Page 1 - 2.Lesson Notes-Grave errors of the East-181208080211

SAI International School
Session-2020-21
Class- VIII
Subject- History
Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
Sub Topic : Grave errors of the East (Page : 97 to 99)

NOTES

• In early 19th century, many British officials began to criticize the
Grave errors of Orientalist version of learning. They said that knowledge of the East
the East was full of errors & unscientific thought.

• Eastern literature was non-serious & light-hearted.

• James Mill was one of those who attacked the Orientalists.
According to him, the aim of education ought to be teach what was
useful and practical. So, Indians should be made familiar with the
scientific and technical advances that the West had made, rather
than with the poetry and sacred literature of the Orient.

• Thomas Babington Macaulay, another critic of Orientalists, saw
India as an uncivilized country that needed to be civilized. He
emphasized the need to teach the English language. Following
Macaulay’s minute, the English Education Act of 1835 was
introduced.

• A decision was taken to make English the medium of instruction for
higher education and to stop the promotion of Oriental institutions.