Colonialism led to the growth of English educated middle class. They read thinkers of western enlightenment, philosophers of liberal democracy and dreamt of ushering in a liberal and progressive India. And yet, humiliated by colonial rule, they took pride in traditional learning and scholarship.
Modernity spelled not merely new ideas but also a rethinking of tradition. Both culture and tradition are living entities. People learn them and in turn modify them. For example, traditionally the sari, a loose unstitched piece of cloth was differently worn in different regions. The standard way that the modern middle class woman wear was a novel combination of the traditional sari with the western petticoat and blouse.