MasteryExams
History • Modern IndiaEasy

The historic 'Wood's Despatch' of 1854, often termed the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India', was formulated during the governor-generalship of:

A. Lord Dalhousie✓ Correct Answer
B. Lord William Bentinck
C. Lord Canning
D. Lord Auckland

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Wood Despatch of 1854 was issued by Charles Wood, President of the Board of Control, during the governor-generalship of Lord Dalhousie, laying down a formal hierarchical structure for Indian education from primary schools to universities. Other figures like Lord William Bentinck are associated with earlier milestones such as the English Education Act of 1835. This document recommended the establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which materialized in 1857. The Despatch recommended the promotion of vernacular languages at the primary level alongside English for higher education.

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