Question

What was the influence of Western education on the minds of educated Indians in the 19th century?

Answer 1

The introduction of Western education popularised among Indians the western concepts of liberty and equality. It also enabled the educated class from all over the country to communicate, for the first time in history, through a common language, English. Literary works of eminent authors and philosophers like Locke, Spencer, Mill, Rousseau, Voltaire, etc., inspired the Indian populace to strive for social and political freedom. While they were tremendously inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, they also observed the workings of liberal democratic political institutions in Britain, a result of ‘evolution’ rather than revolution. The educated Indians also came to be deeply impressed by the success of the American war of independence and imbibed many of its values.