From the passage on the Madras Photographic Society and the Government School of Industrial Arts, identify who was in charge of the Government School of Industrial Arts before Robert Chisholm took over.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to track roles and responsibilities of key individuals mentioned in the passage. The passage recounts how Alexander Hunter and later Robert Chisholm guided the institution that evolved into the Government College of Arts and Crafts. It clearly states who headed the Government School of Industrial Arts before Chisholm. The question asks you to recall that person’s name, which is explicitly mentioned in the narrative. Careful reading of the chronological details about leadership transitions is essential in such factual questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage mentions that Alexander Hunter founded the Madras School of Arts. • It later states that the institution was renamed the Government School of Industrial Arts. • The text says that Hunter was put in charge of this school in 1855. • It then notes that Hunter retired in 1868 and was succeeded by Robert Chisholm.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this question, simply follow the leadership timeline. The passage states something to the effect of, “Hunter was put in charge of the institution, renamed the Government School of Industrial Arts, in 1855. Hunter retired in 1868, to be succeeded by Robert Chisholm.” This sequence makes it clear that Hunter was in charge immediately before Chisholm became head. The other names given in the options—Lady Canning, C Iyahsawmi and Linnaeus Tripe—are associated with photography and patronage but not with the role of heading the school.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the institution: the Government School of Industrial Arts. 2. Find in the passage who was “put in charge” of this institution and when. 3. Note that Hunter took charge in 1855 and later retired. 4. Observe the next line, which states that he was succeeded by Robert Chisholm in 1868. 5. Conclude that Hunter was the person in charge immediately before Chisholm.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reconstruct the relevant lines: “Hunter had still earlier, in 1850, privately started the Madras School of Arts. ... There, he and an eight-member committee revised the syllabus... Hunter was put in charge of the institution, renamed the Government School of Industrial Arts, in 1855. It was the first formal school of Art in the country. ... Hunter retired in 1868, to be succeeded by Robert Chisholm.” These lines clearly show the succession order: Hunter first, then Chisholm. Lady Canning appears in connection with the “People of India” photography series; Tripe and Iyahsawmi are mentioned as photographers, not as heads of the school. Therefore, Hunter is the only option that correctly answers the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• “Lady Canning” is described as a photography enthusiast, not as an administrator or head of the school. • “Iyahsawmi” is mentioned as an assistant to Government photographer Linnaeus Tripe and not as the person in charge of the institution. • “Tripe” is referred to as a Government photographer capturing monuments of South India, not as the principal of the school.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse prominence in the passage with holding the particular role asked about in the question. Because Tripe and Canning are described in some detail, students may mistakenly associate them with leadership of the school. To avoid this, always pay close attention to verbs like “put in charge”, “succeeded by”, “headed”, or “founded”. These verbs specifically indicate roles and responsibilities and should guide your answer more than the general importance of any individual in the passage.

Final Answer:
The Government School of Industrial Arts was headed by Hunter before Robert Chisholm took over.