Question

Which of the following statements regarding the promotion of science during Colonial India, are correct? Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. Nineteenth-century Indian Science was 'Eurocentric', centripetal and hegemonistic discipline
2. For Mahendra Lal Sarkar, political nationalism had no meaning without science as its guiding spirit
3. The state involvement made colonial science philanthropic and promoting Indian interests
4. Colonial Science was inextricably woven into the whole fabric of colonialism

• A. None of these
• B. i, iii
• C. i only
• D. i, ii, iv

Answer 1

Answer:

D. i, ii, iv

• In the absence of higher scientific education, scientific research remained an exclusive governmental exercise for a long time.

• It was, therefore, linked to the economic policies pursued by the imperial power.

• Indian Science was influenced by the Colonial period. The scientific developments in India were Eurocentric, centripetal and hegemonic discipline as the developments taking place were influenced by Europe.

• According to Mahender Lal Sarkar, political nationalism had no meaning without Science because science was emerging as a guiding light in political awakening among Indians. This also created a feeling of Nationalism.

• Colonial Science was woven into the fabric of colonialism is also correct because the colonial empire had led to the advancement in Science in India and led to the scientific revolution in India such as Industrialisation.

• However, preventive measures like sanitary reforms or even supply of drinking water to villages and towns remained neglected. In other fields, too significant developments took place through the effort of foreign and Indian scientists working in institutions here.

• The British activities did evoke some response from the local populace, particularly the educated section, who were looking for jobs in the colonial administration and economy.

• A few Indians participated in the officially patronised scientific associations or institutions. However, they often searched for a distinct identity and established institutions, scholarships and facilities of their own.

• A scientist serving the colonial power was supposed to not only discover new economic resources but also to help in their exploitation. In agriculture, it was basically plantation research with emphasis on experimental farms, the introduction of new varieties, and the various problems related to cash crops.

• These were basically cotton, indigo, tobacco and tea, which were all to be exported to Britain. Hence, it is clear that colonial science development was not a philanthropic activity and it was not definitely for the promotion of Indian interests.