M.S. Thirumalai, Ph.D. “Lord Macaulay: The Man Who Started It All ...

Macaulay was at the Board of Control for eighteen months. In this period he learned a lot about
India and the colonies. Once he wrote to his sisters on June 10, 1832,
I am already deep in Zemindars, Ryots, Polygars, Courts of Phoujdary, and Courts of
Nizamut Adawlut. I can tell which of the native Powers are subsidiary, and which
independent, and read you lectures of an hour on our diplomatic transactions at the courts
of Lucknow, Nagpore, Hydrabad, and Poonah. At Poonah, indeed, I need not tell you that
there is no court; for the Paishwa, as you are doubtless aware, was deposed by Lord
Hastings in the Pindarree War. Am I not in fair training to be as great bore as if I had
myself been in India?-that is to say, as great a bore as the greatest. (Trevelyan 1876: 237)
As a studious person, Macaulay's days at the Board of Control helped him to master the history
of British accession in India very well. He also imbibed a general knowledge of Indian religions,
caste system, missionary work in India, and a host of other subjects that would continue to guide
him throughout his days in India. He also acquired a very critical and negative approach to Indian
arts, theology, and sciences during this period.
5. WHAT MOTIVATED MACAULAY TO COME TO INDIA?
It appears that his decision in 1833 to accept the position of membership in the Supreme Council
of India and thus come to India was motivated more by personal necessity than anything to do
with his zeal for reformation or understanding and admiration of diverse cultures. His father's
investments were lost, and the family faced difficult pecuniary circumstances despite Macaulay's
membership in the House of Commons. Macaulay's heart was really in pursuing a writing career,
but he was not sure whether this career would give him enough money to live a modest life. He
wrote to his sister Hannah on August 17, 1833,
I am about to write to you on a subject which to you and Margaret will be one of the most
agitating interest; and which, on that account chiefly, is so to me.
By the new India Bill it is provided that one of the members of the Supreme Council,
which is to govern our Eastern Empire, is to be chosen from among persons who are not
servants of the Company. It is probable, indeed nearly certain, that the situation will be
offered to me.
The advantages are very great. It is a post of the highest dignity and consideration. The
salary is ten thousand pounds a year. I am assured by persons who know Calcutta
intimately, and who have themselves mixed in the highest circles and held the highest
offices at that Presidency, that I may live in splendour there for five thousand a year, and
may save the rest of the salary with the accruing interest. I may therefore hope to return to
England at only thirty-nine, in the full vigour of life, with a fortune of thirty thousand
pounds. A larger fortune I never desired.
I am not fond of money, or anxious about it. But, though every day makes me less and
less eager for wealth, every day shows me more and more strongly how necessary a