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Evolution of English in India – Summary
Phase 1: Early 19th Century
(1800–1857)
- Indian
economy became less central to British interests; East India Company
gained maximum administrative power.
- Britain
emerged as a global superpower after defeating Napoleon.
- India
was politically weak, divided, and unable to resist British dominance.
- Romantic
poets in England (Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats)
critiqued middle-class values, but in India, British officials used
English for social engineering.
- English
education introduced liberal ideas and reform movements, exposing Indian
elites to Western modernity.
Phase 2: Revolt & Reform
(1857–1880)
- The
Revolt of 1857 (called “Mutiny” by the British) marked a turning point.
- Indians
were treated with suspicion across all classes.
- Reformers
like Raja Ram Mohan Roy inspired social change and modern education.
- English
literature in India grew, influenced by European models.
- However,
Indian languages and folk forms were marginalized; English created
hierarchies that sidelined native expression.
- Youth
were drawn to English but restricted in scope and themes of writing.
Phase 3: Nationalist Awakening
(1880–1947)
- English
proved inadequate as a unifying language for diverse Indian society.
- The
Indian National Movement (late 19th century–1947) shaped a new
relationship with English.
- English
became both a tool of colonial control and a medium for nationalist
discourse.
- Despite
diversity, Indians realized the need for common identity, culminating in Independence
in 1947.
Phase 4: Post-Independence
(1947–2004)
- Growth
of Indian languages slowed; English gained unprecedented popularity.
- English
became dominant in higher education, media, and creative writing.
- Elitism
and English became inseparable; private institutes teaching English
flourished even in small towns.
- English
writing attracted more talent than Indian languages, reinforcing its
prestige.
- From
colonial legacy to ruling-class language, English became associated with power,
prestige, and modernity.
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Key Takeaways
- English
in India evolved through four phases: colonial imposition, reformist
adoption, nationalist negotiation, and post-independence dominance.
- It
opened doors to modernity and reform but also marginalized native
languages and cultural expressions.
- Today,
English remains a symbol of elitism, opportunity, and global connectivity,
while Indian languages struggle for equal space.