Question

You are studying history with your classmate Divya. She asks you to teach her about the Orientalists. Which of these options would help you clarify your friend's doubts?

• A. Someone who writes about the history of eastern cultures with bias and prejudice is called as Orientalist.
• B. Orientalists research about the Vedic tradition and Sanskrit language.
• C. Orientalist historians helped to translate many ancient religious and philosophical texts of Asia into European languages.
• D. They helped in setting up research into the field of ancient Indian literature and history.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

They helped in setting up research into the field of ancient Indian literature and history.

An Orientalist is a historian from the west who studies the language, culture, history or customs of countries in eastern Asia. Vedic tradition and Sanskrit literature were their primary areas of research. Sir William Jones was a British Orientalist who founded the Asiatic Society in Calcutta in 1784. This society opened the doors for research in the field of ancient Indian literature and history. Friedrich Max Muller was another prominent Orientalist scholar. He was instrumental in translating some of the most ancient religious and philosophical texts of Asia into European languages.