APPENDIX б
ANALYSIS OF THE EARLIEST PAPERS OF UNIVERSITY OF
CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE OVERSEAS
CENTRES: DECEMBER 1906
The importance of the Cambridge examinations dominated
the debate about Anglo-Indian schools at the turn of the
century. The researcher decided to investigate what
these examinations expected of students in India at the
turn of the twentieth century.
The University of Cambridge sent a copy of the earliest
papers which were sent to India. The date was December
1906 .
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE
(OVERSEAS CENTRES) DECEMBER 1906
The Cambridge Examination was the uniform standard for
16+ students in Anglo-Indian schools. There was a
difference between the Cambridge Examinations held in
Anglo-Indian schools and the Matriculation and High
School examinations conducted in non-Anglo-Indian
schools. Students who passed the Cambridge examinations
gained admission to British Universities without sitting
for a pre-university examination. On 12 December 1906 an
Anglo-Indian student sitting for an English Literature
paper would have been faced with questions which had no
relevance to Indian culture.
A gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine,
Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde.
(English Literature: Question 10)
The spelling must have worried many a young Anglo-Indian
who was trying to learn English. To quote another example
from an English History paper, dated 14 December 1906.
Contrast the misrule of William Rufus with
the misrule of Stephen.
(English History: Question 2)
William and Stephen were understandable, they were names
of friends in the class. The word "misrule", once again
was far removed from India and her history.
History of the British Empire A.D. 1492-1784 (14 December
1906); Geography (12 December, 1906); Political Economy
(11 December 1906); None of the questions were relevant
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