A History of the Indian University System : Emerging From the Shadows of the Past

This book provides an explanation of the nature of the Indian university system, including its specificities and its peculiarities as well as exploring how they developed. It offers a historical and institutional perspective by singling out the forces that have shaped the present Indian higher education system. Bridging the pre-independence and the post-independence eras, the book illustrates the continuities as well as the differences between the two epochs. It makes a compelling case for the idea that history matters, and an understanding of India’s history is crucial to understanding the present day Indian university scene. Using multiple paradigmatic case studies, based on the University of Calcutta, the Indian Institute of Science, and the Indian Statistical Institute, the book highlights the dominant ideologies and interests that have shaped the university system since its inception in 1857. It will be of great importance to students and scholars of history and education, particularly those with an interest in the history of India and its education system. Acknowledgements 5 Contents 6 Chapter 1: Introduction 7 The Teaching University 9 The Examining University 11 The Humboldtian University 12 The Research University 13 Structure of the Book 14 Notes 16 Chapter 2: Beginnings 18 Birth of Oriental Studies 19 Hindu College and Serampore College: Genesis of a University System in India 32 Macaulay’s Minute and the Emergence of an Anglicised Proto-University System 35 Notes 41 Chapter 3: University of Calcutta: Empire’s Progeny 43 Introduction 43 The Blueprint: Education Despatch of 1854 45 The Founding Model in Perspective 47 Empty Shell (1857–1904) 54 Winds of Change (1904–1923) 59 University Act of 1904 61 Stasis (1924–1947) 72 Notes 73 Chapter 4: Indian Institute of Science: A Paradigm Shift 77 A Paradigm Shift 78 The Formative Years (1896–1908) 79 An Indian University of Research: 1898–1909 80 Conflict Between the Tata Family and Lord Curzon 81 A Postgraduate Institute of Science 87 A Research Institute of Eminence: IISc in the Post-­Independence Era 89 Notes 92 Chapter 5: Indian Statistical Institute: Autonomous and Important 95 Genesis (1920–1930) 96 Birth and Adolescence (1931–1948) 97 The Golden Age (1949–1964) 100 Autonomy and Academic Entrepreneurship 109 Conclusion 121 Notes 124 Chapter 6: Indian University System: Emerging from the Shadows of the Past 128 The Radhakrishnan Commission Report 1948–1949 130 The Planning Paradigm 131 The Structure of the Indian Higher Education System Post 1964 137 Challenges Facing Indian Higher Education System 143 Notes 147 Chapter 7: Conclusion 149 Bibliography 155 Index 160 Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-11 Beginnings....Pages 13-37 University of Calcutta: Empire’s Progeny ....Pages 39-72 Indian Institute of Science: A Paradigm Shift ....Pages 73-90 Indian Statistical Institute: Autonomous and Important ....Pages 91-123 Indian University System: Emerging from the Shadows of the Past ....Pages 125-145 Conclusion....Pages 147-152 Back Matter....Pages 153-163