Explanation: During the British colonial rule in India, the educational landscape was significantly influenced by the British policies and their approach to education. The term "temples of darkness" was used to criticize certain educational institutions that were perceived to be promoting religious and traditional education at the expense of modern, secular, and scientific knowledge.
The Benaras Sanskrit College, established in 1791, was one such institution. It was primarily focused on the study of Sanskrit and Hindu religious texts. Critics argued that this focus on traditional religious education did not equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the modern world. The college was seen as a "temple of darkness" because it was believed to perpetuate a narrow, religious worldview that was not conducive to the broader educational needs of the time.
Similarly, the Calcutta Madrassa, founded in 1781, was another institution that was criticized for its emphasis on Islamic religious education. Like the Benaras Sanskrit College, the Calcutta Madrassa was seen as a "temple of darkness" because it was believed to be promoting a religious education that was not aligned with the modern, secular education that the British were trying to introduce in India.
These institutions were part of a broader debate about the nature of education in colonial India. The British colonial administration sought to introduce a more modern, secular education system that would produce a class of educated Indians who could serve in the colonial administration and help in the governance of the country. The focus on religious education in these institutions was seen as a hindrance to this goal.
It is important to note that the term "temples of darkness" was not applied to all religious institutions. The Benaras Madrassa, for instance, was not specifically mentioned in historical contexts as a "temple of darkness." The term was more commonly associated with the Benaras Sanskrit College and the Calcutta Madrassa due to their significant roles in the educational landscape of the time and the specific criticisms they faced.
In summary, the Benaras Sanskrit College and the Calcutta Madrassa were seen as "temples of darkness" because of their focus on religious education, which was criticized for not providing the modern, secular education that was deemed necessary for the development of India during the colonial period.