Education Policy under the British East India Company and Its Transformative Impact on the Indian Subcontinent: An Analytical Review

Abstract

This study attempts to rigorously analyze the education initiatives enacted by the British East India Company (1757-1857) in the Indian subcontinent, emphasizing its characteristics, underlying motivations, and transformative effects. The primary issue examined is the intricate character of colonial education, which fluctuated between endorsing Oriental learning and fostering Western knowledge, ultimately shaping India's socio-political landscape. This research aims to examine significant educational initiatives—from Warren Hastings’ founding of the Calcutta Madrasa to the introduction of Macaulay’s English education system and the subsequent Woods Dispatch—and assess their enduring impacts on Indian society, governance, and cultural identity. The study utilizes a qualitative methodology based on historical analysis, using research records, texts, scholarly publications, and current accounts to explore the development of educational policies throughout Company rule. The findings indicate that initial initiatives to advance indigenous languages and research, including Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit studies, were predominantly overshadowed by an English-focused educational agenda designed to cultivate a class of intermediates suited to British administrative requirements. This promoted governance, introduced Western concepts of democracy and equality, and established a pan-Indian lingua franca via English; however, it also resulted in considerable deficiencies, including the neglect of mass, female, scientific, and technical education, while maintaining elitist access to education. The results suggest that while British educational reforms altered specific social classes and intellectual discussions, their impact was constrained, and their framework predominantly catered to colonial administrative goals. This study highlights the twin impact of colonial education: facilitating colonial dominance while unintentionally fostering Indian socio-political consciousness. Comprehending this intricate historical backdrop offers significant insights into current issues in education and cultural integration, underscoring the necessity of egalitarian, inclusive, and diversified educational policy.