In 1835, which of the following languages was replaced by English as the official language of the East India Company?

Correct option is B

In 1835, English replaced Persian as the official language of the East India Company. This was done through the English Education Act of 1835, which was passed by the Governor-General of India, Lord William Bentinck.

The act was supported by Thomas Babington Macaulay, who argued that English was a superior language and that it would be beneficial for Indians to learn it. The replacement of Persian with English as the official language of the East India Company had a profound impact on India.

It led to the spread of the English language and culture in India, and it also helped to create a new class of Indians who were educated in English and who were loyal to the British Crown. The English Education Act of 1835 is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of British India. It marked a turning point in the British government's approach to education in India, and it helped to lay the foundation for the eventual independence of India.

Information Booster:
​Before 1835: Persian was widely used for legal, judicial, and administrative purposes.

Macaulay’s Minute (1835): Advocated for promoting Western knowledge and literature in English, rather than supporting traditional Indian learning in Sanskrit, Persian, or Arabic.

Impact: Led to the decline of Persian in official use and the rise of English-educated Indians in administration and education.

Cultural Shift: This change deeply influenced India’s literary, educational, and political landscape.

Additional Knowledge:
​A. Sanskrit: Retained importance for Hindu religious texts but was never the East India Company’s administrative language.

C. Arabic: Used mainly for Islamic religious purposes and not for colonial administration.

D. Hindi: Did not replace Persian in 1835; its rise in administration came later, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.