Question

From among the following statements regarding early orientalism of the British scholars in India, which one are correct?

(A) By establishing a linguistic connection between Sanskrit, Greek and Latin William Jones privileged India with an antiquity equal to that of classical-west

(B) The fundamental principle of early orientalists tradition was that the conquered people were to be ruled by the British legal traditions

(C) The early orientalists' study of Indian customs and laws was to show the barbasic state of Indian society

(D) The beginning of orientalists' tradition led to the founding of Calcutta Madrassa, the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. (A), (B) and (C) only
2. (A) and (D) only
3. (B), (C) and (D) only
4. (C) and (D) only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : (A) and (D) only

• The orientalist approach to Indian society and polity can be seen in the works of scholars like William Jones who through their works have shown the greatness of the Indian civilization in the past and its degeneration over the years.
• The orientalists’ believed that it was their mission to make known to the natives of India, the greatness of their civilization which was till now monopolized by religious heads. The orientalists drew comparisons between Sanskrit and other languages to establish the antiquity of the Indian civilization to the west.
• The zeal of the orientalists as pointed out by historian Shekhar Bandhopadhyay led to the emergence of institutions like the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta Madrassa, and Sanskrit College etc. to promote the learning of Indian languages and scriptures.
• The official application of this theory was seen in the policies of Warren Hastings, which allowed for the subjects to be ruled by the traditional laws of the land in a way that allowed the British rule to legitimate. This process has been termed reverse acculturation by Gauri Vishwanathan. This process allowed the colonial state to make efforts to study the native language, understand its customs and tradition to rule its new subjects.
• Hence based on the above information Option 2 i.e. statements A and D are correct.
• The fundamental principle of early orientalists tradition was that the conquered people were to be ruled by the British legal traditions and the early orientalists' study of Indian customs and laws was to show the barbaric state of Indian society are incorrect.