UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?

1. Charter Act of 1813
2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• • The Charter Act of 1813 (also called the East India Company Act, 1813), passed by the British Parliament renewed the English East India Company’s charter for another 20 years. It defined for the first time the Constitutional position of British Indian territories.
    • The Act was brought with the aim of promoting knowledge of modern sciences in the country. In 1823, a “General Committee of Public Instruction'', was appointed to grant and sanction one lakh of rupees for education. So, points 1 and 2 are correct.
      
      

• Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy: The Orientalists wanted western sciences and literature for jobs, with emphasis on traditional Indian learning. The Anglicists wanted government spending on education exclusively for modern studies. So, point 3 is correct.
  
  

• Lord Macaulay's Minute (1835), supported teaching of western sciences and literature through the medium of English language.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | British Administrative Reforms