NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 6 – Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation Summary 

Before we move to the civilising the native educating the nation class 8 question answer, let’s first understand the core ideas and background of this chapter.

British Perspective on Indian Education

When the British East India Company began its rule, it didn't just want land and revenue; it wanted to change the culture. This is what they meant by "civilising the native." However, British officials were deeply divided on how to achieve this.

The Orientalist Vision

In the late 18th century, figures like William Jones and Henry Thomas Colebrooke arrived in India. They were known as Orientalists. They had a deep respect for ancient Indian heritage and believed that the British should encourage the study of Indian texts in Sanskrit and Persian. They felt that by doing so, the British would win the hearts of the "natives."

The Anglicist Attack

By the 1830s, a different group called the Anglicists began to criticise the Orientalist approach. Led by Thomas Babington Macaulay, they argued that Oriental learning was "unscientific" and full of errors. Macaulay famously claimed that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia. He pushed for English to be the medium of instruction.

Wood’s Despatch and Educational Reforms

In 1854, the British government introduced the Wood’s Despatch, which played a key role in shaping modern education in India. It promoted English education, encouraged the setting up of schools and universities, and aimed to create a class of Indians who could assist the British in administration.

Mahatma Gandhi’s View on Education

Mahatma Gandhi strongly criticised English education. He believed it created a sense of inferiority among Indians and disconnected them from their culture. Gandhi proposed a system of basic education that focused on handicrafts, self-reliance, and learning through practical work.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Vision of Education

Rabindranath Tagore had a different approach. He believed education should be natural, creative, and enjoyable. He established Santiniketan, where students learned in an open environment, close to nature, with a balance of Indian traditions and modern Western ideas.

Chapter 6 History Important Dates and Terms to Remember 

• 1781: A Madrasa was set up in Calcutta to promote the study of Arabic and Persian.

• 1791: Hindu College was established in Benaras.

• 1835: The English Education Act was introduced.

• 1854: Wood’s Despatch was sent to India.

• Linguist: Someone who knows and studies several languages.

• Orientalists: Those with a scholarly knowledge of the language and culture of Asia.

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Civilising the Native Educating the Nation Class 8 Question Answer

Below are the detailed civilising the native educating the nation class 8 NCERT solutions for the questions found in your textbook.

1. Match the Following

To simplify your revision, here is the correct mapping of the key figures and their educational philosophies:

2. State whether True or False

• James Mill was a severe critic of the Orientalists.

• True. Mill believed education should be "useful" and practical, rather than just focused on poetry or sacred texts.

• The 1854 Despatch on education was in favour of English being introduced as a medium of higher education in India.

• True. Known as Wood’s Despatch, it emphasised the practical benefits of European learning.

• Mahatma Gandhi thought that promotion of Literacy was the most important aim of education.

• False. Gandhi believed education should develop a person's mind and soul, focusing on handicrafts and character building rather than just literacy.

• Rabindranath Tagore felt that children ought to be subjected to strict discipline.

• False. Tagore believed children should be free and creative; he hated the "prison-like" atmosphere of colonial schools.

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3. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 

1. Who were known as Orientalists?
   a) British soldiers
   b) Scholars who studied Indian culture
   c) Indian kings
   d) Traders

Answer: b) Scholars who studied Indian culture

2. Who introduced English education in India?
   a) William Jones
   b) Mahatma Gandhi
   c) Thomas Macaulay
   d) Rabindranath Tagore

Answer: c) Thomas Macaulay

3. What was the aim of Wood’s Despatch?
   a) Promote Indian languages
   b) Promote Western education
   c) Ban education
   d) Focus only on religion

Answer: b) Promote Western education

4. Who founded Santiniketan?
   a) Gandhi
   b) Macaulay
   c) Tagore
   d) James Mill

Answer: c) Tagore

4. Fill in the Blanks 

1. The Orientalists promoted the study of ______ and Persian.
   Answer: Sanskrit

2. Thomas Macaulay supported ______ education.
   Answer: English

3. ______ Despatch was introduced in 1854.
   Answer: Wood’s

4. Santiniketan was founded in the year ______.
   Answer: 1901

5. Very Short Answer Questions

1. Who were the Orientalists?
   They were scholars who believed in promoting Indian languages and culture.

2. What did Macaulay propose?
   He proposed introducing English education in India.

3. What is Wood’s Despatch?
   It was an educational policy introduced in 1854.

4. Who established Santiniketan?
   Rabindranath Tagore established Santiniketan.

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Class 8 Chapter 6 History Long Question Answer

The following civilising the native educating the nation class 8 history question answer will help you understand key concepts in detail and prepare effectively for exams: 

Why did William Jones feel the need to study Indian history, philosophy, and law?

William Jones felt a deep respect for ancient Indian culture. He believed that studying Indian texts would help the British understand the laws and customs of the land, making it easier to govern. Additionally, he thought it would help Indians rediscover their own heritage and understand the glory of their past.

Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was essential in India?

Both Mill and Macaulay were convinced that Eastern knowledge was "unscientific" and "superstitious." They argued that:

• It was not "useful" in a practical or economic sense.

• European education would make Indians aware of the advantages of trade and commerce.

• It would change their tastes and desires, creating a demand for British goods.

• It would produce a class of Indians who could assist the British in administration.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts?

Mahatma Gandhi was a strong critic of English education. He argued that it "enslaved" Indians and created a sense of inferiority. He wanted children to learn handicrafts because:

• It would make them self-sufficient.

• It allowed them to use their hands and develop their minds simultaneously.

• It focused on practical knowledge rather than just reading and writing.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi think that English education had enslaved Indians?

Gandhi believed that English education made Indians admire Western civilisation while despising their own. By learning in a foreign language, Indians were distanced from their own social surroundings and became "strangers in their own lands."

Summary Table: Comparing Different Educational Views

 Key Takeaways Class 8 History Chapter 6

Understanding this chapter is vital for grasping how the current education system in India evolved. The conflict between traditional learning and colonial "modernisation" shaped the identities of millions. By using these class 8 chapter 6 history NCERT solutions, you can ensure you have a clear grasp of the different perspectives that built the foundation of schooling in India.

The civilising the native educating the nation class 8 question answer provided here are designed to help you score better by focusing on the core arguments of each historical figure. Remember to focus on the "why" behind the British actions and the "how" of the Indian response.

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