Important dates and events from the NCERT book for class 8: History chapter 6: Civilising the “Native” and Educating the Nation.
- William Jones arrives in Calcutta: 1783
- Asiatic Society of Bengal established by Jones.
- Calcutta Madrasa was founded in 1781 for Arabic and Persian studies.
- Hindu College established in Benaras: 1791.
- Thomas Macaulay’s Minute Promoting English education: 1835
- English Education Act to introduces English as medium: 1835
- Wood’s Despatch, which emphasized European learning: 1854
- Universities established in Calcutta, Madras, Bombay: 1857
- British education reforms standardize and regulate pathshalas.
- Mahatma Gandhi criticizes colonial education system.
- Mahatma Gandhi supported education in Indian languages.
- Rabindranath Tagore establishes Santiniketan: 1901
- Tagore emphasizes creative learning in a natural setting.
- Debate on national education continues post-independence.
The chapter focuses on the evolution of educational policies and institutions in India. It highlights the transition from traditional to colonial education systems and the response of Indian leaders to these changes. You might also like to check our other MCQ questions for Class 8 History.
MCQ Questions and Answers for Class 8 History Chapter 6 Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
Question 1. Who established the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784?
a) William Jones
b) Thomas Macaulay
c) Charles Wood
d) James Mill
Answer:
a) William Jones
Question 2. What was the main focus of the Calcutta Madrasa, established in 1781?
a) Teaching Western science
b) Promoting Indian languages
c) Studying Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law
d) Research in European literature
Answer:
c) Studying Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law
Question 3. Who was a significant critic of Orientalist learning?
a) William Jones
b) James Mill
c) Rabindranath Tagore
d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer:
b) James Mill
Question 4. The English Education Act of 1835 was influenced by the views of which British official?
a) Charles Wood
b) William Jones
c) Thomas Macaulay
d) Warren Hastings
Answer:
c) Thomas Macaulay
Question 5. What was the main purpose of Wood’s Despatch of 1854?
a) To promote Oriental studies
b) To establish vocational training
c) To outline the educational policy in India
d) To restrict Indian languages in education
Answer:
c) To outline the educational policy in India
Question 6. Which institution was set up in response to Wood’s Despatch?
a) Calcutta University
b) Bombay Sanskrit College
c) Delhi School of Engineering
d) Madras Medical College
Answer:
a) Calcutta University
Question 7. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s view on English education in India?
a) It was essential for progress
a) It was essential for progress
b) It helped in understanding Western culture
c) It created a sense of inferiority
d) It promoted scientific temperament
Answer:
c) It created a sense of inferiority
Question 8. Who emphasized the importance of teaching science and technology at Santiniketan?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Thomas Macaulay
d) William Jones
Answer:
b) Rabindranath Tagore
Question 9. What was one of the objectives of education according to Wood’s Despatch?
a) To develop moral character
b) To promote Oriental languages
c) To oppose Western education
d) To support agricultural development
Answer:
a) To develop moral character
Question 10. What change did British education policy aim to bring in Indian society?
a) Reinforce traditional Indian values
b) Promote only religious education
c) Change tastes, values, and culture
d) Encourage resistance to Western influences
Answer:
c) Change tastes, values, and culture
Question 11. What was the attitude of William Jones and other Orientalists towards Indian culture?
a) Dismissive
b) Respectful and appreciative
c) Indifferent
d) Highly critical
Answer:
b) Respectful and appreciative
Question 12. What was the primary aim of the Hindu College, Benaras, established in 1791?
a) To promote Western science and literature
b) To study Indian languages and law
c) To encourage the study of Sanskrit texts useful for administration
d) To support British political interests
Answer:
c) To encourage the study of Sanskrit texts useful for administration
Question 13. What did the critics of Orientalism, like James Mill, advocate?
a) Promoting Eastern literature and culture
b) Focusing on practical and useful education
c) Preserving traditional Indian education systems
d) Establishing more Oriental institutions
Answer:
b) Focusing on practical and useful education
Question 14. Who advocated for the introduction of English education in India?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Mahatma Gandhi
c) Thomas Macaulay
d) William Jones
Answer:
c) Thomas Macaulay
Question 15. What was the primary objective of Wood’s Despatch of 1854?
a) To promote traditional Indian education
b) To outline a policy for the promotion of European learning in India
c) To support the study of Oriental languages
d) To establish vocational training institutions
Answer:
b) To outline a policy for the promotion of European learning in India
Question 16. Which universities were established in response to Wood’s Despatch?
a) Delhi and Pune Universities
b) Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay Universities
c) Bangalore and Hyderabad Universities
d) Aligarh and Agra Universities
Answer:
b) Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay Universities
Question 17. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s criticism of English education?
a) It was not practical
b) It alienated Indians from their culture
c) It was too focused on science
d) It ignored moral education
Answer:
b) It alienated Indians from their culture
Question 18. What was Rabindranath Tagore’s vision for education at Santiniketan?
a) Strict discipline and rote learning
b) Combining elements of Western and Indian education
c) Solely focusing on Indian traditional knowledge
d) Emphasizing only modern Western education
Answer:
b) Combining elements of Western and Indian education
Question 19. How did the introduction of English education impact Indian society according to the British?
a) It led to a decline in moral values
b) It created a demand for British goods
c) It isolated Indians from global developments
d) It resulted in the neglect of vocational training
Answer:
b) It created a demand for British goods
Question 20. What was one of the criticisms of missionary education in India?
a) It was too focused on science and technology
b) It neglected traditional Indian culture
c) It aimed primarily at religious conversion
d) It was too expensive and inaccessible
Answer:
c) It aimed primarily at religious conversion
Match the columns for Class 8 History Chapter 6
Unmatched Columns (Questions)
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Introduction of English Education | (a) Encouraged self-learning and creativity in education |
| (ii) Mahatma Gandhi’s Views on Education | (b) Implemented by Lord Macaulay’s minute in 1835 |
| (iii) Rabindranath Tagore’s Educational Vision | (c) Criticized English education for undermining Indian culture |
| (iv) Impact on Traditional Indian Education | (d) Establishment of Santiniketan |
Matched Columns (Answers)
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Introduction of English Education | (b) Implemented by Lord Macaulay’s minute in 1835 |
| (ii) Mahatma Gandhi’s Views on Education | (c) Criticized English education for undermining Indian culture |
| (iii) Rabindranath Tagore’s Educational Vision | (d) Establishment of Santiniketan |
| (iv) Impact on Traditional Indian Education | (a) Encouraged self-learning and creativity in education |
Fill in the Blanks Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 6 Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
1. The British in India wanted not only territorial conquest and control over revenues but also felt that they had a cultural mission to ___ the natives.
Answer:
civilise
2. William Jones arrived in Calcutta in 1783 and had an appointment as a junior judge at the ___.
Answer:
Supreme Court
3. Jones and Colebrooke shared a deep respect for ancient cultures, both of India and the ___.
Answer:
West
4. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was set up by William Jones and others, and they started a journal called ___.
Answer:
Asiatick Researches
5. A madrasa was set up in Calcutta in 1781 to promote the study of ___, ___, and Islamic law.
Answer:
Arabic, Persian
6. The Hindu College was established in Benaras in 1791 to encourage the study of ancient ___ texts.
Answer:
Sanskrit
7. Thomas Babington Macaulay saw India as an uncivilised country that needed to be ___.
Answer:
civilised
8. Macaulay urged that the British government in India stop wasting public money in promoting ___ learning.
Answer:
Oriental
9. The English Education Act of 1835 made English the medium of instruction for ___ education.
Answer:
higher
10. Wood’s Despatch of 1854 emphasised the practical benefits of a system of ___ learning.
Answer:
European
11. Missionaries felt that education should attempt to improve the ___ character of the people.
Answer:
moral
12. Mahatma Gandhi argued that colonial education created a sense of ___ in the minds of Indians.
Answer:
inferiority
