Sanskrit and the British Empire

The discovery of Sanskrit in British India had a significant impact on intellectual curiosity, evangelical considerations, colonial administrative requirements, and political compulsions. This book explores how the British needed Sanskrit for dispensation of Hindu civil law, cultivated learned Pandits, and developed scholarship. It also examines how Sanskrit in pre- and non-British India had a bearing on Europe and explores themes such as Jesuit Sanskrit, Hinduism in practice, scripturism, Aryan Race Theory, seductive orientalism, and the introduction of archivalism in India.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 162 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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Europes discovery of Sanskrit was a momentous historical event that had profound implications for intellectual curiosity, religious considerations, colonial administrative needs, and political motivations. This book delves into the intricate interplay between Sanskrit texts and the imperial and colonial presence in India, offering a critical analysis of this complex relationship. It goes beyond the mere question of what the discovery of Sanskrit meant for the West and explores the profound impact it had on India.

The author examines how the British relied on Sanskrit for the administration of Hindu civil law, the cultivation of learned Pandits, and the development of scholarship that transcended mere utilitarianism. He also explores the extent to which Sanskrit had influenced Europe in pre- and non-British India, delving into themes such as Jesuit Sanskrit, Hinduism in practice, scripturism, Aryan Race Theory, seductive orientalism, and the introduction of archivalism in India.

This book is a treasure trove of archival sources, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers interested in colonial history, modern Indian history, Indology, linguistics, history of education, Sanskrit studies, post-colonial studies, and cultural studies. Its comprehensive approach and rich insights into the historical and cultural dynamics of Sanskrit in British India make it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of this fascinating period.

\n Weight: 286g\n
Dimension: 233 x 157 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781032070506\n \n