3.7 English Utilitarian and India
- British liberalism : Macaulays liberal vision that BR adm task was for emancipation of IN through active governance
- Led to birth of Utilitarialism w/ authoritarian tendencies
- Character of British Utilitarianism : Good laws, efficient adm
- James Stuart Mill
- tranformed it to a militant faith,
- said that IN wanted effective schoolmaster,
- law comm 1833, penal code 1835 estd based on Benthamite model
- Mill favoured vernacular ed
- Macaulays Education Minute 1835 to further Eng edu among masses
- Bentick followed middle path abolished infanticide, sati but also retained faith in IN traditions
- Post 1857 Victorian liberalism became dominant ideology - reform was pointless and dangerous
- Authoritarian Liberalism of James Fitzjames Stephen
- Rise of racial sciences, white civilised, natives savages
PYQs
- Assess the impact of the utilitarian ideas in molding the British attitude towards India. How did the utilitarian try to solve the problem of land revenue? [1992, 60m]
- British liberalism - Macaulays liberal vision that B adm task
- Utilitarian ideas influenced Munro, Elphinstone took initiative
- "The British Indian State experienced the 'wind of change' with the arrival of Lord William Bentinck." Comment. [1999, 20m]
- William Bentick as GG, changes brought by him :
- "Sprung from paternalism, the English Utilitarian philosophy as introduced in India rejected its human warmth between rulers and the ruled." Comment. [2008, 20m]
- English Utilitarian and India
- "James Mill, the apostle of utilitarian philosophy, proposed a revolution off Indian society through the 'weapon of law' solely. But in actual policy framing, other influences and considerations weighed much more than the colonial State." Elucidate. [2015, 20m]
- English Utilitarian and India
- "Peace had her victories no less renowned than war." Examine this statement with reference to Lord William Bentinck. [2016, 20m]
- William Bentick as GG, changes brought by him :