DOCSLIB.ORG

Book Reviews 159

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Book Reviews 159 Thankfully, most agencies today take concrete steps to avoid such disasters. Book Reviews 159 Samaj of Keshab Chandra Sen. The munities. But the problems of non- Brahmo Samaj was the great reform contextual Christianity are clearly Book movement of 19th-century India, and displayed for all who wish to learn under Sen it became remarkably Christ- why the gospel has made so little Reviews centered. (Keshab is mentioned a few impact on the Hindu world. Today times in the novel, but is a true historic Hindu society is being impacted by Gora, by Rabindranath Tagore figure. He joined the Brahmo Samaj as modernization and urbanization, yet (trans. Sujit Mukherjee, Delhi: a young man and later split the Samaj this new translation of a novel from Sahitya Akademi, 1997, paperback due to his Christ-centeredness and some the 1920’s was made just because the 2003, pp. 497 + xxiv.) personality issues.) issues Tagore saw then are still such vital issues in India today. Community —reviewed by H. L. Richard The hero of the novel is a Brahmo Samaji, Poresh Babu. Nothing is said remains at the center of Hindu lives ora is about what made this man the compas- and Hindu contexts. Feel it for your- G short for sionate, wise, spiritually-minded man self in this novel, and then see how Gourmohan, that he is, but nothing needs to be said; it rings true as you get heart to heart the central he clearly learned it from the Keshab with Hindu friends. figure in Brahmo Samaj, and so from Christ, Exploring the Depths of the Mys- this strik- interpreted according to insights from tery of Christ: K. Subba Rao’s Eclec- ing novel by Hindu spirituality. Poresh Babu’s rejec- tic Praxis of Hindu Discipleship to Rabindranath tion by society suggests that he is some- Tagore. Gora thing of a Christ-figure in the novel, but Jesus, by H. L. Richard (Bangalore: is a powerful it is better to view him as a picture of a Centre for Contemporary Christian- leader in Hindu society who repre- contextual disciple of Christ. ity, 2005) sents what is today called “Hindu This novel is all about community, and —reviewed by Aaron Glenn nationalism” or Hindutva or Hindu community is the essential fact to grasp fundamentalism. As the novel is set in Hindu contexts. Thus this is a bril- o follow in the 1880’s, it is only a nascent form liant introduction to contextualization T Christ is of this ideology whose emotional and in the Hindu world. The importance of to truly enter intellectual appeal is impressively community for contextualization, despite into the greatest presented in many of the dialogs in being often overlooked, is easily defined, of all myster- this novel. but in Tagore’s novel it is deeply felt ies. Emmanuel, Yet Tagore is powerfully oppos- rather than merely defined. God with us, ing the Hindutva position. “Gora” is a comfort- The Brahmo Samaj, with an impressive in fact means white man, and the ing yet baffling ideology and a heroic figure in Poresh reader is early let in on the secret that notion. How Babu (not to mention Keshab), is yet Gourmohan is not a pure Brahmin, better could humanity know God than completely marginalized in Hindu but rather an unclean European who to experience him as a man? God is society by its insistence on communal was adopted as an orphaned infant. inherently contextual in his pursuit of separation from the Hindu body. At a Gora’s mother is treated as unclean by his creatures, but his creatures have number of points Christianity makes Hindu society as she violates all caste a hard time seeing things from any a marginal appearance in the novel as taboos so as to live consistently with other perspective than their own. Our a still worse example of the disease of the violations involved in loving her tendency to prioritize our own per- Pharisaical separation that mars the adopted son. Gora’s Brahmin father spective is often detrimental, especially Brahmo Samaj. Of course one could stays away from him, and Gora him- with regards to the propagation of the argue that Tagore is not being fair to self only learns the truth in the next- Gospel Message. At the heart of the Christianity, but he is fair indeed to to-last of seventy-six brief chapters. matter is the unavoidable tension cre- Hindu perceptions of Christianity. ated when we attempt to distinguish Tagore is promoting a romantic One will not find in this novel solutions what we believe to be God’s universal humanistic ideology in this novel, but to the many problems and tensions message of salvation from a culturally does so by contrasting the nascent involved in contextual discipleship to specific context. Hindutva ideology with the Brahmo Jesus within Hindu families and com- International Journal of Frontier Missiology 24:3 Fall 2007 160 Book Reviews Exploring the Depths of the Mystery Overall, Exploring the Depths of the themselves whether Smith’s evidence of Christ by H.L. Richard is a rare Mystery of Christ calls for the reader to supports this criticism. find for many reasons. In the book, put on a new pair of cultural glasses and The romantic missionary hero William Richard not only highlights the ask how Christ would look if he had Carey was a great linguist who trans- primary issues surrounding the been Indian. Subba Rao was not a theo- lated the Bible into multiple languages. contextualization of the Gospel in logian, but his focus on an experiential Smith only reaffirms what is a com- India, but he does so by telling the and contextual relationship with Christ monplace among serious students, that story of a unique individual. K. Subba sheds light into the Hindu worldview. in fact Carey was a poor linguist whose Rao is among those rare pioneers who This should be required reading for translation principles were foundation- challenged the accepted definitions of anyone interested in India and the ally skewed. This must not detract doctrine and dogma as defined by the related topics of contextualization from the incredible impetus given to established Christian church on his among Hindus. translation work by Carey’s remarkable personal journey into the mystery of effort and output. Christ. It is indeed unique to hear the The Serampore Mission Enterprise, story of an individual who followed by A. Christopher Smith (Studies in The romantic missionary hero William Christ, but remained unashamedly the Gospel Interface with Indian Carey was a great pioneer of cross- anti-Christian. Although not without Contexts, Centre for Contemporary cultural ministry. Smith shows that controversy, the telling of Subba Rao’s Christianity, Bangalore, 2006) Carey was really only deeply related story helps the reader draw a distinc- to the Bengali people during his first —reviewed by H. L. Richard tion between Christianity as a religion six exceedingly difficult years. From and one Hindu’s attempt to follow his volume the time of his move to Serampore in Christ as a true devotee. contains six 1800, and particularly after accepting T employment from the British govern- Included in Richard’s research, and previously pub- ment in 1801, Carey was confined central to understanding Subba Rao, lished and now re- to the mission compound and the are thirty-four songs written by the edited papers along teaching institute in Calcutta (par- Hindu disciple, which survive as the with a new con- ticularly the latter, far more than even only written legacy by this man of tribution focused being in Serampore). But those six peculiar faith. These songs are very on the evange- years of immersion in local life gave Psalm-like in devotional quality, listic work of the Carey an insight into Bengali life far and true to Subba Rao’s worldview, Serampore Trio. deeper than was ever attained by the their lines are full of Hindu imagery There is also an eighth brief closing vast majority of Protestant missionar- and concepts while being expressly chapter and eight appendixes. There ies who followed him to Bengal in the Christocentric. Hindu philosophical are broad introductory papers and succeeding decades. and theological words are included also papers focused on specific details; within the text in a transliterated this is not a comprehensive study on The relation of mission and colo- form for those who have or are inter- William Carey and the contributions of nial government is a theme running ested in acquiring a basic vocabulary Serampore to world missions. throughout this book, and is a topic that of common Hindu terminology. Smith writes with great esteem for makes it a book that needs to be read. The ministry of Serampore was clearly Another nugget found in the book is William Carey and his cohort in compromised by colonial associations, the appendix, which goes into much Bengal. He is careful to give due credit even though they set up shop in the needed detail regarding Orientalism to all of Carey’s illustrious co-workers, Danish territory of Serampore because and Post-orientalism as it pertains and also traces out the rather notori- it was illegal to exist as a mission in to India and its effects on the life of ous aspects of the conflict between British India! (The book title contains K. Subba Rao. The appendix alone the senior and junior missionaries that a double meaning, as local perception could be the subject of a discussion developed in the second decade of could only have been of the mission as a group and is an enlightening addi- the mission.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Alexander Duff Pioneer of Missionary Education Alexand Er Duff a T Th I Rty Alexander Duff Pioneer of Missionary Education
    ALEXANDER DUFF PIONEER OF MISSIONARY EDUCATION ALEXAND ER DUFF A T TH I RTY ALEXANDER DUFF PIONEER OF MISSIONARY EDUCATION By WILLIAM PATON ACTING SECRETARY OF THB INDIA NATIONAL MISSIONARY COUNCIL LATE MISSIONARY SECRETARY OF THE STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT JOINT• AUTHOR OF "THE HIGHWAY OF GOD" AND AUTHOR OF "SOCIAL IDEALS IN INDIA, 11 ETC. WNDON STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT 32 RUSSELL SQUARE, W.C.l 1923 Made atul Printed in Great Britain by Turnbwll 6' Spears, Edinburrlt EDITORIAL NOTE THIS volume is the second of a uniform series of new missionary biographies. The series makes no pretence of adding new facts to those already known. The aim rather is to give to the world of to-day a fresh interpretation and a richer understanding of the life and work of great missionaries. A group of unusually able writers are collaborating, and three volumes will be issued each year. The enterprise is being undertaken by the United Council for Missionary Education, for whom the series is published by the Student Christian Move­ ment. K. M. U.C.M.E. A. E. C. 2 EATON GATE S.W.l 6 TO DAVID AND JAMES AUTHOR'S PREFACE SoME apology is needed for the appearance of a new sketch of the life of Alexander Duff, especially as the present writer cannot lay claim to any special sources of information which were not available when the earlier biographies were written. The reader will not find in this book fresh light on Duff, except in so far as the course of events in itself proves a man's work and makes clear its strength and weakness.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Grand and Capacious Gothic Churches': Pluralism and Victorian
    Tyndale Bulletin 43.1 (1992) 139-154. ‘GRAND AND CAPACIOUS GOTHIC CHURCHES’: PLURALISM AND VICTORIAN MISSIONARIES Peter Williams Nothing is easier than to set the nineteenth century missionary movement up as a resource for negative models of missionary work. Thus its missionaries can easily be presented as unreflective imperialists—the bible in one hand, with the flag of their country in the other; as culturally insensitive imagining that no objective was higher than replicating European and American value systems in previously pagan settings; as narrowly evangelistic without any concern for a fully-orbed Gospel able to take account of social needs; as uncomprehendingly hostile to every religious system they met which was not Christian, indeed which was not evangelical Christian. There is obviously some truth in all of these assessments and it would not be difficult to assemble apparently supportive evidence. It will be argued however that there was a much stronger awareness of the issues than we often credit; that theologically the insights were often quite profound; that weaknesses there undoubtedly were but that these related less to an absence of theology than to a disputed theology. In brief Victorian missionaries provide not an example of a generation which thought little or which thought simplistically about mission strategy but rather one where the thinking, at any rate of some of its some most significant figures, was unexpectedly profound. If that is so, then it makes them somewhat more disturbing. It is not then that they lacked sophistication but rather that they very imperfectly implemented a quite profound analysis. They did not for example fail to move from mission to Church because they ignored the question—indeed they provided quite detailed analysis of how that end could be achieved.
    [Show full text]
  • A Residential Autonomous College Affiliated to Calcutta University
    A Residential Autonomous College affiliated to Calcutta University Re-accredited by NAAC with ‘Grade A’ College with Potential for Excellence RUSA-funded Institution DST-FIST Awarded College Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal, PIN : 711202 Website : www.vidyamandira.ac.in Email : [email protected] Phone : 033-26549181, 033-26549632, ; Fax : 033-26541123 Annual Report on Cultural Activities Session 2014-15 Intra-College Competitions: o Total No of Competitions organized : 10 o Names of the Competitions : Extempore Speech, Rabindra Sangeet (Vocal), Devotional Song (Vocal), Tabla Lahara, Drama, Drawing, Debate, Sanskrit Recitation, English Recitation, Quiz, Inter-Bhavan (Hostels) Wall Magazine o Total No of Participants : 190 (approximate) Inter-College Competitions: o Inter-College Debate Competition : The Cultural Sub-committee of the college organized an inter-college Bengali recitation competition to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. This competition was held on 22nd November, 2014 and 33 candidates from 18 colleges/ universities participated there. Sayak Misra of our college was awarded the second prize. o Quiz Competition on Swami Vivekananda: Swami Tejasananda memorial Inter-College Quiz Competition was held on 28th September, 2014. 53 Student-teams from different colleges/universities took part in it. Participation and performance of the students in Off-campus Academic and Cultural Competitions : Sstudents of Vidyamandira also took part in various cultural competitions outside the college. Following students distinguished themselves in various inter-college competitions held in 2014-15: Sl Competition Name of student with Organized by No. rank 1. Youth Festival 2014 1. Ranit Paul (UG-II) - 1st ISKCON, Kolkata in Extempore Speech Competition and 2nd in Quiz Competition 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Serampore College
    Serampore College COLLEGE EMBLEM The college coat of arms contains (i) the CROSS, the important symbol of sacrifice and love, as witnessed the life and death of Jesus Christ (ii) the BIBLE, which contains the word of God for all humanity and the pelican of Piety, feeding with drops of her own blood the three hungry young ones sitting on the edge of her nest. The motto on the crest reads in Latin Gloriam Sapientes Possidebunt which means “The Wise Shall Possess Glory” (Proverbs 3:35), inviting all those entering the portals of this Institution to live up to the ideals cherished by the blessed founders. THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLEGE The supreme task of this historic institution is to impart to our students, knowledge that shall culminate in true wisdom, the sure foundation both of well-being and well-doing. The College stands for education of the whole person enabling its students to be people of sound learning and sterling character and motivating them to serve humanity with dedication. The College affirms from experience that the intermingling of students from different backgrounds is healthy and is of great help in the interest of broad culture and strong character. Further, the College stands for quality first, quantity second. Serampore College objective is to develop well- rounded individuals that possess critical 21st century capabilities. DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF SERAMPORE COLLEGE Since Serampore was a Danish Colony from 1755 to 1845, the Baptist missionaries were given all encouragement to develop their educational enterprise by the Danish Governors, Colonel Bie and his successor, Colonel Krefting.
    [Show full text]
  • UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Educating Women Physicians of the World: International Students of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1883-1911 Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9gh5b9j1 Author Pripas-Kapit, Sarah Ross Publication Date 2015 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Educating Women Physicians of the World: International Students of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1883-1911 A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in History by Sarah Ross Pripas-Kapit 2015 © Copyright by Sarah Ross Pripas-Kapit 2015 ! ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Educating Women Physicians of the World: International Students of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1883-1911 by Sarah Ross Pripas-Kapit Doctor of Philosophy in History Professor Ellen Carol Dubois, Chair This dissertation presents a comparative examination of a cohort of international students who attended the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) from the years 1883 to 1911. The dissertation consider how these women came to study medicine in the United States, their experiences in the U.S., and how they later practiced medicine in their home countries. The dissertation argues that the global dissemination of modern medicine, and the maintenance of U.S. imperial power, has been in part enabled by the willing cooperation of transnational intermediaries such as these women. However, the students’ lives were in large part shaped by changes within American medicine during this period, in which medical education was changing rapidly.
    [Show full text]
  • SERAMPORE COLLEGE Founded by Carey, Marshman and Ward 1818 Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1827 and Bengal Govt
    SERAMPORE COLLEGE Founded by Carey, Marshman and Ward 1818 Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1827 and Bengal Govt. Act. IV of 1918 Serampore College 9, William Carey Road, Serampore Hooghly, West Bengal, 712201 UGC SPONSORED CAREER ORIENTED DIPLOMA COURSE IN APPLIED SOCIOLOGY Prospectus: 2019-20 The Applied Sociology program prepares individuals for the contemporary workforce and provides a greater understanding of our diverse communities. This flexible, interdisciplinary add-on course examines individual behaviour and group dynamics, particularly ways of dealing with social conflicts and problems. In addition to teaching students to work collaboratively, this course will enhance students’ verbal and written communication skills and analytical abilities. To reach a variety of learners, the Applied Sociology program utilizes a variety of educational methods, including information sessions, case study analysis, collaborative learning activities, and independent and team research opportunities. This programme provides the context for introducing the principles as, case study, and experimentation, with a special emphasis on understanding survey research. This course focuses on the interpersonal level to global level. In addition, the students will learn how society has attempted to prevent and control deviance, and address the question if rehabilitation is possible. Students can be benefited in a cohort setting by meeting other adults in similar situations and developing these relationships professionally, academically and socially. This course also examines which job opportunities are available and what they offer. Students can learn which skills people need to work successfully with others and what leads to job satisfaction as well as the students will learn about how new technologies create career opportunities. General objectives of the course: This course is to introduce students to the basic concepts and application of methods in applied sociology.
    [Show full text]
  • Serampore College Faculty of Arts Science Commerce Admission Notification for Undergraduate Courses Academic Session 2020 -2021
    SERAMPORE COLLEGE FACULTY OF ARTS SCIENCE COMMERCE ADMISSION NOTIFICATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES ACADEMIC SESSION 2020 -2021 GENERAL GUIDELINES Admission will be online. Applicants are not required to visit the college campus for admission purpose. All information pertaining to this will be available in our website www.seramporecollege.org Admission will ordinarily be IN ORDER OF MERIT. But the College Governing Body reserves the right to use discretion in cases involving the interest of the College. ADMISSION WILL BE PROVISIONAL AND SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION AFTER VERIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY COLLEGE AUTHORITY WHEN STUDENTS REPORT FOR CLASSES IN DUE COURSE. Candidates who have qualified H.S or its equivalent examination in 2019 and 2020 are eligible to apply. 30% seats are reserved for Christian Candidates, for all Honours/Major and General subjects. 3% seats are reserved for PWD (Persons with Disability) Candidates, for all Honours/Major and General subjects. Students are admitted under Sports Category only in General courses. Admission under Sports Category is subject to policy adopted by University of Calcutta, West Bengal Higher Education Department and guidelines framed by the college. The college authority will strictly follow the instructions of the University of Calcutta and West Bengal Higher Education Department as and when notified. Candidates should follow College website for updates. There is NO RESERVATION for SC/ST/OBC candidates. However, they should submit relevant documents for the purpose of keeping records. APPLICATION PROCESS ONLINE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORMS (HONOURS/MAJOR & GENERAL): Through college website (www.seramporecollege.org) from 10.08.2020 (11.30 a.m.) to 21.08.2020 (11:55 p.m.) 1 Application fees of Rs.
    [Show full text]
  • Serampore College
    Page 1 of 2 Receipt No. Med plt/ 2018/ Date: For Office Use Te: (033) 2662-2322 Recommended for admission Serampore College Fax: (033) 2662-3816 Course Coordinator Founded by Carey, Marshman and Ward 1818 Email: [email protected] Incorporated by Royal Charter 1827 and 9, William Carey Road, Bengal Govt. Act IV of 1918 as Modified up to 1997 by the Serampore, Hooghly Govt. Of West Bengal West Bengal, India Affix recent self PIN- 712201 attested photograph (Re- Accredited “A” Grade by NAAC) Affiliated to University of Calcutta Application form for admission to Certificate Course on “Medicinal Plants: Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable approaches” Category (please tick): GEN Christian Minority Physically Challenged SC/ ST/ OBC Caste: Hindu / Muslim / Christian / others (please specify)……................................................................. 1. Name of the applicant (in Block letters)......................................................................................................... 2. Present address .............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. Contact No. ..................................... 3. Permanent Address ......................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Dr. Amit Bandyopadhyay M.Sc., Ph.D., FICN Assistant Professor
    CURRICULUM VITAE Dr. Amit Bandyopadhyay M.Sc., Ph.D., FICN Assistant Professor Sports and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta University Colleges of Science & Technology, 92, A. P. C. Road, Kolkata: 700009, India. Phone : +91 33 23508386 / 6387 / 6396 (Extn. 317) Fax : +91 33 23519755, Telegram: SCIENCE Mobile & WhatsApp: +91 8334870640 e-mail: office : [email protected] personal : [email protected] [email protected] Personal Details Mother’s Name : Mrs. Indira Banerjee Father’s Name : Mr. Sunil Kumar Banerjee Date of Birth : 13th September, 1974. Permanent Residential : 40, Beni Banerjee Lane, P.O. Baidyabati, Address Dist. Hooghly, West Bengal, Pin: 712 222, India Present Residential Address : Flat No. 3, 1st Floor, Urmila Apartment C–51/2, Brahmapur More, P.O. Brahmapur Kolkata: 700096, West Bengal, India. Passport No. : H9376278 (New), B0967500 (Old) Marital Status : Married Spouse’s Name : Piyali Mukherjee No. of children : One daughter (DOB: 15.02.07) and one son (DOB: 17.12.08) Educational Qualification : ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6811-4587 Sl. Name of the Year of Board / University Subjects % of Division No. Examination Passing Marks or Class Madhyamik West Bengal Board of Bengali, English, Mathematics, 01. Examination 1991 Secondary Education Physical Science, Life Science, 64.55 1st (Class – 10) History, Geography, Work & Physical Education. Higher West Bengal Council Bengali, English, Physics, 02. Secondary 1993 of Higher Secondary Chemistry, Mathematics, 65.9 1st Examination Education Biology (Class 10+2) 03. B.Sc. 1997 University of Calcutta Physiology (Hons.), 63.37 1st ( Honours ) Zoology (Pass), Botany (Pass) Physiology 04. M.Sc.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluative Report of the Department of History
    Evaluative Report of the Department of History 1. Name of the Department History Its year of establishment Established in 1960-61. 2. Names of Programmes / Courses offered (UG, PG, M.Phil., Ph.D., Integrated Masters; Integrated Ph.D., etc.) – Programme Level of study 3 year Honours U.G. 2 year General U.G. 3. Interdisciplinary courses and departments involved- None 4. Annual/ semester/choice based credit system Till 2009 the annual examination system under the Three Year UG scheme of Calcutta University was operational After the grant of Autonomy status from the academic session 2010-2011 onwards the Semester system has been adopted. 5. Participation of the department in the courses offered by other departments Nil 6. Number of teaching posts sanctioned and filled (Professors/Associate Professors/Asst. Professors) Sanctioned Filled Professor Associate Professors - 1 Asst. Professors 4 2* *One Part-time Teacher (PTT) [Govt.] is also serving in the Department. 7. Faculty profile with name, qualification, designation, specialisation (D.Sc./D.Litt./ Ph.D./M.Phil., etc.) Name Qualification Designation Specialization No. of No. of years of Phd 1 experience students guided Dr. Soumyajyoti MA, Phd Associate Economic 30 No Chakraborty Professor History of India Prithwiraj Biswas M.A. Assistant Medieval 14 No Professor Indian History Santanu Dey MA, Mphil. Assistant Modern 10 No Professor Indian History Gautam MA Part time Economic 10 No Mukhopadhyay teacher History of [Govt.] India Saptarshi MA Visiting Ancient 5 No Chakraborty Faculty Indian History Rajesh Biswas MA, MPhil Visiting Modern 5 No Faculty Indian History Arnab Adhikari MA Visiting Regional 1 No Faculty History Abhirup Sinha MA Visiting Modern 1 No Faculty Indian History 8.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Christian Missionaries in Bengal
    Bhatter College Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies Approved by the UGC (Serial No. 629, Subjects: Education, Broad category: Social Sciences) ISSN 2249-3301, Vol. VII, Number 1, 2017 Article url: www.bcjms.bhattercollege.ac.in/v7/n1/en-v7-01-07.pdf Article DOI: 10.25274/bcjms.v7n1.en-v7-01-07 The Genesis of English Education: the Role of Christian Missionaries in Bengal Thakurdas Jana Guest Lecturer, Department of English, Bhatter College, Dantan Abstract English Language Education has been an important factor for the uplift and development of an individual in this twenty first century when English is regarded as a lingua franca in the countries formerly colonized by the British. In every stratum of the society we need to learn English to have an easeful life. But the vernacular elementary education provided by the Pathsalas earlier was inadequate as observed by British observers like William Ward, William Adam and Francis Buchanan. In this situation, the Christian missionaries established many schools in West Bengal from 1819 onwards with the aim of providing western education to the mass of Bengal for their socio-cultural betterment. At that time Christian missionaries like Alexander Duff, William Carey, established many schools for providing English Education in and around Calcutta. Again George Pearce founded an English school at Durgapur in 1827. In the late 1820’s the missionaries achieved more success with the teaching of English. They made social and educational reform after Charter Act 1813 which permitted and financially helped them to spread English education in Bengal. This paper aims at unfolding the role played by those missionaries in spreading English education in Bengal.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aims and Objectives of Missionary Education in the Colonial Era in India
    The Aims and Objectives of Missionary Education in the Colonial Era in India Mavra Farooq In Colonial India Missionaries used education as a tool for propagating Christianity. The Scottish and Protestant Missions had profound ? on the educational set ups of India. This study examines the aims and objectives of the missionaries brought educational and religious ideas with them and pressures put forth by their own followers. The Missionaries had deep impact on the local culture. The Missionaries strategies were changed as they got feedback while achieving their goals. The missionaries also arranged with Government but both of them had different educational strategies and aims. The Missionary education was more secular than the education under Government in the context of Alexander Duff’s strategy. There was a clear difference between the education ? at the town level through English medium of instruction and the attempt to impart knowledge at village level through local languages. The paper also focuses on missionaries aims and how they were successful at village level. The missionary’s major aim was to develop local agencies in institutions. Due to many reasons this aim was diverted but ultimately became the strongest aim and strategy as it was highly commended by World Missionary Conference. A number of questions regarding the aim of missionary education arise like: were the missionaries mainly concerned with using educational institutions to give training to local or people The Aims and Objectives of Missionary Education in the Colonial Era in India 119 they considered themselves as outposts of evangelism? Were the Christians institutions meant to diffuse Christian knowledge through out the nation or intended specifically to raise the educational standards of the growing Christian community? In which direction there was a missionary ideas about the philosophy of education; the Baptist agency started work with main interest in the education.
    [Show full text]