Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
In the 1830s, William Adam, a Scottish missionary, was commissioned by the East India Company to survey the state of vernacular education in the districts of Bengal and Bihar. His reports provide a detailed account of the indigenous system of education prior to the standardization imposed by British educational policies.
Statement 1 is Correct: Adam’s report highlighted the widespread presence of educational institutions. He estimated that there were over 1 lakh pathshalas in Bengal and Bihar, suggesting that nearly every village had a place of learning.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: These pathshalas were small, informal centers of learning rather than large institutions. Adam noted that the student strength in each pathshala was generally low, usually not exceeding 20 students, contrary to the figure of 100 mentioned in the statement.
Statement 3 is Correct: Despite the small size of individual classes, the aggregate impact was substantial. Based on the estimate of 1 lakh pathshalas with an average of 20 students each, Adam concluded that the total number of children receiving education was over 20 lakh.
Key Takeaway: The pre-British indigenous education system in Bengal and Bihar was extensive and decentralized, characterized by a vast network of small, flexible pathshalas rather than large, centralized schools.