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.

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?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

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

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?

medium

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:

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the views of James Mill on education in India: 1. He believed the British effort should be to teach what the natives wanted in order to please them. 2. He argued that education should focus on scientific and technical advances rather than sacred literature. 3. He was a supporter of the Orientalist vision of learning. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

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The correct option is (b).

Explanation

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.