every village of Bengal.

The subjects like literature, grammar, Purana, tantra and logic, medicine, astrology, Sanskrit etc.. were taught in those institutions. On the other side, there were Maqtabs and Madrasas for giving primary education to Muslims.

Here Arabian and Persian and the Koran were taught. The subjects like Mathematics, Practical science, History, Economics, Politics etc. were not taught in those institutions of the Hindus and the Muslims.

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These educational institutions were suffering from serious financial crises due to the non-receipt of army grants of aid. The Government was totally ignorant about the improvement of education.

The interest of western education by Scholars :

At first, the East India Company did not show any interest towards the expansion of western education in India. They were anxious for the adverse reaction if western education would have been introduced.

So Warren Hastings had a very high impression about oriental education. He took the initiative for the culture of the native language as well as the oriental education.

 

Warren Hastings formed ‘Calcutta Madrasah’ with the requests of the Muslims in 1781. A.D. Sir William Jones founded the Asiatic Society in 1784 A.D. Orientalists like Farsi Scholar William Wilkins, Hores Heyman Wilson, Nathaniel Halhed etc. were with him.

Charles Wilkins invented the Bengali type in 1778 A.D. With this, the first Bengali grammar was published by Halthed. Jonathan Duncan founded ‘Benaras Sanskrit College’ in 1792 A.D.

Able to know many things from the books like ‘Pratapaditya Charitra’ and ‘Lipimala’ written by Ram Ram Basu, ‘Rajabali’ and ‘Prabodhchandrika’ written by Mrityunjoy Tarkalankar, Tota Kahini by Chandi Charan Munshi, ‘Raja Krishnachandra Rayasya Charitram’ by Lochan Mukherjee etc.

These persons were famous scholars and teachers of Fort William College. Lord Wellesley founded Fort William College in 1800 A.D. for making the Company employees aware of the Indian language etc.

For the sake of administration. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that for the same cause, ‘The Hailebury College’ was founded in England.

 

The Company employees were able to Know many things from the books like ‘Pratapaditya Charitra’ and ‘Lipimala’ written by Ram Ram Basu, ‘Rajabali’ and ‘Prabodhuchandrika’ written by Mrityunjoy Tarkalankar, Tota Kahini by Chandi Charan Munshi, ‘Raja Krishnachandra Rayasya Charitram’ by Lochan Mukherjee etc.

These Persons were famous scholars and teachers of Fort William College.

Private enterprise in western education:

Evangelical Movement-There was a tug of war between the followers of the East and the West on the issue of introducing western education in India. It was known as the ‘Evangelical movement.’

But Evangelical movement a portion of the enlightened middle class ignored all the obstacles and realised the necessity of western education even without any grant from the government.

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Many of them realised that there would be no improvement in human life without the expansion of western language and science. So Rammohan Ray said in his letter to Lord Amherst, “The Sanskrit system of education would be the best calculated to keep the country in darkness.”

A column was Published in the ‘Sudhakar’ on 7th September 1833 A.D. that the improvement of the Sanskrit system of education will help the Brahmins only and none else.

It was advised in that newspaper to build up one school in each village for the learning of English and for this, the villagers were requested to contribute for this cause.

The Bengalees were the first to take interest in English education. Dwarakanath first got acquainted with the English language when Sherbone, a Eurasian gentleman, founded one English school in Jorasanko.

Another Eurasian was appointed as a private tutor in the family of Motilal Seal of Amratala. Gradually with the efforts of Rammohan Ray, Radhakanta Dev etc. Hindu college was founded in 1817 A.D. Later it was known as Presidency College in 1855 A.D.

But Dr R. C. Majumdar said that Rammohan did not build the Hindu College. This college was recognised with the help of Hyde East, the Supreme Court Judge and Dr Baidyanath Mukherjee.

Persons like Bhudev Mukherjee, Madhusudan Dutta, Pearychand Mitra, Rajnarain Basu etc. were students of this college. Apart from this David Hare founded a Higher English School in Calcutta. Presently it is known as ‘Hare school’.

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Two English schools were founded one in Bhabanipur in 1800 A.D. and another in Chinsura in 1824 A.D. The Calcutta School Book Society was formed in 1817 A.D. and The Calcutta School Society in 1818 A.D.

With the formation of these organisations, the distribution of textbooks and the development of schools were much improved. With the efforts of the students of Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, a young teacher of Hindu College, six-morning schools were established in Calcutta in 1831 A.D.

Rammohan himself founded one English school in a bar. Gourmohan Addhya founded the school ‘Oriental Seminary’ in 1828 A.D. Syed Ahmed founded one English School (1818 A.D.) in Gazipur of Uttar Pradesh.

Besides Bengal and Calcutta, many other English schools were established in Delhi, Agra etc. Up to 1823 A.D. maximum expansion of English education was done through private enterprises.

Some missionary organisations came forward towards the expansion of western education in India. The main organisations were the Clapham Group, the Church missionary society, the Calcutta aviation society, the London missionary society, the Church of Scotland etc.

In 1793 A.D. the Baptist Missionary William Carey and his wife Anna Carey founded a mission in Serampore. In this time, Marshman, the editor of ‘Samachar Darpan’ and ‘Digdarshan’ founded one English school in Serampore along with his friend Willam Ward under the instruction of Carey with their combined effort, Serampore College was founded in 1818 A.D.

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But many persons objected to the activities of the missionaries. Charles Grant said in his book “Observations on the state of society among the Asiatic subjects of Great Britain” that Christianity should be propagated in India if India and the Indians are to be free from the degradation of Hinduism and society.

Alexander Duff founded ‘The General Assemblies Institution in 1830 A.D. which was later known as ‘Scottish Church College’. At this time an English school was founded in Simulia.

Government enterprise in the expansion of western education:

The East India Company agreed to spend Rs. I lack towards the improvement of education in India by virtue of the ‘Charter Act’ passed in 1813 A.D.

But due to controversies between the followers of east and west nothing was spent out of that Rs. 1 lac up to 1823 A.D. ‘General Committee of Public Instructions’ (G.C.P.I.) was formed in 1824 A.D.

This Committee instructed to spend that amount towards western education. From that time onwards a new horizon was opened for the expansion of western education in the presidency.

In the meantime ‘Sanskrit College’ was founded by Lord Amherst in 1824 A.D. for oriental education in Calcutta. Rammohan resisted this system. Initially, the Government tried to restrict western education to a handful of Indians.

They had an idea that this should not reach the masses otherwise they would be conscious. As a result, they would be unrestful against the British. But Lord William Bentinck was a believer of the ‘Filtration Theory’ of education.

He used to believe that education would be filtered from the upper class to the lower class and as a consequence, the education cost would be minimised and at the same time, western education would be spread.

Bentinck introduced the policy of expansion of western education in India in English with the recommendations of ‘Macaulay minutes’ executed on 2nd February 1835 A.D.

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After that Bentinck founded The Calcutta Medical College (1835 A.D.) and The Elphinstone Institution of Bombay (1835 A.D.). Bentinck said, “The great objective of the British Government ought to be the promotion of European literature and science among the natives of India.”

During the time of Bentinck, 14 government schools were established. This number increased to 48 within two years. English School was established in Chandannagar. ‘Hooghly College’ was founded in 1836 A.D. ‘Board of Education’ was formed in 1840 A.D.

in Bombay with Erskin Carey its president. The Church of Scotland founded an English School in Madras in 1807 A.D. ‘Council of Education’ was founded in 1842 A.D.

Lord Hardinge spoke about the applicants of the government service, and the efficiency in the English language in ‘Educational Despatch’ in 1854 A.D. After this Despatch, Indians became much more interested in learning the English language.

Charles Wood, the president of ‘The Board of Control’ of England recommended combining the streams of both the lowest and the highest form of education in 1854 A.D. This is known as ‘Wood’s Despatch’.

 

 

This despatch is known as the ‘Magna Carta’ in the history of English education in India.

The recommendations were

1. To form a separate department for education.
2. To establish three universities in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
3. To take adequate measures for the teachers and the teachings.
4. To reform the government schools and colleges.
5. To establish new middle schools.
6. To start grants-in-aid in private schools.
7. To improve the native primary schools.
8. To expand woman’s education.
9. To increase the number of government schools etc. Wood rejected the filtration policy.

According to Wood’s Despatch three Universities were founded in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Director of Public Instructions (D.P.I) was formed in 1855 A.D. There were 79 English schools and 140 aided government native schools under this organisation.

“resistance movements against colonial rule class 8”

Not only English education but also women’s education was initiated under government patronisation. There were many enterprising persons like Rammohan, Radhakanta Dev (1767- 1884 A.D.), David Hare, Vidyasagar etc.

In the expansion of women’s education. Female Juvenile society was formed in 1819 A.D. This society published the book ‘Sri Siksha Bidhayak’ written by Gourmohan Adhya for the development of female education.