Modern Historians of Ancient India

Colonist Views and Contribution

 The first modern research of the ancient history of India started in the 18^th century. Researches were done primarily to make British administration easy in colonial India, as it was difficult to administer the Hindu Law of Inheritance. So, Manusmriti was translated as ‘A Code of Gentoo Laws’ in 1776. Bhagavad-Gita was also translated into English in 1785 by Wilkins. Asiatic societies were set up during the course of time to help facilitate research on ancient India.

 

Asiatic Society	Year of Beginning
Calcutta (Kolkata)	1784
Bombay (Mumbai)	1804
Great Britain	1823

 Interest on Indological studies increased manifold after the theory that European languages were similar to Sanskrit and Iranian Languages. Max Mueller made a huge impact in Indological studies. Under his supervision, ancient books were translated into various European languages. This was primarily done because after the revolt of 1857 the British realized that they need a far deeper understanding of India’s social system in order to rule the country. Apart from this Christian Institutions also wanted to find the loopholes of Hinduism for it to spread Christianity in India. Among the translated books, ‘Sacred Books of the East’ series is the most important one, as it had 50 volumes, majority of which were Indian and a few Chinese and Iranian Books.

 Generalizations of Ancient India

 There were few generalizations that can be made from the various studies of Ancient India. 

1.      Indians did not show strong chronology.

2.      Caste system was the most dominant and vicious form of discrimination

3.      Indians do not have feels of nationhood and are incapable for self-governance

4.      Indians were accustomed to despotic rule.

5.      Autocracy is the only form on governance in ancient India.

 Views of Indian Scholars

 Indian historians differed in view with their foreign counterparts. Although nationalist views can be a little exaggerating, it gives a slightly different perspective of the events.

 Indian historians argued that India’s caste system is no different from Britain’s class system.  However, even they accept the fact that Caste system was very important and the ill effects of it along with sati and child marriage. Religious Ideas, rituals, caste, kinship and tradition formed the crux of ancient India.

The overall implication of these studies is, ‘Indian Society has not and cannot be changed, which means under-development will always be a part of India’.