8. Civilising the Native Educating the Nation
Que: Match the following:
| William Jones | promotion of English education |
| Rabindranath Tagore | respect for ancient cultures |
| Thomas Macaulay | gurus |
| Mahatma Gandhi | learning in a natural environment |
| Pathshalas | critical of English Educatiion |
Ans:
| William Jones | respect for ancient cultures |
| Rabindranath Tagore | learning in a natural environment |
| Thomas Macaulay | promotion of English education |
| Mahatma Gandhi | critical of English Educatiion |
| Pathshalas | gurus |
Que: State whether true or false:
(a) James Mill was a severe critic of the Orientalists.
(b) The 1854 Despatch on education was in favour of English being introduced as a medium of higher education in India.
(c) Mahatma Gandhi thought that promotion of literacy was the most important aim of education.
(d) Rabindranath Tagore felt that children ought to be subjected to strict discipline.
Ans:-
(a) True
(b) True
(c) False
(d) False
Que: Why did William Jones feel the need to study Indian history, philosophy and law?
Ans: He felt to need to saw the indian history, philosophy and law becuase only these texts could reveal the ideas and laws of the Hindus and Muslims, and only a new study of texts could from the basis of future development in india.
Que: Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was essential in India?
Ans: Both james mill and thomas macaulay saw india as an uncivilized country that needed to be civilized and for this purpose, European education was essential. they felt that knowledge of english would allow Indians to read some of thefinest literature of the world, it would make them aware of the development in western science philosophy. Teaching of english could thus be a way of civilizing people, changing their tastes, values and culture.
Que: Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts?
Ans: Mahatma gandhi wanted to teach children handicrafdt becuase only they would be able to know how different things were operated. This would develop their mind and their capacity to understand.
Que: Why did Mahatma Gandhi think that English education had enslaved Indians?
Ans: Mahatma gandhi was against english education he argued that this type of education had created a sense of inferiority in the minds of indians. It had made them see wastern civilisation as superior and had destroyed the pride they had in their own culture. It had cast a evil spell on Indians. Education inenglish had crippled them distanced them own surroundings and made them strangers in their own lands. What is more, it had enslaved them.
