A Comparison

A COMPARISON Japan immersed an entire generation in the American education system. Nearly a century later, this investment bore fruit, producing a generation that propelled Japan to the forefront of the world’s leading nations. In 1834, Lord Macaulay arrived in India and, as a key member of the Supreme Council of India, introduced an educational system that ultimately became known as the ‘English Education System’ throughout the country. According to Macaulay, the purpose of this system was to create a generation that would be Indian by birth but English in thought: “So that a generation may arise which will be Indian in birth and English in thought.” Almost all Muslim leaders (except Sir Syed Ahmad Khan) opposed this educational system. They protested against it, with some calling it a “slaughterhouse” and others expressing disdain through poetry: “Bachchon ke kabhi qatl se badnaam na hota, Afsos ke Firaun ko college ki na soojhi.” Most people refrained from participating in this educational system. Those who did often left halfway, distancing themselves from it. This opposition led Muslims to fall behind other communities in education by at least