Evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of British educational policies for the Indian society in the colonial period. (Answer in 250 words)

The colonial project, as per Shashi Tharoor in his 'Era of Darkness' was an enterprise to 'colonise the mind' and a civilizing mission. British Educational Values: Introduced by colonial government to perpetuate imperialism through deliberate actions. Destroying indigenous institutions, Imposing English language, Downward Inferiority Theory. Intended Consequences: Created a class of loyalists - Anglo-Indians in blood and color, English in taste, intellect (Macaulay) Anglicisation of education - displaced vernacular language. Created an elite intelligentsia class - deprived masses of education. Dismantled traditional institutions - pathshalas, madrasas. Unintended Consequences: Exposure to enlightenment ideas and values - Indians read writers of Voltaire, Rousseau, Paine et. Catalysed 19th century Reformation - English educated Indians like Rammohan Roy, IC Vidyasagar pushed for reforms such as banning sati, widow remarriage

Anglicisation of education - displaced vernacular language. Created an elite intelligentsia class - deprived masses of education. Dismantled traditional institutions - pathshalas, madrasas. Unintended Consequences: Exposure to enlightenment ideas and values - Indians read writers of Voltaire, Rousseau, Paine et. Catalysed 19th century Reformation - English educated Indians like Rammohan Roy, IC Vidyasagar pushed for reform such as banning sati, widow remarriage