Abstract

Background: During the British colonial era, the use of English significantly altered educational, linguistic and sociopolitical dynamics of Bengal. English was first used as a language of government and administration, but it quickly evolved into a tool for colonial control, elite formation and intellectual discourse. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to critically analyze historical significance, linguistic impact and sociopolitical ramifications of English in Bengal prior to independence (till 1947). It focuses on how language functioned both as a vehicle for resistance and reform as well as an instrument of domination. Methodology: A qualitative historical-documentary approach was employed. Academic publications, journal articles and archival papers were analyzed alongside secondary sources, in addition to primary materials such as educational policies, missionary reports and colonial records. Findings: The study reveals that English played a dual role in colonial Bengal. It contributed to the emergence of a Western-educated elite who supported the colonial administration, while also participating in reformist and nationalist movements. English influenced linguistic identity, transformed the structure of Bengali education and contributed to sociopolitical change during the Bengal Renaissance. Research implications: This study highlights the paradoxical role of English in Bengal's colonial history by emphasizing its function as both a mechanism of control and a means of emancipation. It contributes original insights into the intertwined relationship between language, power and identity in the colonial context, particularly in Bengal.