Civilising the Native, Educating the Nation

Macaulay's famous Minute on Indian Education (1835) advocated for Western education through English as the medium of instruction. He argued that European knowledge was superior to Oriental learning. Option C is correct.

Macaulay was a harsh critic of the Orientalists. His 1835 Minute mocked Oriental learning as 'false history', 'false astronomy', and 'false science', arguing it had no practical value. Therefore, the statement is true - he was indeed a critic.

A madrasa is an Islamic educational institution, typically for higher religious and secular studies. In colonial India, the Calcutta Madrasa (1781) taught Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law. Option B is correct - it means a place of learning or college.

The English Education Act, which formalized the shift toward English as the medium of instruction, was passed in 1835.

Wood's Despatch was indeed sent in 1854 to the Governor-General of India (then Lord Dalhousie). It outlined a comprehensive education system from primary to university level. The statement is true.

William Jones was a polyglot who knew many languages, including Greek, Latin, Persian, and Sanskrit, which helped him in his study of Indian texts.

The Asiatic Society (founded by Jones) published 'Asiatic Researches' journal starting in 1788. William Jones was the key figure behind both the society and the journal. Option B is correct.

Rabindranath Tagore founded Shantiniketan in 1901 to provide an education that was close to nature and free from the constraints of the colonial system.

The Calcutta Madrasa was established in 1781 by the British to promote the study of Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law.