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?

The correct option is (b). Explanation The English Education Act of 1835 was a significant policy decision by the British East India Company, led by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck. It resolved the "Anglicist vs. Orientalist" controversy regarding the allocation of educational funds and the medium of instruction in India. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Act was introduced following the recommendations of Thomas Babington Macaulay (Macaulay’s Minute, 1835), not James Mill. While James Mill was a utilitarian critic of Oriental learning, the specific 1835 policy was directly based on Macaulay’s arguments as the Law Member of the Governor-General’s Council. - Statement 2 is Correct. The Act mandated that the government’s educational funds be utilized to promote European literature and science. Consequently, it established English as the medium of instruction for higher education, replacing Persian and Sanskrit in administrative and higher academic importance. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Act represented a victory for the Anglicists and sought to diminish support for Oriental learning. It did not propose establishing new Oriental institutions; rather, it stopped the printing of Oriental books and reduced stipends for Oriental scholars. The Calcutta Madrasa was established much earlier, in 1781, by Warren Hastings. Key Takeaway: The English Education Act of 1835, driven by Macaulay’s Minute, shifted British policy toward the promotion of Western education and established English as the official medium of instruction for higher learning in India.

With reference to the English Education Act… - NCERT Class 8 History MCQ

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

mcqmedium

With reference to the English Education Act of 1835, consider the following statements:

It was introduced following the recommendations of James Mill.
It made English the medium of instruction for higher education.
It proposed the establishment of new Oriental institutions like the Calcutta Madrasa.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Our Past -3 · Page 68

Options

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

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The English Education Act of 1835 was a significant policy decision by the British East India Company, led by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck. It resolved the "Anglicist vs. Orientalist" controversy regarding the allocation of educational funds and the medium of instruction in India.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Act was introduced following the recommendations of Thomas Babington Macaulay (Macaulay’s Minute, 1835), not James Mill. While James Mill was a utilitarian critic of Oriental learning, the specific 1835 policy was directly based on Macaulay’s arguments as the Law Member of the Governor-General’s Council.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Act mandated that the government’s educational funds be utilized to promote European literature and science. Consequently, it established English as the medium of instruction for higher education, replacing Persian and Sanskrit in administrative and higher academic importance.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Act represented a victory for the Anglicists and sought to diminish support for Oriental learning. It did not propose establishing new Oriental institutions; rather, it stopped the printing of Oriental books and reduced stipends for Oriental scholars. The Calcutta Madrasa was established much earlier, in 1781, by Warren Hastings.

Key Takeaway:
The English Education Act of 1835, driven by Macaulay’s Minute, shifted British policy toward the promotion of Western education and established English as the official medium of instruction for higher learning in India.

Your note

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

Which of the following was NOT a reason cited by Wood’s Despatch for promoting European learning?

medium

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I | List II A. Establishment of Calcutta Madrasa | 1. 1791 B. Establishment of Hindu College, Benaras | 2. 1854 C. Wood’s Despatch | 3. 1781 D. Establishment of Universities (Calcutta, Madras, Bombay) | 4. 1857

easy

In which year did Rabindranath Tagore establish the educational institution Santiniketan?

easy

Who among the following was NOT associated with the Asiatic Society of Bengal?

easy

Following the 1854 Despatch, which of the following measures were introduced by the British? 1. Education departments of the government were set up. 2. A system of university education was established. 3. Universities were established in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay in 1857. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Keep practising Chapter 5: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 8 History chapters