Did Educational reforms have a more important effect on the Indians than the social, religious and economic ones introduced by the British during the years 1773 to 1856? Explain your answer. [14]
Answers
Answer:
Education policy of the British: In pre-British days, Hindus and Muslims were educated through Pathsala and Madrassa respectively, but their advent created a new place of learning i.e. Missionaries.
Answer:
A. By 1773, the EIC was covering the largest province of India which was Bengal, hence, they started introducing a number of reforms and educational reforms was one of them.
The British introduced Western Education schools to teach people about their language and culture. The British government set up schools across the country to teach Western ideas using English Language. The British aimed to educate a group of Indians who would take on Western values and help the British to govern millions of Indians. The negative impact was that the British were trying to impose European culture on Indians but the positive impact was that the use of English as the common language began to unite India.
The British also introduced Social reforms. Firstly, they made English the official language of India. In 1834, English was made the official language replacing Persian. This had a Westernizing effect as it made the use of English more common, and brought Indians in contact with their literature and culture. Secondly, the British introduced an advanced communication system. In 1853, Railways was introduced for the first time in public. This helped the British industry to profit by transporting raw materials to ports and manufactured goods to be sold all over the country. Railways also helped the British control the country. Troops moved speedily to where ever they were needed. Civil servants would also move in different cities more efficiently. The Indians also benefitted from this as well. During Famine, food could be moved easily. Family visits and pilgrimage became easy. The British also discovered telegraphs which helped the British administration in Calcutta to govern their areas effectively. It also helped Indians to send messages to family members.
The British also introduced Religious reforms. Firstly, the British banned Suttee. Suttee was a Hindu religious practice in which the widow was burned alive with the corpse of her husband. This practice was banned in 1829. Many of the Hindus were happy on this practice being banned where as some considered it as an interference into their religious matters. Secondly, the British banned Thuggee. Thugee was a Hindu practice in which Highway robbers or Bandits used to rob Highway travelers and raid villages and after it they would murder their victims in a ritualistic manner in order to sacrifice to their religious goddess Kaali Ma. It was banned in 1830. majority of the thugs were arrested & executed or they surrendered. This was also welcomed by the people. Lastly, the British introduced Christian Missionaries amongst the Indians. In 1833, the British Govt. gave permission to Christian Missionaries to operate anywhere in India. The main result was that it strengthened the faith of British living in India but it made them believe that their Christian values made them superior to the local people as a result they became intolerant of Indian traditions & behavior.
The British now introduced economic reforms. The British changed the Zamindari system, as a result many peasants became landless. The British also ended important duties on the import of British goods leading to British cloth becoming cheap. As a result many of Indians weavers began unemployed. During the Mughal rule, Zamindars were in charge of a particular area and their job was to collect taxes from peasants which was 5% of their agriculture income. If the Zamindars were unable to collect taxes they were punished by imprisonment or public beating. During the British rule the system changed. The tax was now 1/3 of the agriculture produce and if the peasants were unable to pay taxes then their lands will be taken by British. As a result many farmers became landless and they had to work as poor labourers in cities.
So I conclude Educational reforms did not affect more than the other reforms. Reforms such as Social, Religious and economic had more of an impact on the Indians.
Explanation:
got 14/14 so good luck