and its Impact (a) Education in Pre-British India Education in pre-colonial India was characterised by segmentation along religious and caste lines. Among the Hindus, Brahmins had the exclusive privilege to acquire higher religious and philosophical knowledge. They monopolised education system and occupied positions in the society, primarily as priests and teachers. They studied in special seminaries such as Vidyalayas and Chatuspathis.
The medium of instruction was Sanskrit, which was considered as the sacred language. Technical knowledge – especially in relation to architecture, metallurgy, etc. – was passed hereditarily. This came in the way of innovation.
Another shortcoming of this system was that it barred women, lower castes and other under- privileged people from accessing education. The emphasis on rote learning was another impediment to innovation. (b) Contribution of Colonial State: Macaulay System of Education The colonial government aided the spread of modern education in India for a different reason than educating and empowering the Indians. To administer a large colony like India, the British needed a large number of personnel to work for them.
It was impossible for the British to import the educated lot, needed in such large numbers, from Britain. With this aim, the English Education Act was passed by the Council of India in . T.B. Macaulay drafted this system of education introduced in India.
Consequently, the colonial administration started schools, colleges and universities, imparting English and modern education, in India. Universities were established in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta in . The colonial government expected this section of educated Indians to be loyal to the British and act as the pillars of the British Raj. as coolies in coffee and tea plantations under the indentured labour system.
The abolition of slavery in British India in also facilitated the processes of emigration to Empire colonies. In the number of immigrant Tamil labourers employed in Ceylon coffee estate was estimated at , . The industry developed rapidly and so did the demand for Tamil labour. In its presence was estimated at , and in at , persons.
In , the famine year, there were nearly ,