write a short note on 'macaulay minute'.

1. OBJECTIVES

1.1 To give the students knowledge about the changing system of education inIndiaduring British rule.

1.2 To make the students understand the Macaulays Minute of Indian education System.

1.3 To make them aware about the reports of Adam regarding Indian Education System.

2. INTRODUCTION

Thomas Babington Macaulay, who is generally regarded as the architect of the system of education inIndiaduring the British rule, was a great essayist, historian, linguist, orator, politician, statesman and thinker. He was regarded as one of the first rate literary figure of his times. As a parliamentarian, he made his mark in British parliament. He came toIndiain 1838 and joined as the law member of the executive council of the governor-General. He was also appointed as the president of the general committee on Public instruction by governor general Lord William Bentinck.

Macaulay wrote his famous minute onFeb. 2, 1835in which he vehemently criticized almost everything Indian: astronomy, culture, history, philosophy, religion etc., and praised everything western. On this basis he advocated the national system of education forIndiawhich could best serve the interest of theBritish Empire. His minutes was accepted and Lord William Bentinck issued his proclamation inn march 1935 which set at rest all the controversies and led to the formulation of a policy which became the corner stone of all educational programmes during the British period in India.