INTRODUCTION
The chapter
describes the introduction of English language in India in four phases. Every
phase has its unique importance as well as significance. The four phases of
English language are
(i) 1800-1857
(First Phase)
(ii) 1857-1880
(Second Phase)
(iii)
1880-1947 (Third Phase)
(iv) 1947-2004
(Fourth Phase)
Introduction of English was
totally a new concept for Indians in the beginning and it not only broadened
their thinking and knowledge, but also gave them the new concepts of freedom,
equality and individual dignity. It helped them to get India free also.
Use of English resulted in
mental growth and broad thinking.
In early
Indian phase, English represented a position of power.
In the
beginning it was very difficult, almost impossible to adopt, as it was an
alien/foreign language, difficult to understand or to speak. However, it was
done in first phase with the great determination and hard work.
A framework of
policy was made to bring in this foreign language and to make people aware of
it, to make them understand, read it as well as to convey the message of better
thinking and culture through it.
In this phase
India had to cover a long distance to reach to modernity as it was stuck in
orthodoxy.
English
brought our elites and middle class individuals face to face with a different
perspective.
The first phase had inspired only thinkers and
reformers whereas the second phase
(1957-1880) was productive in literature.
During
second phase, English affected the ideas
and value system of the Indian society largely. With increasing knowledge of
English, a large number of creative minds began to look at their counterparts
in England as their role models and sought to emulate their example.
It helped the
Indian society/mind to wrestle free from the highly stylized and moralistic
renderings of myths in the society.
With the efforts of reformers,
a meaningful interaction came into existence. People realized that language can
be used as a medium of
expression as well as communication by any community or society,
irrespective of the place from where it had originated.
During this
phase, appeal of the English remained
restricted in Indian environment.
The
third phase (1880-1947) brought out the
inefficiency of a foreign language. This phase was marked by the dialectic of
supporting and opposing the emerging situation under the influence of a growing
nationalistic awareness resulting in the final attainment of freedom from the
British in 1947.
Our society
developed the feeling of commonness. Indian National Movement started at the
end of 19th century and resulted in the independence. Only the enlightened
sections in India had a modernity and rationality as well as a moral daring.
The third
phase marks the hey-day of Indian languages and literatures that pushed the
language of our colonial masters clearly to the margins.
The
post-independence phase i.e. the fourth phase
(1947-2004) is highly problematic despite the fact that English has
become a part of Indian life and its importance is increasing day by day. The
new trends are constantly increasing in the country. This is resulting in the
slowing down of the progress and growth of Indian languages.
Having become
a medium of instruction, English has replaced all the Indian languages at
school as well as university level. Media also has got affected by it.
Even in the
present scenario, the people who can't read or speak English, feel guilty and
conscious. Institutes which teach English are becoming popular day by day.
The role model
of today's youth is a smartly dressed English speaking individual. With the
spoken English, English writing is also increasing day by day. Research work as
well as studies are attracted by English rather than any other language. Also,
English is giving better employment chances.
English
has become the matter of prestige and power nowadays.
English
entered India in the early 17th century with the arrival of the British East India Company, first as a language of
trade and administration. It later spread through colonial rule, education
reforms, and missionary schools, eventually becoming one of India’s official
languages today.
Early Encounters (17th century)
- The British East India Company established
trading posts in coastal cities like Surat, Madras, and Calcutta.
- English was initially used for commerce
and communication between British traders and local rulers.
Missionaries & Education (18th century)
- Missionaries
promoted English education,
printing grammars, dictionaries, and translations.
- Private schools
in Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta began teaching English.
- Reformers like Raja
Rammohan Roy supported English
education, founding institutions such as Hindu
College (later Presidency College) in Calcutta.
Colonial Expansion (19th century)
- In 1835, Thomas Macaulay’s Minute on Education declared
English the medium of higher education in India.
- English
became the language of administration, law, and modern
science.
- It created a new class of English-educated Indians, who later played key
roles in the freedom movement.
Legacy & Modern Role
- After independence in
1947, English remained
important for government, law, and higher education.
- Today, English is one of
India’s official languages, widely used in business, technology, and
global communication.