Role of social reformers in India in the introduction of education during British rule
Answers
English education in India has its foundation in the 18th century. The missionaries came
to India with the East India Company and various measures were adopted to educate the
local population. The missionary activities also included conversion to Christianity and as
such the Indian population was weary of the education given by them. In 1773 Warren
Hastings established the foundation of British Education. The controversy was generated
because of the education being Western in its content and delivery.
Thomas Babington Macaulay gave his famous Minutes in 1835. Another issue besides
religion was the medium of instruction. Vernacular medium was the demand by Indian
educationists whereas the British wanted it to be through the language of English. The
problem encountered by the British in the field of female education was still more
series.
The ‘purdah’ system, the system of child marriage and the general indifference of parents
to the education of their daughters acted as a check to the progress of female education. A
girl child was believed to be much different, as far as her education was concerned, from
a boy child. Girls were not required to be independent of their established customs and
domestic duties. Her general appearance was the main criteria in being selected as a
bride. The desire to get their boys educated was openly expressed but girls were good if
they stayed at home. There was a rigid seclusion of women. These causes prevented even
the elementary education from being given to girls.
The Social Reformers not only fought against the social evils but also worked tirelessly for the introduction and spread of education in India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy believed education as tool to reform the society and thus established Vedanta College and the Hindu College in Calcutta for the same purpose. Similarly Swami Dayanad Sraswati advocated Women's right to education and right to read Vedas and attain high education. Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar wrote Barno-Porichay (introduction to the letter) which simplified the Bengali language and thus promoted education in India.
Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitri Phule worked tirelessly for the education of girls and downtrodden. They are credited with establishing first girls school in India.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a Muslim social reformer worked for the awakening and introduction of education to Muslims. He advocated Muslims to shun ignorance and attain British Western education. He established the Muhammadan Anglo- Oriental College in Aligarh which became the center of scientific and logical education and helped in disseminating modern education among Muslims.