Charter Act of 1813 – Impact on Indian Education

Transforming East India Company & Education

The Charter Act of 1813, officially known as the East India Company Act 1813, was a key piece of legislation enacted by the British Parliament that made substantial reforms to the management and business practices of the East India Company in India. Additionally, it had a big influence on British India’s educational advancement.

Objective Charter Act Of 1813: Control, Missionaries, Expansion

• The three major goals of the Charter Act of 1813 were to maintain control over the company for another 20 years, spread and encourage Christian missionaries and continue the program of territorial expansion.

Key Provisions Of The Charter Act Of 1813: Trade Reforms, Education Expansion, Control

The Charter Act of 1813 renewed the East India Company’s charter, expanded education in India, and ended its monopoly on trade.

• Abolished the East India Company’s monopoly on commerce in India, excluding trade with China and tea.
• It reaffirmed the British Crown’s supremacy over the Indian areas controlled by the Company.
• The company’s control was prolonged by 20 more years.
• The powers of the Board of Control were further extended.
• Granted permission to the persons (especially the Christian Missionaries) for promoting moral and religious improvements.
• Regulated the company’s territorial revenues and commercial profits separately.
• The company should invest Rs. 1 Lakh every year in the education of Indians.
• Empowered the Local Governments to impose taxes on persons and to punish the defaulter.

Impact On Education Of Charter Act Of 1813: Shaping Indian Education Landscape

The Charter Act of 1813 marked a pivotal moment in British India’s governance, and had a significant impact, some of which are as follows:  

• The company was obliged by the Charter Act 1813 to invest 100,000 rupees in the education of Indians. This was the first action taken by the British Emperor to encourage scientific and literary research in India.
• However, there was no clear provision in the Charter Act of 1813. Funding for the project went unused for 20 years, amid heated debate about what and how to deliver the education.
• One faction advocated promoting traditional Indian education using Persian and Classical Sanskrit as well as local languages. This group was known as the Orientalists. The other side, led by the governor’s councilor Sir Macaulay Law, advocated the introduction and promotion of Western education.
• To provide education for the minority of Indians, the government began establishing English schools and colleges. In 1844, the same year that English became the official language, the government declared that Indians educated in British schools should be offered government jobs. As a result, English education has risen in India.
• Numerous educational institutions were founded as a result of the Act, notably in important cities like Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. The Hindu College in Calcutta (1817), Presidency College in Madras (1840), and Elphinstone College in Bombay (1856) were some of these establishments.

Conclusion

Overall, the Charter Act of 1813 provided the framework for the growth of modern education in India. It signaled the start of a time when institutions were founded to further Western knowledge and English education rose to prominence. But it also sparked discussions about the cultural and linguistic effects of this schooling, which continued to influence educational practices in the years that followed.

Development of Education: Charter Act 1813 FAQs

Q1. What was the objective of the Charter Act of 1813?

Ans. Charter Act of 1813 aimed to maintain company control, encourage Christian missionaries, and expand territorially.

Q2. What was the impact of the Charter Act of 1813 on education?

Ans. The Charter Act of 1813, required the company to invest 100,000 rupees in Indian education, promoting scientific and literary research. English schools and colleges were established, leading to increased English education in India.

Q3. What were the key provisions of the Charter Act of 1813?

Ans. The East India Company’s monopoly on commerce was abolished, British Crown supremacy reaffirmed, control extended, Board of Control powers expanded, education investment regulated, and local governments empowered.

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