Abstract
This article investigates Dalits’ dreams and desires for education in the United Provinces by examining hitherto unexplored records of the American Methodist Church missionaries and the Arya Samaj from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Focussed on the schools opened for Dalits and Dalit Christian converts by these two religious organisations, it explores the schools’ visions and objectives. The article presents the history of Dalit education beyond the existing dominant analytical frame of educational access and exclusion. It suggests that the mere inclusion of marginalised groups in educational institutions did not guarantee equality; rather, inclusion set in train a process for producing newer forms of exclusion, inequality and suppression. I argue that while these schools opened an important window for Dalit education in the region, the education offered was limited, hierarchical and practical. Both Christian missionaries and Arya Samajis saw Dalits primarily as a labouring community, and the education they offered reflected this thinking; it aimed at making Dalits productive, disciplined and loyal beings. Nevertheless, this limited education allowed Dalits to dream of a literate and dignified life and to pursue non-manual labouring careers.
Highlights
This article explores the history of Dalit education beyond the usual analytical frames of access and exclusion
It suggests that the mere inclusion of marginalised groups in educational institutions does not guarantee equality
This article discusses how Dalits of Uttar Pradesh ( UP) negotiated their dreams of education and non–labouring positions through schools established by the American Methodist Episcopal Church ( MEC) missionaries (1850–1930) and later by the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform organisation (1920–30).[1]
Summary
This article discusses how Dalits of Uttar Pradesh ( UP) negotiated their dreams of education and non–labouring positions through schools established by the American Methodist Episcopal Church ( MEC) missionaries (1850–1930) and later by the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform organisation (1920–30).[1].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.