Lord Macaulay before 1886

This book includes an anonymous portrait of Lord Macaulay. As a British historian and politician in the 19th century, Macaulay significantly shaped imperial ideology through his writings and policies. Macaulay served on the Supreme Council of India where he played a key role in reshaping the education system. Macaulay advocated for the introduction of Western-style education in India, arguing that it was superior to traditional Indian systems. In his famous "Minute on Indian Education" of 1835, he dismissed Indian culture and languages, advocating for English as the medium of instruction. Macaulay believed that this would civilize the Indian population and create a class of anglicized Indians who would serve as intermediaries between the British rulers and the ruled. This policy had profound and lasting impacts on Indian society, influencing the cultural identity of generations. Macaulay’s legacy remains controversial, embodying the complex intersections of culture, education, and power within the historical context of colonialism.