Consider the following statements regarding the establishment of universities in India: 1. The first universities were established in Delhi and Meerut. 2. Universities in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay were being established while the sepoys rose in revolt in 1857. 3. The university system was a direct result of the English Education Act of 1835. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (b). Explanation The establishment of modern universities in India was a result of the educational reforms initiated by the British administration, specifically following the recommendations of Wood’s Despatch of 1854. This despatch laid the foundation for the structure of modern education in India, including the creation of universities modeled after the University of London. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The first universities established in India were not in Delhi and Meerut. They were established in the three Presidency towns: Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The University of Delhi was established much later in 1922. - Statement 2 is Correct. The Acts of Incorporation for the universities were passed in 1857. The University of Calcutta was established in January 1857, followed by the University of Bombay in July 1857, and the University of Madras in September 1857. The Revolt of 1857 began in May 1857. Therefore, the administrative process of establishing these universities continued in the Presidency towns even as the sepoys rose in revolt in Northern and Central India. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. The university system was a direct result of Wood’s Despatch (1854), often described as the "Magna Carta of English Education in India." The English Education Act of 1835, based on Macaulay’s Minute, focused on making English the medium of instruction for higher education and stopping the promotion of oriental learning, but it did not propose the establishment of universities. Key Takeaway Wood’s Despatch (1854) led to the establishment of the first three universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras in 1857, coinciding chronologically with the Sepoy Mutiny.

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 5: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

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Consider the following statements regarding the establishment of universities in India:

The first universities were established in Delhi and Meerut.
Universities in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay were being established while the sepoys rose in revolt in 1857.
The university system was a direct result of the English Education Act of 1835.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The establishment of modern universities in India was a result of the educational reforms initiated by the British administration, specifically following the recommendations of Wood’s Despatch of 1854. This despatch laid the foundation for the structure of modern education in India, including the creation of universities modeled after the University of London.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The first universities established in India were not in Delhi and Meerut. They were established in the three Presidency towns: Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The University of Delhi was established much later in 1922.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Acts of Incorporation for the universities were passed in 1857. The University of Calcutta was established in January 1857, followed by the University of Bombay in July 1857, and the University of Madras in September 1857. The Revolt of 1857 began in May 1857. Therefore, the administrative process of establishing these universities continued in the Presidency towns even as the sepoys rose in revolt in Northern and Central India.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The university system was a direct result of Wood’s Despatch (1854), often described as the "Magna Carta of English Education in India." The English Education Act of 1835, based on Macaulay’s Minute, focused on making English the medium of instruction for higher education and stopping the promotion of oriental learning, but it did not propose the establishment of universities.

Key Takeaway

Wood’s Despatch (1854) led to the establishment of the first three universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras in 1857, coinciding chronologically with the Sepoy Mutiny.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

With reference to the tradition of Orientalism in late 18th-century India, consider the following statements: 1. William Jones arrived in Calcutta in 1783 primarily to set up the Department of Education for the East India Company. 2. Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed were involved in translating Sanskrit and Persian works into English. 3. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was established by William Jones in collaboration with other British officials interested in Indian heritage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which one of the following institutions was established in 1781 to promote the study of Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law?

easy

With reference to the early educational institutions established by the British, consider the following pairs: 1. Calcutta Madrasa : 1781 2. Hindu College, Benaras : 1791 3. Asiatic Society of Bengal : 1783 4. Serampore College : 1818 How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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With reference to the English Education Act of 1835, consider the following statements: 1. It was introduced following the recommendations of James Mill. 2. It made English the medium of instruction for higher education. 3. It proposed the establishment of new Oriental institutions like the Calcutta Madrasa. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Thomas Macaulay emphasised the need to teach the English language in India for which of the following reasons? 1. To allow Indians to read the finest literature the world had produced. 2. To make Indians aware of developments in Western science and philosophy. 3. To change the tastes, values, and culture of the people. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The first universities established in India were not in Delhi and Meerut. They were established in the three Presidency towns: Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The University of Delhi was established much later in 1922.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Acts of Incorporation for the universities were passed in 1857. The University of Calcutta was established in January 1857, followed by the University of Bombay in July 1857, and the University of Madras in September 1857. The Revolt of 1857 began in May 1857. Therefore, the administrative process of establishing these universities continued in the Presidency towns even as the sepoys rose in revolt in Northern and Central India.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The university system was a direct result of Wood’s Despatch (1854), often described as the "Magna Carta of English Education in India." The English Education Act of 1835, based on Macaulay’s Minute, focused on making English the medium of instruction for higher education and stopping the promotion of oriental learning, but it did not propose the establishment of universities.

Key Takeaway

Wood’s Despatch (1854) led to the establishment of the first three universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras in 1857, coinciding chronologically with the Sepoy Mutiny.