UPSC Prelims 2018 Q19: Modern History – British Administration & Economic Policies
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Wood's Despatch, 1854 - The 'Magna Carta of English Education in India'
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grants-in-aid system was introduced | TRUE | Wood's Despatch introduced the grants-in-aid system to encourage private enterprise in education by subsidising schools that met government inspection standards. |
| 2 | Establishment of universities was recommended | TRUE | It recommended universities in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, modelled on London University. Accordingly, all three were established in 1857. |
| 3 | English as medium at all levels was recommended | FALSE | Wood's Despatch recommended English as the medium of instruction at HIGHER levels, but vernacular languages were to be the medium at primary and secondary levels. It advocated downward filtration through vernacular schools at lower rungs. |
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements 1 and 2 are right - grants-in-aid and university establishment were both recommended.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong - Wood's Despatch endorsed vernaculars at lower levels, English only at higher levels.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct, so 1 and 3 only is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 misstates the language policy of the Despatch.
Key point
Wood's Despatch, 1854 (Sir Charles Wood, President of Board of Control): Grants-in-aid; universities at Bombay, Madras, Calcutta (established 1857); vernacular at primary, English at higher levels; Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in each Presidency.
Remember
Wood's Despatch of 1854, often called the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India', introduced the grants-in-aid system to support private schools that met government standards and recommended establishing universities at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras (opened in 1857). However, it endorsed vernacular languages at primary and secondary levels, with English reserved for higher education.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Wood's Despatch (1854 - vernacular + English mix) with Macaulay's Minute (1835 - English only, downward filtration).
- Attributing Hunter Commission (1882) recommendations to Wood's Despatch - Hunter reviewed the implementation of Wood.
- Forgetting that Wood's Despatch also created the DPI (Director of Public Instruction) in each Presidency, laying the bureaucratic scaffolding for education.
Exam tip
Colonial education milestones: Charter Act 1813 (Rs 1 lakh for education), Macaulay 1835 (English + downward filtration), Wood 1854 (grants-in-aid + universities + vernacular at lower levels), Hunter 1882 (review), Sadler/Curzon early 20th century.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra - India's Struggle for Independence (Chapter on Modern Education)
- NCERT Class 8 - Our Pasts III (Civilising the 'Native', Educating the Nation)