Answer:

William Jones was the important scholar who studied Sanskrit and found it to be the most scientific language of the world. He also translated the important works Shakuntala and Manusmriti into English.

Discovery of Sanskrit's Scientific Nature:
William Jones, a British Orientalist and judge, is known for his contributions to the field of linguistics and his study of Sanskrit. He founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 and played a significant role in the discovery of the Indo-European language family.

Sanskrit as the Most Scientific Language:
Jones studied Sanskrit extensively and concluded that it was the most scientific language in the world. He compared Sanskrit with Greek and Latin and found numerous similarities, leading him to propose the existence of a common ancestral language. This idea later became the foundation of modern linguistics and the Indo-European language family. Jones recognized the precision, flexibility, and logical structure of Sanskrit, which he believed surpassed other ancient languages in terms of grammatical and expressive power.

Translation of Shakuntala and Manusmriti:
Jones was not only a scholar but also a translator. He translated several important works from Sanskrit into English, including Shakuntala and Manusmriti.

- Shakuntala: Shakuntala is a famous Sanskrit play written by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa. It tells the story of Shakuntala, a young woman who falls in love with King Dushyanta. Jones's translation of Shakuntala made the play accessible to a wider audience and brought forth the beauty of Sanskrit literature.

- Manusmriti: Manusmriti, also known as the Laws of Manu, is an ancient Hindu legal text that lays down guidelines for social and moral conduct. Jones translated Manusmriti into English, making it available for study and analysis by scholars around the world.

Jones's translations not only helped popularize Sanskrit literature but also contributed to the understanding of Indian culture, philosophy, and legal traditions in the Western world.

Conclusion:
William Jones's study of Sanskrit and his translations of important works like Shakuntala and Manusmriti played a crucial role in introducing Indian culture and literature to the Western world. His recognition of Sanskrit as the most scientific language of the world and his contributions to linguistics continue to be significant in the field of language studies and the understanding of ancient civilizations.

William Jones