- Trace the growth of modern education in Odisha during the British rule.
- Discuss the role of Christian Missionaries in the field of education and press.
- Assess the impact of the Press on the growth of nationalism and the Odia movement.
Part I: Growth of Modern Education
1. Background and Missionary Initiative
Prior to the British occupation in 1803, education in Odisha was controlled by private initiative through Pathasalas, Sanskrit Tols, and Bhagavat Tungis. The traditional system collapsed with the advent of the British, who introduced modern education. The pioneers of this transformation were the Christian Missionaries, whose primary aim was evangelical—to preach the words of Jesus Christ. They printed the Old and New Testaments in Odia and established the first primary school in 1822. The first Mission school in northern Odisha opened on June 1, 1822, and the missionaries later established the Cuttack English School in 1823-24.
2. Government Policy: Macaulay’s Minute to Wood's Despatch
Initially, the East India Company was apathetic toward education, but administrative needs for English-speaking clerks drove change. Following the debate settled by Lord Macaulay's Minute in 1835, English was accepted as the medium of instruction. Consequently, the government took over missionary schools, opening the first government English School at Puri in 1836 and later establishing Zilla Schools at Balasore, Puri, and Cuttack.
A significant milestone was the Wood's Despatch of 1854, known as the 'Magnacarta' of English education. It recommended opening new schools and managing old ones, leading to the establishment of a Zilla School at Berhampur in 1855. Following this despatch, the number of schools rose significantly, reaching 95 by 1870, with institutions springing up in remote areas like Kendrapara and Bhadrak.
3. Expansion of Secondary and Higher Education
- Secondary Education: The Wood's Despatch gave impetus to Middle Vernacular and Middle English (M.E.) schools. Private initiatives also grew; for instance, the Pyari Mohan Academy became a High School in 1879, and the Victoria School in Cuttack followed in 1888.
- Higher Education: The disastrous Famine of 1866 prompted the British to focus on higher education. The establishment of Ravenshaw College in 1868 marked a new epoch. Initially a Collegiate School with F.A. classes, it became a degree college thanks to T.E. Ravenshaw and a donation from Maharaja Krushna Chandra Bhanja. Other key colleges included Khallikote College (1893) and the college at Parlakhemundi (1896).
4. The Hunter Commission and Satyavadi Era
In 1882, the Hunter Commission recommended the opening of private schools and colleges. This encouraged nationalist leaders. In 1909, Pandit Gopabandhu Das established the Satyavadi Bakula Vanvidyalaya at Sakshigopal. Managed by the 'Panchasakhas' (Gopabandhu Das, Acharya Harihara, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Godavarish Mishra, and Krupasindhu Mishra), this institution was pivotal for the growth of education and national spirit.
5. Technical and Professional Education
The British introduced technical education to suit their needs. Key developments included:
- Engineering: The Odisha School of Engineering (now Bhubanananda Engineering School) opened in Cuttack in 1923.
- Medical: The Odisha Medical School was established in 1876, later recognized as S.C.B. Medical College in 1917.
- Teacher Training: A training college established in Cuttack later became famous as the Radha Nath Training College.
6. Critical Assessment of British Policy
Despite these developments, the British approach had flaws. They were generally apathetic toward higher education and primarily wanted to create a clerical class. Education was expensive, leading to dropouts, and the government neglected agricultural engineering despite Odisha being an agrarian land. Furthermore, when universities were established in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta in 1858, Odisha did not have a single college, delaying the rise of an elite class.
Part II: Growth of Press and Journalism
1. Origin and Missionary Role
The growth of the press was a landmark in modern Odisha, initiated by Christian Missionaries. They established the first printing press, the Cuttack Printing Press, in 1837. Their primary aim was religious propaganda, publishing journals like Jnanaruna (1849), Prabodha Chandrika, and Arunodaya. The first Odia newspaper, Kujibara Patrika, was published in 1837 by a monk named Sadhu Sundar Das.
2. Development of Vernacular Press (Post-1866)
The Famine of 1866 was a turning point. In that year, the Cuttack Printing Company was established by Bichitrananda Das with inspiration from T.E. Ravenshaw. From this press emerged Utkala Dipika, edited by Gauri Shankar Ray, who served as editor until 1917.
In Balasore, Fakir Mohan Senapati, the 'Father of Odia Prose', established a press in 1868 and published Bodhadayini and Balasore Sambad Vahika. The Sambad Vahika became highly influential in the late 19th century.
3. Key Journals and the Language Movement
The press played a vital role in checking the dominance of other languages over Odia.
- Sambalpur Hitaisini: Published in 1889 under the patronage of King Sudhaladev and edited by Nilamani Vidyaratna, it fueled the language agitation in Western Odisha.
- Prajabandhu: Published from Khallikote to check Telugu dominance.
- Other notable papers included Utkala Darpana, Dainika Asha, and The Samaj.
4. Impact of Press and Journalism
The press created socio-political consciousness and a sense of nationalism. It exposed the "black spots" of British administration, making the government cautious. Writings like Godabarish Mohapatra's poem Utha Kankala aided the movement for the amalgamation of Odia-speaking tracts. Furthermore, newspapers publicized Gandhian movements like the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement, dragging the people of Odisha into the national fold.
