CASTE AND ACCESSIBILITY TO ENGLISH

Before the existence of schools, as we know them today, India had a system of Pathshalas, Tols, Gurukuls and Madrasas. While Madrasas focussed on Islamic theology, tradition and culture, Gurukuls emphasized memorization and recitation of Vedic scriptures, epics, and rituals. Gurukuls were attended by upper caste Brahmins who were taught in Sanskrit and were expected to consecrate ceremonies through Vedic rituals for all castes across villages and also emerge as teachers themselves. 

With the advent of the British and the establishment of formal schools, the same norm prevailed where students attending school were either born into Brahmin families or were sons of wealthy nawabs or merchants. As a result, schools - whose medium was primarily English - were not accessible to the lower castes or the poor. This not only left this gentry void of the English language, but it also marginalized them by taking away their chances at social mobility.

The story of "A Horse and Two Goats" gives a glimpse of this phenomenon as Muni, while conversing with the American, highlights this very reality as he shares how the Brahmin children went to school and how he would go to the fields as a child and never had access to the English language.