The correct answer is: a) Promotion of Western education.
Presidency College was established in Madras in 1857 by the British East India Company. It was the first college in India to offer a Western-style education. The college was modeled after the University of London and offered courses in arts, sciences, and law. The establishment of Presidency College was a significant step towards the promotion of Western education in India.
Option b) is incorrect because Presidency College did not train Indian civil servants. The Indian Civil Service was a British civil service that administered British India. Indian civil servants were recruited through the Indian Civil Service Examination, which was held in London.
Option c) is incorrect because Presidency College did not engage in religious conversion efforts. The British East India Company was a secular organization and did not promote any particular religion.
Option d) is incorrect because Presidency College did not provide military training for Indian recruits. The British East India Company had its own military, which was recruited from Britain.