In the early 19th century, the East India Company had begun thinking more seriously about education in India. The debate was between Orientalists (who supported traditional Indian learning in Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic) and Anglicists (who wanted Western education in English, science, and literature).
What Lord William Bentinck did:
Role: Governor-General of India (1828–1835).
Key Action: In 1835, he passed a resolution based on Macaulay’s famous “Minute on Indian Education”.
Purpose of the Resolution:
“The great object of the British Government ought to be the promotion of European literature and science among the natives of India.”
This meant English would be the medium of instruction.
The focus shifted from promoting classical Indian learning to teaching Western knowledge, philosophy, and science.
Why not the others?
Lord Hastings (1813–1823) – encouraged Indian press freedom and founded educational institutions, but did not issue this resolution.
Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793) – known for Cornwallis Code and administrative reforms, not educational policy.
Lord Hardinge (1844–1848) – promoted vernacular education and military recruitment from natives, but again, not this resolution.
✅ Therefore: Lord William Bentinck is correct because he implemented the 1835 English Education Act resolution, which directly stated the aim of promoting European literature and science among Indians.
Year-wise PYQs
