Civilising The "Native", Educating the Nation

Question 1

Who was William Jones?

Answer 1

A British jurist and linguist who arrived in Calcutta in 1783 as a junior judge.

Question 2

What was William Jones’s interest in Calcutta?

Answer 2

Studying Sanskrit and ancient Indian texts on law, philosophy, and sciences.

Question 3

What languages did William Jones know?

Answer 3

Greek, Latin, French, English, Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit.

Question 4

Who were William Jones’s contemporaries in Calcutta?

Answer 4

Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed.

Question 5

What did William Jones and his contemporaries establish in Calcutta?

Answer 5

The Asiatic Society of Bengal and the journal Asiatick Research.

Question 6

What role did William Jones play in the Asiatic Society of Bengal?

Answer 6

He was a key founder and promoter of the society.

Question 7

What was the significance of the journal Asiatick Research?

Answer 7

It published translations of Indian texts and research on Asian cultures.

Question 8

What was the cultural impact of Jones and his contemporaries’ work?

Answer 8

It deepened understanding of Indian culture and knowledge in the West.

Question 9

How did Jones’s studies influence British views on India?

Answer 9

It helped the British appreciate India’s ancient intellectual traditions.

Question 10

What attitude did Jones and Colebrooke have towards India?

Answer 10

They respected ancient Indian culture and believed it had declined over time.

Question 11

What did Jones and Colebrooke aim to do with ancient texts?

Answer 11

They sought to discover, translate, and understand the ancient texts to reveal Hindu and Muslim ideas and laws.

Question 12

What attitude did Jones and Colebrooke have towards India?

Answer 12

They respected ancient Indian culture and believed it had declined over time

Question 13

How did Jones and Colebrooke view the role of British officials in India?

Answer 13

They believed the British should act as guardians and masters of Indian culture.

Question 14

What did some British Company officials argue about promoting learning in India?

Answer 14

They argued that British officials should promote Indian learning, especially Sanskrit and Persian literature, rather than Western education.

Question 15

What did British officials believe was necessary to gain the respect of Indians?

Answer 15

They believed teaching Indians what they valued, like their own literature and heritage, would help the British win their respect.

Question 16

What did British officials think about teaching Hindus and Muslims?

Answer 16

They thought Hindus and Muslims should be taught subjects they were already familiar with, not alien subjects.

Question 17

What did Jones and Colebrooke believe the study of ancient texts could achieve for India?

Answer 17

They believed it would help India rediscover its lost glories and heritage.

Question 18

How did Jones and Colebrooke see the British role in India’s cultural future?

Answer 18

They saw the British as both the guardians and masters of Indian culture, guiding its rediscovery.

Question 19

How did Jones and Colebrooke view the decline of Indian civilisation?

Answer 19

They believed Indian civilisation had reached its peak in the ancient past but had since declined.

Question 20

What impact did Jones and Colebrooke hope their project would have on British society?

Answer 20

They hoped their work would help the British learn from Indian culture.

Question 21

Why did some British officials argue for promoting Indian learning?

Answer 21

They believed that encouraging Indian learning would win the respect and affection of the Indian people.

Question 22

What did British officials believe about teaching Indian subjects versus Western ones?

Answer 22

They believed that teaching Indians their own traditions and knowledge would be more effective than imposing Western subjects.

Question 23

What was the ultimate goal of British officials regarding their relationship with Indians?

Answer 23

The goal was to be respected by the Indians and earn a place in their hearts by understanding and supporting their culture.