Correct Answer:
B. 1835
Lord Macaulay’s Resolution, often referred to as Macaulay's Minute, was passed in 1835. This document was a pivotal moment in the history of education in British India. Thomas Babington Macaulay, a prominent figure in British administration, advocated strongly for the introduction of English as the medium of instruction in Indian schools, rather than promoting education in traditional Indian languages like Sanskrit or Arabic. His resolution aimed to create a class of Indians educated in Western thought and English language, who would then serve as intermediaries between the British rulers and the vast Indian populace. This policy fundamentally shaped the curriculum and language of instruction in colonial India for many years.
- 1852 (A) is incorrect; while significant educational developments occurred around this time, it was not the year of Macaulay's Resolution. Wood's Despatch, another key educational reform, came later in 1854.
- 1946 (C) is incorrect; this year is well into the 20th century, just before the independence of India and Pakistan, far removed from Macaulay's era.
- 1742 (D) is incorrect; this date predates the significant involvement of the British East India Company in educational policy-making and the period when Macaulay was active in India.