Question

Give reason for the introduction of modern education in India by the British

Answer 1

The fundamental aspect of British scheme of education was to promote English education.

a. British wanted to introduce modern western education to serve their economic interests as English education would convince Indians about the superiority of British goods which were machine made, it would make Indians recognize the advantages of trade and commerce.
b. Indians would recognize the importance of developing resources.
c. Modern education would bring about a change in their tastes and desires.
d. English education would create a class of people who could be part of civil service and serve their administrative purpose.
e.  To civilize India.
 f. To spread Christianity. 
 g. To consolidate British's power and position in the country.  
 h. British wanted to establish their cultural domination with spread of English language.
i. British considered the task of civilising India as their moral responsibility, and therefore believed that modern western education would make people rational and scientific.

Answer 2

The anglicist led by macaulay believed that the knowledge of the east was full of errors and unscientific thoughts.
They felt that teaching English to Indians would enable them to benefit from the developments in science, literature and philosophy.
So they emphasized the promotion of Western learning where English would be the medium of instruction.
It was in this context that Macaulay wrote his famous minutes emphasizing the need for English medium education and Western learning.