Question

Which amongst the following was not the result of the introduction of English education in India?
A. Change of old ideas and beliefs
B. Popularisation of the ideas of nationalism and democracy
C. Decline of Indian industries
D. Starting of religious and social reforms

Answer 1

Hint: The introduction of English education in colonial India essentially means creating an affirmation for European beliefs and ideas of the Oriental world in the minds of the colonised people. Therefore, there were striking positive as well as negative consequences behind this agenda of evangelisation.

Complete answer: The British colonists took various initiatives to set up higher education in India and promote the usage of English in imparting education to Indians. At the core, these ideas are argued to be aimed at creating a clerical class of Indians who could assist the colonial masters in the administrative facilities. But language is not bereft of the social context that it is produced in and therefore, social consequences were felt post the introduction of English and the systematisation of education in European standards.

Looking at the option;
Option A- According to the orientalist standards, the pre-existing ideas and beliefs of the colonies were seen as too regressive in the colonial perspective. Moreover, the ritualistic practices were seen as wishful conduct and compared with the Pagan practices which existed before the advent of Christianity. Therefore, through the means of English education, all of these were changed.
Option B- When Indians started to go to London for higher education, they were influenced by the European ideas of nationalism, fraternity, equality and democracy and brought it with them to India.
Option C- The decline of Indian industries, on the contrary, had started much before the induction of English education and therefore, has little direct connection with the education system alone. But this does not deny the fact that education must have played a role, very minutely, in the further subjugation of the Indian economy.
Option D- It has been recorded that there have been some very degraded practices like Sati, which still exists in some parts of India, and British were horrified at the sight of it and made efforts to change it. This started many social and religious reforms down the line. Therefore, it can be said to be direct consequences of English educational reforms in India.
Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.

Note: Many of the leading universities in India today like the Banaras Hindu University, Mumbai University, Aligarh University and Madras University were set up during the period of colonial India to get a higher education and good position in the administrative system of the British for their particular communities.