Question 7 from UPSC CSE 2020 - MODERN INDIA

Question

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purposes in India

Strategy: The strategy focuses on identifying the primary purpose of Fort William College: administrative training for British civilians. This involved understanding Indian languages and customs for efficient governance, driven by Wellesley's policy rather than London's directives or the promotion of oriental learning/missionary work.

Key Info: ## Fort William College: Purpose and Impact

Fort William College was founded in Calcutta in 1800 by Lord Wellesley, then Governor-General.

**Primary Objective:**
- Train British East India Company civil servants in Indian vernacular languages, law, and culture for more effective administration.
- This initiative was Wellesley's policy vision, not a directive from the Company's Court of Directors in London.

**Context & Role:**
- While the college contributed significantly to scholarly translation and publication of Indian texts, this was secondary to its administrative training function.
- William Carey, a missionary, was associated with the Serampore Mission, not primarily Fort William College, though he aided language work.
- Promotion of oriental learning or missionary employment were not its foundational motives.

**Lasting Impact:**
- Played a role in Indo-British scholarship.
- Contributed to the development of modern Indian languages and educational practices.

Answer

Option A: he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so

Answer

Option B: he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India

Answer

Option C: he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment