Read the following passage and answer the following questions: The existence of academic libraries during the medieval period of Indian history is not known, though the Muslim rulers did patronize libraries in their own places. A lone exception, however, was a library attached to a college at Bidar, having a collection of 3,000 books on different subjects. Aurangzeb got this library transferred to Delhi to merge it with his palace library. College libraries are the fore-runners of a modern university library. Warren Hastings, Governor-General (1774-85), founded a Madrasa at Calcutta in 1781. Jonathan Duncan in 1792 stressed the need to collect books of the ancient valuable general learning and tradition. Lord Minto, Governor- General (1807-13), in his minutes of the 6 March 1811 wrote, Library be attached to each of the colleges under the charge of a learned native with a small establishment of servants for the care of manuscripts. Perhaps, this is the first statement on record concerning libraries in the academic set-up in India. Lord Auckland, Governor- General of Indian (1836-40), further outlined the library policy in his minutes of the 24 November 1839; make the greatest use of the college libraries which are now attached to many of our institutions. Library collections of the colleges thus started growing and by 1882 some of them crossed a thousand marks.
Who founded Madrasa in 1781 ?
Warren Hastings
Understanding the Passage and Identifying the Founder of Madrasa
The question asks about the founder of the Madrasa in 1781, based on the provided passage about the history of libraries in India. To answer this, we need to carefully read the passage and find the specific sentence that mentions the establishment of the Madrasa and the person responsible.
Let's look at the relevant part of the passage:
Warren Hastings, Governor-General (1774-85), founded a Madrasa at Calcutta in 1781.
This sentence explicitly states that Warren Hastings founded a Madrasa in 1781.
Analyzing the Options
Based on the sentence identified in the passage, we can evaluate the given options:
- Aurangzeb: The passage mentions Aurangzeb transferred a library, not founded a Madrasa.
- Jonathan Duncan: The passage mentions Jonathan Duncan stressed the need to collect books in 1792, after the Madrasa was founded.
- Lord Minto: The passage mentions Lord Minto wrote about libraries in 1811, much later than 1781.
- Warren Hastings: The passage directly states that Warren Hastings founded a Madrasa in 1781.
Therefore, the passage clearly indicates that Warren Hastings was the founder of the Madrasa in 1781.
Conclusion
The passage provides a clear historical fact regarding the establishment of the Madrasa. By locating and understanding the specific sentence related to the Madrasa's founding year (1781), we can confidently identify the founder.
Revision Table: Key Figures and Events from the Passage
| Figure | Role/Event Mentioned in Passage | Time Period (if mentioned) |
|---|---|---|
| Aurangzeb | Transferred library from Bidar to Delhi | Medieval Period (implied) |
| Warren Hastings | Founded a Madrasa at Calcutta | 1781 (Governor-General 1774-85) |
| Jonathan Duncan | Stressed need to collect books | 1792 |
| Lord Minto | Wrote minutes on college libraries | 1811 (Governor-General 1807-13) |
| Lord Auckland | Outlined library policy | 1839 (Governor-General 1836-40) |
Additional Information on Educational Institutions in British India
The establishment of institutions like the Madrasa by Warren Hastings marked an early phase of formalized education under British rule in India. While initially focused on traditional subjects, these institutions gradually evolved and laid the groundwork for later colleges and universities.
- Early Institutions: The Calcutta Madrasa (founded 1781) and the Benares Sanskrit College (founded 1791 by Jonathan Duncan) were significant early educational efforts by the British East India Company, primarily aimed at training Indian personnel for administration and justice.
- Shift in Policy: Over time, British educational policy evolved from supporting traditional learning (Orientalist view) to promoting Western education (Anglicist view), particularly after the Charter Act of 1813 and Macaulay's Minute in 1835.
- Growth of College Libraries: As mentioned in the passage, the importance of libraries in academic institutions was recognized by various Governor-Generals, leading to the growth of college libraries as essential components of the educational system.
- University Libraries: College libraries are highlighted as precursors to modern university libraries, indicating the gradual development of academic library systems in India.
Understanding the context of these historical developments helps appreciate the significance of the figures and events mentioned in the passage concerning education and libraries in India.
Important Questions from Types of Library & Information Systems
Which of the following functions of the University Library are given by Wilson and Tauber?
A. Conservation of Knowledge
B. Teaching
C. Leisure Study
D. Publication
E. Follow-up study
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is not a designated National Library?
Which of the following statements with reference to special libraries in India?
A. There were no Scientific Libraries before World War II.
B. Library of the Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta, is rich in maps and reprints.
C. The National Forest Library and Information Center is situated at Dehradun
D. Indian Institute of Science Library is named after JRD Tata
E. CSIR was formed after independence
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
From which place to which place a college library did Aurangzeb shift?
Who of the following wrote a minute suggesting establishment of library in each college ?
