After returning from England in 1893, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh joined the service of the Maharaja of Baroda and worked in various capacities, including as a professor at Baroda College (now part of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda). During his tenure there, he taught French.
Why French?
Educational Background: Aurobindo had a strong command over multiple European languages, including French, which he learned during his schooling in England. His father had ensured that his children received a Western-style education, and Aurobindo was fluent in English, Latin, Greek, and French.
Position at Baroda: At Baroda College, one of his responsibilities was teaching French. His proficiency in the language made him suitable for the role, and records from the college support this assignment.
Supporting Evidence:
K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar in “Sri Aurobindo: A Biography and a History” states that Aurobindo was appointed as a professor of French at Baroda College.
His teaching position was one of the many duties he undertook while serving the Baroda State.
Elimination of Other Options:
English – Although Aurobindo was highly proficient in English and wrote extensively in it (e.g., Savitri), this was not the subject he taught at Baroda College.
Sanskrit – He studied Sanskrit later in life and admired it, but he did not teach it at the college.
Bengali – Similarly, while he was fluent in Bengali and involved in nationalist writings in the language, he was not appointed to teach it.
Year-wise PYQs
