Organisation Established for Western Education in 1817

The question asks to identify the organisation that was founded in 1817 with the specific purpose of promoting Western education among Indians. This requires knowledge of key historical institutions and their founding objectives during the period of British rule in India.

Hindoo College: Promoting Western Education

Hindoo College (later Presidency College, Kolkata) was established in 1817. It was a pioneering institution founded with the explicit goal of imparting Western education, including science, literature, and critical thinking, to Indian students. The establishment of Hindoo College marked a significant step in the introduction and spread of Western educational ideals in India, fostering an intellectual shift among the educated Indian populace.

Analysis of Alternative Options

To confirm why Hindoo College is the correct answer, let's consider the other options provided:

• Aligarh Movement: This movement, spearheaded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, aimed to promote modern education and social reform among Muslims in British India. While influential, it gained significant momentum in the latter half of the 19th century, primarily from the 1870s onwards, and its establishment date and primary focus (Muslim upliftment) differ from the question's criteria.
• Arya Samaj: Founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, the Arya Samaj was primarily a socio-religious reform movement advocating for a return to the Vedas and Hindu traditions. While it did establish numerous educational institutions later on (like the DAV College network), its founding year (1875) and core objective were different from promoting Western education in 1817.
• Brahmo Samaj: Established in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and others, the Brahmo Samaj was a movement for religious and social reform in India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a strong advocate for Western education and was instrumental in the discussions leading to the founding of Hindoo College. However, the Brahmo Samaj itself was founded later than 1817 and was primarily a reformist religious organisation.

Historical Context and Conclusion

Considering the founding year (1817) and the specific objective (promoting Western education among Indians), Hindoo College stands as the correct answer. It represented a deliberate effort to integrate Western learning into the Indian educational landscape during the early 19th century.