I have been led to your blog from Dondu's where you are a commentator, off and on.
I dont want to come here and comment except for this time as I saw Macaulay's quote.
I have read widely about TBM (Thomas Babington Macaulay) and his essays, poems, speeches. I was fascinated with his English prose, during my school years, although it is much outdated, I mean, no one writes like that.
On the basis of my reading, I would unhesitatingly say that the quote attributed to TBM is a fraud.
‘Not seen one person’ is Indian English. An Englishman, esp. a master of English prose like TBM, wont write like that.
‘Who is a beggar, who is a thief’ is also Indian English.
‘Caliber’ is American spelling.
The quote must have been written by an indian and passed off as that of TBM for an ulterior purpose.
Ok. Let’s leave at that and come to the main message.
TBM always had a low opinion of Indian culture and people. He lived in India for a brief spell about 3 years as the Member (Judicial) in Governor-General Council. He first came to Calcutta to report to the G-G Lord William Bentinck; but, on coming to know that Bentinck was holidaying in Ooty, he proceeded there via Madras. He arrived at Madras by ship and was taken immeidately on a palanquin to Ooty. Motor car was not invented then. He never spoke to Indians on the way. He hated the native people, their language Tamil which sounded harsh to him. After meeting Bentinck, he went back to Calcutta. Later in his tenure, he lived for a few months in Madras as his sister was married to Madras Governor, Trevelyan.
TBM’s moved only with the elite and expat British society in St George Fort at Madras and also, in Calcutta. Indians were not allowed inside the fort except as coolies to work for the white masters.
So, his ‘travelling length and breadth of the country’ was a false statement. He never associated with Indians and never cared to know about Indian culture. He believed firmly that the culture was a barbarous one and Indians were uncivilized people. English education could bring them culture and open up new vistas of European science and arts. Hence, he drew up, what is called, the Minutes in which he proposed a new Education system. His proposal became operative soon after; and, as you know, even now. Your BSc (Physics) in English medium is an example.
If you want to tell your readers about the glory of the past of Indian culture, then, there are many other Englishmen who spoke highly of the culture, and you can quote them freely.
Thanks pe.so.vi, Chitra, Sriram, Aadi.. , Saai & Jo Amalan Rayen Fernando for your comments.
Dear Amalan Rayen, Infact I am not aware of TBM.. & to add value to Indian Culture (which we believe is really very good), I posted this message. It was based on an email sent by my friend.
My Intension was to add beauty/quality to the understanding & promoting our culture/tradition.
Thanks for your advice, I will try to post authentic messages only.
7 Comments (கருத்துரைகள்)
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இதெல்லாம் அந்தக் காலத்தில. இப்ப நாணயம்னா கிலோ என்ன விலைன்னு கேக்கறாங்க சார். இருந்தாலும், நல்ல மெசேஜ். வாழ்த்துகள்!
Good message. :-)
அப்போவாவது நல்லா இருந்ததே...
ம்..ஹூம் நாமெல்லாம் அந்தக் காலத்தில் பிறந்திருக்கலாம்...!
உண்மையாதான் சொல்லியிருக்காக... படிக்க பெருமையா தான் இருக்கு. ஊம்... இப்படியே பழைய பெருமையா பேசிகிட்டு இருக்கவேண்டியதுதான்.
//ஸ்ரீராம். said... அப்போவாவது நல்லா இருந்ததே... ம்..ஹூம் நாமெல்லாம் அந்தக் காலத்தில் பிறந்திருக்கலாம்...! //
Why not we make that change Sriram ? Why do we want to shy away from that.
There is an engineer from Bihar who is picking poor kids and teaching them on IIT JEE and lot of kids are cracking it now.
Once we have educated work force, hopefully with that corruption free government department - we can manage all of this.
I have seen this several times and also had written in my blog once.
I have been led to your blog from Dondu's where you are a commentator, off and on.
I dont want to come here and comment except for this time as I saw Macaulay's quote.
I have read widely about TBM (Thomas Babington Macaulay) and his essays, poems, speeches. I was fascinated with his English prose, during my school years, although it is much outdated, I mean, no one writes like that.
On the basis of my reading, I would unhesitatingly say that the quote attributed to TBM is a fraud.
‘Not seen one person’ is Indian English. An Englishman, esp. a master of English prose like TBM, wont write like that.
‘Who is a beggar, who is a thief’ is also Indian English.
‘Caliber’ is American spelling.
The quote must have been written by an indian and passed off as that of TBM for an ulterior purpose.
Ok. Let’s leave at that and come to the main message.
TBM always had a low opinion of Indian culture and people. He lived in India for a brief spell about 3 years as the Member (Judicial) in Governor-General Council. He first came to Calcutta to report to the G-G Lord William Bentinck; but, on coming to know that Bentinck was holidaying in Ooty, he proceeded there via Madras. He arrived at Madras by ship and was taken immeidately on a palanquin to Ooty. Motor car was not invented then. He never spoke to Indians on the way. He hated the native people, their language Tamil which sounded harsh to him. After meeting Bentinck, he went back to Calcutta. Later in his tenure, he lived for a few months in Madras as his sister was married to Madras Governor, Trevelyan.
TBM’s moved only with the elite and expat British society in St George Fort at Madras and also, in Calcutta. Indians were not allowed inside the fort except as coolies to work for the white masters.
So, his ‘travelling length and breadth of the country’ was a false statement. He never associated with Indians and never cared to know about Indian culture. He believed firmly that the culture was a barbarous one and Indians were uncivilized people. English education could bring them culture and open up new vistas of European science and arts. Hence, he drew up, what is called, the Minutes in which he proposed a new Education system. His proposal became operative soon after; and, as you know, even now. Your BSc (Physics) in English medium is an example.
If you want to tell your readers about the glory of the past of Indian culture, then, there are many other Englishmen who spoke highly of the culture, and you can quote them freely.
Au revoir
Thanks pe.so.vi, Chitra, Sriram, Aadi.. , Saai & Jo Amalan Rayen Fernando for your comments.
Dear Amalan Rayen, Infact I am not aware of TBM.. & to add value to Indian Culture (which we believe is really very good), I posted this message. It was based on an email sent by my friend.
My Intension was to add beauty/quality to the understanding & promoting our culture/tradition.
Thanks for your advice, I will try to post authentic messages only.
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