Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2020 · Modern History and the Freedom Struggle · Question 14

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

  1. he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so
  2. he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India
  3. he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment
  4. he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India

Answer

he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India

  • (a) Incorrect — Fort William College was founded by Lord Wellesley in 1800 on his own initiative; the Court of Directors in London actually disapproved of it later.
  • (b) Incorrect — Its main aim was not revival of oriental learning; it was a practical training institution for Company servants.
  • (c) Incorrect — William Carey and others were associated with language work at Fort William, but the college was not created to provide them employment.
  • (d) Correct — Wellesley established it to train newly arrived British civil servants in Indian languages, laws and administration for effective governance.

Therefore, the correct answer is (d).

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