“English education has enslaved us”
Mahatma Gandhi argued that Western education fostered a sense of inferiority among Indians, leading them to perceive Western culture as superior and undermining their pride in their own heritage. He advocated for an educational system that would restore Indians’ dignity and self-respect, encouraging students to boycott educational institutions during the national movement to demonstrate their refusal to be subjugated by the British.
Gandhi criticized English education for alienating Indians from their social environment, rendering them “strangers in their own lands.” He emphasized the importance of education in nurturing both the mind and soul, asserting that literacy alone did not constitute true education. As nationalist sentiments grew, other thinkers contemplated a national education system distinct from the British model.
CBSE Class 8 History Notes Chapter 7 – Civilising the Native, Educating the Nation
CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 6 – “Civilising the Native, Educating the Nation” aims to elucidate the impact of British rule on students’ lives. The British presence in India extended beyond territorial dominance and revenue management; they also perceived a cultural obligation to “civilise the natives” and reform their traditions and beliefs.
By understanding the notes for Chapter 6 of CBSE Class 8 History, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of these concepts.