14. Controlling Information and Education
The East India Company exercised significant control over information dissemination and education to reinforce its colonial dominance. In 1799, the Censorship Act was enacted, requiring all printed materials to obtain prior approval from the government before publication. This pre-censorship system enabled the Company to suppress content deemed objectionable, particularly criticisms of its policies (gktoday.in). In the realm of education, the Company shifted its focus towards promoting Western-style education. The English Education Act of 1835, influenced by Thomas Babington Macaulay’s recommendations, allocated funds to support institutions teaching English and Western curricula, while reducing support for traditional Indian education systems. This policy aimed to create a class of individuals who were “Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals and in intellect,” thereby facilitating colonial administration. Through these measures, the East India Company sought to control the flow of information and reshape educational structures, aligning them with colonial objectives and suppressing dissenting voices.
