CLASS 8 HISTORY HANDOUT UNIT IL CH-7 Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation INTRODUCTION In the earlier chapters we have seen how British rule affected rajas and peasants and tribals. In this chapter we will try and understand what implice it had on the education front. For, the British in India wanted not only territ conquest and control over revenues. They also felt that they had a cultural they had to “civilise the natives”, change their customs and values. What changes were to be introduced? How were Indians to be educated, “civilised”, and made into answers to these questions. They continued to be debated for many decades. DEBATE (Orientalists vs Anglicists) ORIENTALISTS Fig. 1- Wiliam doves learning Frston They shared a deep respect for ancient Cultures, both India an“They insisted Indians should be taught about scie advances made by the west. Encouraged English as the medium of instruction for higher Aimed to teach En; glish to civilize the natives and to chan values and culture, * Britishers su Thomas Babi 'Pporting Anglicism and criticizing Orientalism: Je ington Macaulay. Fig 24a MAIN AIMS OF ORIENTALISTS + They sh ared a deep respect for ancient cultures, both of India and the West Indi ‘an civilisation, they felt, had attained its glory in the ancient past; but | had subsequently declined. In order to understand India it was necessanyte discover the sacred and Icgal texts that were produced in the ancient period They believed it would not only help the British learn from Indian culture, but it would also help Indians rediscover their own heritage, and understand the lost glories of their past. In this process the British would become the guardians of Indian culture as well as its masters. * They felt that institutions should be set up to encourage the study of ancient Indian texts and teach Sanskrit and Persian literature and poetry. + The officials also thought that Hindus and Muslims ought to be taug they were already familiar with, and what they valued and treasi subjects that were alien to them. Only then, they believed, could hope to win a place in the hearts of the “natives”; only then rulers expect to be respected by their subjects. PROMOTION OF ORIENTALIST IDEAS * Madrasa was set up in Calcutta in 1781 to prom Persian and Islamic law. Hindu college was established in Benaras OCAMNEU WILT Gd IlOCe