Understanding the Hunter Commission and its Appointment

The question asks about the Viceroy who was in power when the Hunter Commission was appointed in 1882. The Hunter Commission played a significant role in the history of education in British India.

Let's look at the context and the Viceroys mentioned:

• Lord Mayo (Viceroy from 1869 to 1872): Known for financial decentralization and establishing the first statistical survey of India. He was not the Viceroy in 1882.
• Lord Ripon (Viceroy from 1880 to 1884): Known for his liberal reforms, including the repeal of the Vernacular Press Act, introduction of local self-government, and advancements in education.
• Lord Lytton (Viceroy from 1876 to 1880): Known for the Vernacular Press Act, the Arms Act, and the Second Anglo-Afghan War. He was Lord Ripon's predecessor.
• Lord Minto (Viceroy from 1905 to 1910): Served much later than 1882. He was involved in the Morley-Minto Reforms.

The Indian Education Commission, popularly known as the Hunter Commission, was appointed by the Government of India in 1882. Its primary purpose was to review the progress of education in India since the Wood's Despatch of 1854 and to suggest measures for its further development. The commission was headed by Sir William Wilson Hunter.

Considering the timeline, Lord Ripon was the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884. Therefore, the Hunter Commission was appointed during his tenure.

The commission's recommendations focused on the following areas:

• Primary education: Emphasizing the need for government support and the importance of vernacular languages.
• Secondary education: Recommending two branches, one for university entrance and another for vocational training.
• Private enterprise: Encouraging private efforts in education through grants-in-aid.
• Indigenous schools: Suggesting measures to improve existing traditional schools.

The appointment of the Hunter Commission in 1882 was a significant event during the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon, reflecting his focus on educational and administrative reforms.

Revision Table: Key Facts about the Hunter Commission

Additional Information: Education in British India

The British administration took several steps to shape the education system in India:

• Charter Act of 1813: Allocated funds for the promotion of education in India.
• Macaulay's Minute (1835): Advocated for English education and Western learning.
• Wood's Despatch (1854): Considered the "Magna Carta of English Education in India". It recommended a hierarchical structure for education (primary, secondary, university), encouraged grants-in-aid, and suggested the establishment of universities in Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.
• Hunter Commission (1882): Reviewed the progress after Wood's Despatch, focusing particularly on primary and secondary education and encouraging private participation.
• Saddler Commission (1917-1919): Dealt with the problems of the University of Calcutta but also had broader implications for secondary and university education throughout India.

Understanding these commissions and acts helps in tracing the evolution of modern education in India under British rule. The appointment of the Hunter Commission by Lord Ripon in 1882 is a key point in this timeline.