Correct Option (D)
Lord Wellesley established Fort William College in Calcutta in 1800. His primary objective was to train British civil servants for administrative purposes in India. The college aimed to equip newly arrived British officials with knowledge of Indian languages, laws, customs, and administrative procedures, thereby ensuring more effective governance of the Company's territories. This initiative was, however, opposed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London, who feared that training officials in India might lead to their increased independence from the Company's authority. Consequently, the college's role was eventually superseded, and Haileybury College was established in England in 1806 to provide training for civil servants destined for India.
Incorrect Options
1) He was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so.
This statement is incorrect. Lord Wellesley established Fort William College on his own initiative. The Court of Directors (often referred to as the Board of Directors in this context) in London, in fact, opposed its establishment due to concerns about fostering independent tendencies among officials trained in India.
2) He wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India.
This statement is incorrect. While institutions like the Asiatic Society or the Sanskrit College in Benaras focused on promoting oriental learning, Fort William College's purpose was specifically to train British administrators in practical aspects of governance, including local languages and laws, for effective administration, not for the revival of oriental learning as a broader academic pursuit.
3) He wanted to provide William Carey and his associates employment.
This statement is incorrect. William Carey, a prominent missionary and orientalist, was associated with the Serampore Mission and Serampore College, which was established later. There is no historical evidence to suggest that Fort William College was established to provide employment to William Carey or his associates.