Which Indian social reformer strongly advocated the introduction of modern Western education in India during British rule?

Introduction / Context:
During British rule in India, the nature of education was a major subject of debate. Some reformers believed that traditional systems needed to be supplemented or replaced by modern Western education, including English language and scientific subjects. This question asks you to identify the early nineteenth century Indian reformer who actively supported the introduction of such modern education and petitioned the colonial government for it.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on introducing Western education during the early period of British rule.
• The person must be an Indian social or political leader.
• Options include Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and Dadabhai Naoroji.
• You are expected to know who campaigned for English and Western style education in the early nineteenth century.

Concept / Approach:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a pioneering social and religious reformer who lived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He argued that India needed modern scientific and secular education, not just traditional Sanskrit based learning. He submitted memorials to the British authorities advocating the use of funds for English education and useful knowledge. The other leaders listed, such as Shastri, Bose, and Patel, came later in the national movement and were involved in political struggles rather than in early educational reform of this kind. Therefore, connecting Western education advocacy with Raja Ram Mohan Roy is the correct approach.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question refers to the early period of British rule and the issue of introducing modern Western education. Step 2: Recall that Raja Ram Mohan Roy, founder of the Brahmo Samaj, wrote to British officials arguing for English and scientific education. Step 3: Recognise that Lal Bahadur Shastri, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and Sardar Vallabhai Patel were twentieth century political leaders involved in independence struggles, not in early nineteenth century educational petitions. Step 4: Note that Dadabhai Naoroji contributed to economic and political thought later in the nineteenth century, but he is not primarily remembered for introducing Western education. Step 5: Select Raja Ram Mohan Roy as the reformer who strongly advocated modern Western education in India.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling that history textbooks describe how Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed using funds solely for Sanskrit colleges and instead requested that the British support English language schools teaching mathematics, science, and modern subjects. Macaulay famous minute on education later aligned with the idea of promoting English, but Ram Mohan Roy appeals predated it. None of the other leaders are mentioned in this specific context. This confirms that he was the main Indian advocate of Western education in the early period.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lal Bahadur Shastri was India second Prime Minister and is best known for his slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, not for early educational reform under the East India Company. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a militant nationalist leader associated with the Indian National Army, again from a much later era. Sardar Vallabhai Patel played a central role in integrating princely states after independence, not in advocating Western education in the early nineteenth century. Dadabhai Naoroji contributed important economic critiques of British rule but is not the primary name associated with the introduction of English education. Thus, these options do not match the context of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose Dadabhai Naoroji or Subhash Chandra Bose because they are famous and associated with modern thinking, without paying attention to the time period implied by the question. Another pitfall is ignoring the word introduced and thinking only about who benefited from Western education. To avoid such mistakes, try to place each leader on a historical timeline: Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the early nineteenth century reform period, Naoroji in the later nineteenth century, and Bose and Patel in the twentieth century. This chronological awareness makes it easier to match actions with the correct people.

Final Answer:
The Indian social reformer who strongly advocated the introduction of modern Western education in India during British rule was Raja Ram Mohan Roy.