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Asiatic Society of Bengal was formed by Sir William Jones on 15 January 1784 in Calcutta.
What was the main purpose of the Asiatic Society of Bengal?
The main aim of Asiatic Society of Bengal was to study and promote Asian languages, literature, science, and culture.
Which institution emerged from the Society?
The Indian Museum in Calcutta was born from the Society’s collection of artefacts.
What is the current status of Asiatic Society of Bengal?
The Asiatic Society is currently an Institute of National Importance declared by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
How did the Asiatic Society contribute to Indian history?
It encouraged historical research using texts, inscriptions, and coins, laying a foundation for evidence-based historical research in India.
Asiatic Society of Bengal, History, Objectives, Contributions
Asiatic Society of Bengal was a pioneering academic institution founded in 1784 in Calcutta. Asiatic Society of Bengal was established by Sir William Jones to explore Indian heritage.
Deeksha Dixit26 Jun, 2025
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Asiatic Society of Bengal played a major role in India's cultural and historical studies. Founded on January 15, 1784, during British rule, it was one of the first organized efforts to study India’s ancient civilization. At a time when European scholars often misunderstood or undervalued Indian traditions, this society took a respectful approach to Indian knowledge systems.
Later, the Asiatic Society of Bengal helped lay the foundation for the Indian Renaissance and nationalism. Read on to learn more about the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
Asiatic Society of Bengal 1784
Asiatic Society of Bengal was set up by Sir William Jones to promote and encourage research into the history, culture, languages, literature, and sciences of the Indian subcontinent. Founded on January 15, 1784, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), it made significant contributions to Oriental studies of Indian culture. At present, the Asiatic Society of Bengal 1784 is an Institute of National Importance declared by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Culture.
History of Asiatic Society of Bengal
The Asiatic Society of Bengal was established on 15 January 1784 in Calcutta (now Kolkata). At that time, India was under the control of the British East India Company. Many British officers were posted in India, but very few tried to understand Indian culture and traditions from an academic or respectful point of view.
Sir William Jones, a judge of the Supreme Court of Calcutta, believed that a systematic study of Indian texts and traditions could offer valuable insights into India’s rich civilisation. He noticed that India had an ancient system of law, science, art, and philosophy that deserved careful study. With this idea in mind, he proposed the creation of a society dedicated to Asian studies.
Initially named the Asiatick Society, the organisation was renamed as the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1825. Over time, it attracted not just European scholars but also Indian intellectuals who wanted to rediscover their roots. The Society became an academic platform where East met West in the field of research.
Asiatic Society of Bengal Founder
Asiatic Society of Bengal was founded by Sir William Jones. Born in 1746 in London, he was a respected linguist, orientalist, and legal expert. Before coming to India, he had already mastered multiple European and Asian languages, including Latin, Greek, Persian, and Arabic. When Jones arrived in Calcutta in 1783, he was deeply impressed by India's intellectual traditions.
Jones believed that studying Indian texts would help the British better understand Indian society. His vision, supported by Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal (1772–1785), motivated him to found the Asiatic Society. He served as its first president until his death in 1794.
Asiatic Society of Bengal Objectives
The Asiatic Society of Bengal aimed to become a research centre for all aspects of Asian, particularly Indian, civilisation. Its key goals included:
Promoting the study of Asian languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and Pali.
Translating ancient Indian texts into English and other European languages.
Researching Indian laws, religion, philosophy, science, and customs.
Collecting rare manuscripts, coins, inscriptions, and artefacts.
Publishing journals, papers, and books on Asian subjects.
Preserving and promoting Indian heritage through modern academic tools.
In short, the Society aimed to bridge the knowledge gap between Europe and Asia. It provided a platform where traditional Indian knowledge could be studied using modern methods.
Contributions of Asiatic Society of Bengal
The Asiatic Society of Bengal played a significant role in shaping India's academic and cultural development during colonial rule. Some of its key contributions are:
Preservation and Translation of Ancient Texts
The Society published Bibliotheca Indica, which included translations of ancient Indian texts like theRamayana, Markandeya Purana, and Katha Sarit Sagara. These translations allowed global audiences to access India’s rich literary and legal heritage for the first time.
Promotion of Linguistic and Literary Studies
The Society laid the foundation for the modern study of Indian languages. Scholars under its umbrella studied Sanskrit grammar, classical Persian poetry, and regional dialects. These efforts helped build dictionaries, grammar books, and glossaries, which are still valuable today.
Contribution to Indian Historiography
Before the Society’s work, Indian history was often seen as mythological or unverified. The Society encouraged the use of evidence-based historical research using coins, inscriptions, and manuscripts.
Birth of Indian Museum and Archaeology
The Asiatic Society’s collection of statues, coins, fossils, and manuscripts eventually led to the formation of the Indian Museum in Calcutta in 1814. This was one of the first museums in Asia. It gave the public access to Indian artefacts, which were earlier only available to researchers.
Establishment of a Vast Library
The Society encouraged scientific inquiry in subjects like astronomy, medicine, geography, and botany. Its library grew to house over 117,000 books and 79,000 journals in many major languages.
Inspiring Indian Reformers and Thinkers
Many Indian reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were influenced by the Society’s work. It helped them realise the greatness of India’s heritage. This awareness later fuelled social reforms and nationalist movements.
In summary, by making ancient Indian wisdom accessible, the Asiatic Society of Bengal created a sense of cultural pride. It inspired Indians to fight against colonial narratives that portrayed Indian civilisation as backward.
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