Page 64 - SST Class 08

CASE STUDY literacy rates. The literacy rate from 1850 to 1917
Aligarh averaged less than 10 percent annually. Still, there
After the Revolt of 1857, the British no longer were some radical changes in the fields of
considered Muslim as their supporters and governance and education in the three princely
states— Travancore, Mysore and Baroda. The
loyalists. In 1835, the British abandoned their
state of Travancore announced a policy of free
policy of favouring Muslims and banned Arabic,
primary education in 1817. The state of Baroda
Persian and religious education in schools. They
was probably the first to introduce compulsory
made English not only as a medium of instruction
primary education in 1892. As compared to the
but also official language replacing Urdu and
performance of these princely states, the British
Persian. It was at this time Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
revived the policy of befriending the English. Sir introduced compulsory education in the Central
Syed Ahmed Khan was leading social reformers as Provinces only 1920. Under the patronage of
w e l l a n d w a n t e d t o Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda, education received
greatest attention. Maharaja Sayajirao University
transform the Muslims with
of Baroda is the greatest gift a king can give to his
modern outlook. It will be
subjects.
noted later (chapter 12)
that his efforts were seen Gandhiji proposed ‘Nai
by the British in a different Talim’ or New Education
context. These develop- system at a conference at
ments led to the founding Wardha in 1937. As a
of the Muslim League in result Modern School was
1906. The founding of the set up in 1921.
Muslim partition of India in Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
1947. launched the Aligarh
Baroda Movement. Aligarh from

During the colonial rule, there was economic then on became a centre
of Muslim politics and
backwardness of princely states as compared to the
intellectual activities. In Lord Minto
provinces ruled directly by the British. The princely
1875, Mohammedan
states lagged behind many reform measures as well
Anglo Oriental College was established.
as education. The princely states had been given
autonomy in the field of education for being loyal The state of Baroda was probably the first to
supporters of the British. This was one of the introduce compulsory primary education in 1892.
casuse responsible for slow progress and low

Terminology

Pathshalas : ancient education institutions of Hindus generally conducted by people of upper
castes
Madarsas : education institutions of Muslims generally attached to mosques
Indology : the study of India with reference to ancient learning, cultural and religious aspects
Orientalists : the learned natives speaking vernacular languages

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