What was the effect of English education and western thought on Indian nationalism?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Ignited national awakening
Explanation:
· English education exposed Indians to modern democratic ideas, including liberty, equality and nationalism.
· Western political thinkers like Rousseau, Locke, Voltaire and Mill influenced early Indian reformers and nationalists.
· This intellectual exposure helped Indians understand colonial exploitation and motivated them to fight for self-rule.
Information Booster:
· Leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dadabhai Naoroji and Surendranath Banerjee were products of English education and played major roles in shaping nationalism.
· English became a common medium that united people across regions, aiding the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Additional Knowledge:
· Option (a) is incorrect, as English education helped challenge orthodox caste practices.
· Option (b) is incorrect; partition was caused by political and communal factors, not English education.
· Option (d) is incorrect; nationalism grew stronger because of western ideas.