Question

Major limitations of education policies introduced by British during the colonial period.

Answer 1

It has been 69 years of independence when our freedom fighter had raised their voice against the cruel British Raj of 200 years. The British Raj or British East India Company came to India during the year of 1757 but came into force on 1858 after the First War of Independence which was fought during the year of 1857 and lasted till the year of 1947. During, the British Raj India had faced many problems but side by side during the British rule in India the country’s infrastructure and education also had evolved and improved. Though it is quite a bitter experience for India to had British ruling over the country and making use of country resources without any restriction. There were many reforms, Act, and expedition that British government had made during which was boon or bane for countrymen. The structure of the constitution, policies, the introduction of the governorship, princely states, communication and education are some reforms act that British had made during their rule. But those are dated back now India is a democratic country whose constitution are based on selected group of country constitutions.

It is really important to make a note that British may have ruled for more than 200 years but also have given something in return. They have exploited the resources of the country but in return have shown the path of development. There will be several controversies whether the British Raj is a boon or bane but below comparison will give a clear picture but that will also not validate the British raj in India,

Advantages of British raj in India

Social Reforms: British raj in India had done various social activities for the country for instance abolition of The Sati Pratha and introduction Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, Child marriage restraint Act, Act against child labor and many other acts for improving the social tradition and custom for the betterment of humanity.

Education reforms: During the British Raj only India existing education changed with the introduction of English as the mandatory subject and official language. During British Raj only University of Bombay, Kolkata and Madras were established during the year of 1857 just before the rebellion. The university is still present and being run by the modern Independent India as a most prestigious university.

Employment Scheme: The British government also introduces the Indian Civil Service for the various prestigious posts under the government. The Imperial Civil Service at present is known as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) which is conducted by UPSC.

Irrigation scheme: The government also structured various canals and dams for the improvement of irrigation condition in India.

Infrastructure development: During the regime of British government the India communication and transport facility were developed. The government established the India’s first railways service in the year of 1853-54 in the region of Bombay and Calcutta by the two railways companies i.e. Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) and East Indian Railway (EIR). After 5 years in the year of 1859, the first passenger railway line opened in North India between Allahabad and Kanpur.

Monuments, Legal Tenders, Heritage Site: The government had also introduced the legal tender as an official medium of exchange at the time trading. Also they had built many heritage sites and monuments among them Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, Victoria Terminus (now termed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), The Gateway Of India, Viceroy’s House (now called as Rashtrapati Bhavan), Asiatic Society of India in order to preserve the Indian monuments, literary script and many more.