Education After 1858: Hunter Commission to the Universities Act, 1904
Modern History › Press, Education, Peasants and Workers · Topic 29.5
After the Crown took over, the Hunter Commission of 1882-83 reviewed primary and secondary education and recommended state care for vernacular primary schools, transfer to district and municipal boards, a two-track high school, and more girls' schools. Under Curzon the Raleigh Commission of 1902 led to the Indian Universities Act of 1904, which strengthened government control over universities. A 1913 resolution accepted removal of illiteracy but refused compulsory education.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Press, Education, Peasants and Workers
At a Glance
- Hunter Commission 1882-83; primary and secondary education
- Raleigh Commission 1902; universities only
- Universities Act 1904; more government control
- 1913 Resolution Removal of illiteracy accepted; compulsion refused
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Press, Education, Peasants and Workers
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fifth topic of the category on the press, education, peasants and workers. The previous topic covered Wood’s Despatch. This topic covers education from the Hunter Commission to the Universities Act of 1904 and the 1913 resolution. The next topic covers education from 1913 to 1947. Previous topic: Wood’s Despatch, 1854.
What Did the Hunter Commission Recommend?
Earlier schemes had neglected primary and secondary education. When education was shifted to the provinces in 1870, primary and secondary education suffered further because the provinces had limited resources. In 1882 the government appointed a commission under W.W. Hunter to review progress since the Despatch of 1854. The commission mostly limited itself to primary and secondary education. The Despatch is in Wood’s Despatch, 1854.
| Recommendation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary education | The State’s special care was needed for its extension and improvement, and it should be given in the vernacular |
| Control | Control of primary education to be transferred to newly set up district and municipal boards |
| Secondary education | Two divisions: a literary one leading to university and a vocational one for commercial careers |
| Female education | Facilities were inadequate, especially outside presidency towns, and its spread was recommended |
The next two decades saw rapid growth of secondary and collegiate education with Indian participation. More teaching-cum-examining universities were set up, such as Punjab University (1882) and Allahabad University (1887). The local bodies are in Local Bodies Under British Rule.
Why Was the Indian Universities Act of 1904 Passed?
The dawn of the twentieth century brought political unrest. The official view was that under private management the quality of education had fallen and that educational institutions acted as factories producing political revolutionaries. Nationalists accepted that quality had declined but accused the government of doing nothing to remove illiteracy. In 1902 the Raleigh Commission was set up to inquire into the condition and prospects of universities and suggest improvements in their constitution and working, but it was barred from reporting on primary or secondary education. On its recommendations the Indian Universities Act was passed in 1904.
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Universities were to give more attention to study and research |
| 2 | The number of fellows and their term were reduced, and most fellows were to be nominated by the government |
| 3 | The government could veto the regulations of university senates and amend or make regulations itself |
| 4 | Conditions for affiliation of private colleges were made stricter |
| 5 | Five lakh rupees a year for five years were sanctioned for the improvement of higher education and universities |
Curzon justified greater control over universities in the name of quality and efficiency, but actually sought to restrict education and discipline the educated towards loyalty to the government. The nationalists saw it as an attempt to strengthen imperialism and sabotage nationalist feeling. Gokhale called it a retrograde measure. The Swadeshi movement, which began soon after, is in Swadeshi and Boycott Movement Under Extremist Leadership.
What Was the Government Resolution on Education Policy, 1913?
In 1906 the progressive state of Baroda introduced compulsory primary education throughout its territories. National leaders urged the government to do so for British India, and Gokhale made a powerful case for it in the Legislative Assembly. In its Resolution on Education Policy of 1913, the government refused to take up the responsibility for compulsory education, but accepted the policy of removing illiteracy and urged provincial governments to take early steps to give free elementary education to the poorer and more backward sections. Private effort was to be encouraged, and the quality of secondary schools improved. A university was to be set up in each province and the teaching function of universities encouraged. As an analytical point, between 1882 and 1913 the education policy moved from stressing mass vernacular education in principle to stressing control of higher education in practice, while the commitment to universal elementary education was repeatedly postponed. The later education commissions are in Education 1913-1947: Saddler Commission, Hartog Committee, Wardha Scheme and Sargent Plan.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Hunter Commission The first review of primary and secondary education
- Universities Act 1904 Curzon’s measure and the nationalist reaction
- 1913 Resolution Refusal of compulsory education
What Came Next?
The next topic covers education from 1913 to 1947, including the Saddler Commission, the Hartog Committee, the Wardha Scheme and the Sargent Plan. Next topic: Education 1913-1947: Saddler Commission, Hartog Committee, Wardha Scheme and Sargent Plan.
Key People and Terms
- Hunter Commission The 1882-83 education commission under W.W. Hunter
- Raleigh Commission The 1902 commission on universities
- Indian Universities Act The 1904 law increasing government control
- Fellows Members of a university senate
- Affiliation Recognition of a college by a university
- Compulsory education Education that all children must receive
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Hunter Commission 1882-83; Raleigh Commission 1902; Act 1904.
- Punjab University 1882; Allahabad 1887.
- Five lakh rupees a year for five years.
- Gokhale: retrograde measure.
- Baroda introduced compulsory primary education in 1906.
Do Not Confuse With
- Hunter and Raleigh commissions Primary and secondary versus universities
- 1904 Act and 1913 Resolution University control versus policy on elementary education
- Official and nationalist views Quality versus loyalty
Memory Hook
Hunter looked down to the village; Raleigh looked up to the university and Curzon tightened the grip.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the aims of the 1904 Act and the education policy of the period. These points add depth.
- Hunter Primary education in vernacular
- 1904 Act Control and discipline
- 1913 Refusal of compulsion
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the Indian Universities Act of 1904 and the nationalist criticism of it.”
How to Answer
- Background Hunter and political unrest.
- Act Provisions of 1904.
- Criticism Gokhale and nationalists.
- Conclude 1913 Resolution.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Hunter Commission recommend?
It asked for special State care for primary education in the vernacular, transfer of primary schools to district and municipal boards, a literary and a vocational division in secondary schools, and more facilities for girls' education, especially outside presidency towns.
Why was the Raleigh Commission appointed?
The Raleigh Commission of 1902 was appointed to review the condition and prospects of universities and suggest improvements, amid official fears that private management had lowered quality and that colleges were producing political revolutionaries, as Curzon wanted tighter control of higher education.
What did the Indian Universities Act of 1904 provide?
It asked universities to attend more to study and research, reduced the number and term of fellows and made most of them government nominees, gave the government a veto over senate regulations, tightened affiliation rules and sanctioned five lakh rupees a year for five years.
Why did the nationalists oppose the Act of 1904?
They saw it as an attempt by Curzon to strengthen imperialism and sabotage nationalist feeling by restricting education and disciplining the educated towards loyalty, and Gokhale called it a retrograde measure; Indians in general saw it as official control over the universities.
What did the Education Resolution of 1913 say?
The government refused to take up compulsory education but accepted the policy of removing illiteracy, asked provinces to provide free elementary education to the poorer and backward sections, encouraged private effort, and favoured a university in each province.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Indian Universities Act was passed in 1904 under Lord Curzon.
It followed the Raleigh Commission.
2 The Hunter Commission confined itself mostly to primary and secondary education.
It reported in 1882-83.
3 The Universities Act of 1904 reduced government control over universities.
It increased it.
4 Baroda introduced compulsory primary education in 1906.
British India did not follow.
5 The 1913 Resolution made primary education compulsory in British India.
The government refused compulsion.
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