Which of these did the Wood’s Despatch (1854) seek to propagate?
A. Impart Western knowledge to Indians
B. Restrict access to English learning in India
C. Educate British officers in Sanskrit and Persian
D. Create a class of public servants

Correct option is D

Explanation:

Wood’s Despatch of 1854, often regarded as the Magna Carta of English education in India, aimed to introduce Western knowledge and create a class of Indians who could act as intermediaries between the British rulers and the Indian populace (public servants). This system was designed to promote administrative efficiency under colonial rule. It emphasized the establishment of educational institutions and promoted English as the medium of instruction while sidelining vernacular languages.  It was issued by Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control of the East India Company. The Despatch is considered a foundational text in the development of the modern educational system in India.
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Information Booster:

Key Features of Wood's Despatch (1854):

Western Education and English Language:

- The Despatch advocated for the teaching of English in schools and universities and emphasized the importance of imparting Western knowledge to Indians.

   - It recommended the creation of a network of schools and colleges to teach English and Western subjects like science, literature, and philosophy.

Establishment of Universities:

   - The Despatch led to the foundation of the first three universities in India in 1857: University of Calcutta, University of Bombay, and University of Madras.

   - These institutions were intended to provide higher education in English and create a cadre of educated Indians who could assist in governance.

Curriculum Reforms:

    - The Despatch recommended that the curriculum focus on English literature, Western sciences, and modern subjects, thus prioritizing Western learning over traditional Indian education.

Teacher Training:

    - The Despatch called for the establishment of teacher training schools to ensure that the quality of teaching in schools was high and that teachers were properly trained in Western methods.

Impacts of the Wood’s Despatch:

    - Growth of English-medium Schools and Colleges: The Despatch created a system where English became the dominant language of instruction, and English-medium schools and colleges grew rapidly in India.

    - Creation of a Bureaucratic Class: By creating a class of educated Indians, the Despatch indirectly helped in forming a class of civil servants loyal to the British administration. These educated Indians worked in various administrative and clerical positions under the British Raj.

    - Shift in Indian Education: The focus on Western education shifted the priorities of the education system, moving away from traditional Indian learning in Sanskrit, Persian, and regional languages to the study of English and Western subjects.