Yes, the introduction of modern western education played a pivotal role in awakening Indians to the need for reforming their stagnant society.
Educated Indians took the leadership in socio-religious reform movements that brought an end to sati, child marriage, infanticide, superstitious beliefs and caste rigidity. They also legalised widow remarriage, improved the status of women by recognising their right to education and property, weakened priestly domination, and advocated a more humane treatment to the lower castes and untouchables.
Due to the spread of western education and thought in the nineteenth century, a large number of Indians imbibed a modern, rational, democratic, secular and nationalist political outlook. Indians began to study, admire and learn from the contemporary nationalist movements of Europe. Rousseau, Paine, John Stuart Mill and other western thinkers became their political guides; Mazzini and Garibaldi became their political heroes.
Educated Indians felt the humiliation of British rule and acquired the ability to analyse the evil effects of foreign rule. In course of time, they became the leaders and organisers of the National Movement. The English language became the link language between educated Indians from different linguistic regions of India. It helped to spread modern ideas that created uniformity and commonality of outlook among Indians.