How did English appear in India?
India is one of the largest and most culturally diverse countries in the world. 🌏 It’s a land of over 1.4 billion people, hundreds of languages, and rich traditions. Yet, among all these local languages, two stand as official in the Indian Constitution: Hindi and... English?
But how did a language from faraway England take root in a land as ancient and spiritual as India? Let’s dive into this fascinating journey!

background
🧭 Spices, Sailors & Surprises: The First English Encounter

The 16th century was an age of great voyages and overseas exploration. One of the most famous English explorers, Francis Drake, sailed to the Pacific Ocean in 1579 and later reached the Spice Islands (modern-day Indonesia). There, he exchanged gold and silver for exotic spices, which were practically unknown in England at the time.

🍽️ Back home, a group of London merchants were inspired to break the Spanish and Portuguese monopoly over the Indian Ocean trade. In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted them a royal charter to form the Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies — the start of what would later be called the East India Company (EIC).

🏛️ From Trade to Empire: The Growth of British Power

In 1611, the East India Company established its first trading factory (a kind of fortified trading post) in India. Just two years later, another one followed. By 1647, the Company had 23 factories across Indian territory!

💰 These traders grew so wealthy that many returned to England to purchase estates and gain political power. And soon, the Company expanded beyond trade into military and political control. By the mid-19th century, the British were ruling almost the entire subcontinent — now known as British India, the “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire.

👨‍👩‍👧What About the People? Life Under British Rule

With the growing British presence in India, entire families began to settle there. British officers, clerks, and merchants brought their wives and children to live in the colonies.

But life wasn’t easy. The intense summer heat caused many illnesses, and British children often suffered. Their parents were usually busy with work, leaving children in the care of Indian servants — many of whom didn’t speak English.

background
📖 This dynamic is shown vividly in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, where a spoiled British girl grows up in colonial India surrounded by servants who obey her every command.
Some pages from "The Secret Garden" of the Black Cat publisher:

Meanwhile, most Indians lived in poverty. Many worked in harsh conditions, and child labour was common. The British behaved condescendingly, often treating Indian workers with disdain. Yet, Indian society was deeply divided. While poorer Indians toiled under colonial rule, wealthy Indian families sometimes benefited — sending their children to English schools or working in civil services. This social divide helped the British maintain control.
🎓English in the Classroom: A New Education System

The British introduced a Western-style educational system. One of the key figures behind this was Thomas Babington Macaulay, a British historian and politician who pushed for English-based education in India.

🏫In 1857, universities were established in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. These institutions promoted English literature, science, and European history. English quickly became the language of higher education and administration — especially among the middle and upper classes.

📈By 1939, there were over 300 universities across India, and many Indians were becoming lawyers, civil servants, and scholars, educated entirely in English.

Independence and the Language Debate

In 1947, India finally gained independence from British rule. But one crucial question immediately arose:
Should English remain an official language?

The Indian Constitution Assembly debated fiercely. Many argued for Hindi to become the sole official language, while others warned this would alienate non-Hindi speakers in southern and eastern regions.

Some members proposed adding regional languages. Others even suggested Sanskrit, due to its ancient heritage.

In the end, a compromise was reached:
✅ Hindi in Devanagari script was chosen as the official language.
✅ English would also continue to be used in government and legal systems.
❌ India would have no national language.
🌍English in India Today

Even decades after independence, English remains a vital part of Indian society: it’s the main language of higher education, government, and international business.

It serves as a lingua franca between different regions and cultures. It connects India to the global economy.

📊 Meanwhile:
- Hindi is still the most spoken language in India.
- Bengali (mostly in the East) and Marathi (in the West) follow close behind.
- In the South, languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada dominate daily life.

🌿 Conclusion: A Colonial Language That Found a New Home

India is a linguistic mosaic, with no single national language. But that’s what makes it unique. While Hindi and regional languages continue to thrive, English has become a thread that ties the country together — in education, communication, and culture.

Even today, British influence can be felt in Indian cuisine in Britain, borrowed English words, and vice versa.

English arrived in India as part of an empire. It stayed as part of a transformation.

📝 Did you enjoy this post?

If you liked this story, don’t forget to share it with friends! You can also subscribe to the LanguageEasy Newsletter to get more history, language tips, and cultural insights directly to your inbox.
LanguageEasy Newsletter
Subscribe to LanguageEasy Newsletter to receive updates, language learning tips and more!
(❗sometimes e-mails may come to your spam box - be attentive and get a newsletter out of it 😉)
© 2025 LanguageEasy