The ‘Asiatic society of Bengal’ was set up by which of the following?...
- Nathaniel Halhed, Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Willam Jones together set up the ‘Asiatic Society of Bengal’, and started a journal called ‘Asiatick Researches’.
- William Jones arrived in Calcutta and had an appointment as a junior judge at the Supreme Court that the Company had set up. In addition to being an expert in law, Jones was a linguist.
- He had studied Greek and Latin at Oxford, knew French and English, had picked up Arabic from a friend, and had also learnt Persian. At Calcutta, he began spending many hours a day with pandits who taught him the subtleties of Sanskrit language, grammar and poetry. Soon he was studying ancient Indian texts on law, philosophy, religion, politics, morality, arithmetic, medicine and the other sciences. Jones discovered that his interests were shared by many British officials living in Calcutta at the time. Englishmen like Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed were also busy discovering the ancient Indian heritage, mastering Indian languages and translating Sanskrit and Persian works into English. Jones and Colebrooke came to represent a particular attitude towards India.
- They shared a deep respect for ancient cultures, both of India and the West. Indian civilisation, they felt, had attained its glory in the ancient past, but had subsequently declined. In order to understand India it was necessary to discover the sacred and legal texts that were produced in the ancient period. For only those texts could reveal the real ideas and laws of the Hindus and Muslims, and only a new study of these texts could form the basis of future development in India. So Jones and Colebrooke went about discovering ancient texts, understanding their meaning, translating them, and making their findings known to others. This project, they believed, would not only help the British learn from Indian culture, but it would also help Indians rediscover their own heritage, and understand the lost glories of their past. In this process the British would become the guardians of Indian culture as well as its masters.
The ‘Asiatic society of Bengal’ was set up by which of the following?...
The Asiatic Society of Bengal
The Asiatic Society of Bengal, established in 1784, played a crucial role in the study and promotion of Asian cultures and languages.
Founders of the Society
- William Jones: He was a prominent linguist and jurist, and is often credited as the principal founder of the Asiatic Society. His interest in Indian languages and culture led to the establishment of the society, which aimed at promoting knowledge about Asia.
- Nathaniel Halhed: An important figure in the early days of the society, Halhed contributed significantly by translating texts and helping in the publication of works that highlighted Indian culture and literature.
- Henry Thomas Colebrooke: Another key member, Colebrooke was instrumental in the study of Hindu law and Sanskrit literature, and he also served as a secretary of the society. His scholarly contributions helped enhance the understanding of Indian traditions and languages.
Significance of the Society
- The Asiatic Society became a hub for scholars and intellectuals interested in Asian studies.
- It facilitated the exchange of ideas and research on various aspects of Asian history, culture, and languages.
- The society continues to exist, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Asian heritage.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct answer to the question is option 'D' (1, 2, and 3), as all three individuals—Nathaniel Halhed, Henry Thomas Colebrooke, and William Jones—were instrumental in the founding of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Their collective efforts laid a strong foundation for future research and scholarship in the field of Asian studies.
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