Govt.

Degree College Kokernag, Anantnag, J&K

Department of Education
PPT Cum Notes Prepared by
Dr. Arif Hussain Bhat
(B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed., M.A, M.Phil., Ph.D. NET & SET)

Education (Batch 2020)

Sem 4th Unit-II Education in British India - I
Macaulay’s Minute (1835)

Email: arifmuntazir1@gmail.com
 Macaulay’s Minutes of Indian Education-1835
Introduction/Background:
In the 19th century, there emerged two groups among the officials of East India
Company. One group were the OREIENTALISTS/ CLASSISTS who wanted the
progress of Indian Education through the medium of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian,
whereas the other group was ANGLICISTS/ Occident lists who were infavour of
developing western education in India through the medium of English. The war
between two groups went on till the production of Macaulay Minutes on the issue.
He was a learned scholar of English Literature and a fluent orator. He was appointed
the chairman of the society of public instruction of Bengal by Lord William Bentick
to get his advice regarding utilization of grant money and actual meaning of articles
of order of 1813. The minutes put by him on February 2, 1835 were his scheme of
education. In his minutes he supported western education through English medium
in India.
 Major Recommendations
1. English be the medium of instruction at all
levels

It is the key to it is the language

modern languages of the ruling class

It would fetch Indians are eager to

renaissance in India learn English
 European Literature
should be taught at all
educational institutions

A Single shelf of Good

European Library is worth
than whole native
Literature of India and
Arabia
1. Meaning of the Word “Literature”: In the order of 1813, the word literature meant English
Literature and not Sanskrit or Arabic or Persian Literature.
2. Indian Scholar: in the order of 1813, Indian Scholar meant a scholar who is learned in the
Locke’s philosophy, Milton’s poetry etc. Hence Indians should gain through knowledge of
English literature and western philosophy.
3. Religious Concept: Macaulay was strictly secular minded. He did not like to interfere with the
religions of India in any way. He said, “we are neutral in religious matters and shall never
encourage open religious conversions”.
4. Ways of Grant Utilization:
British Government’s aim is to spread European literature and science among Indian and so all
the money granted for education will be spent for the purpose.
Oriental institutions will not be closed and their teachers and students shall continue to receive
their pay and scholarship as usual.
Oriental literature will not be published in future as sufficient money had been spent on this item.
The money, thus saved , will be spent in the spread of English Literature and science among
Indians through English medium.
Downward Filtration
Theory:
There is no need for
educating the masses,
but by educating the
upper class, it will be
filtered down to the
lower class people, as
it is human tendency
that the common folk
always try to imitate
the people of higher
status.