Coalescing the Romance of Antiquity, Literature, Orient and Imperial Justice: Sir William Jones and the Birth of ‘Indology’

Two hundred years of ‘Indology ’ have developed a very controversial heritage which is misconceived as the concept of ‘Indian Nationalism’ owes its origin to ‘Indology’. The recent debate on the nature of ‘Indology ’ is restricted to a uni-linear approach of the romance of ancient literature. It ignores the internal dynamic, necessity, process and mechanism working behind the emergence of ‘Indology ’ as a potent field out of ‘orientalism. All this can well be approached through a comparative analysis of Sir William Jones ’ (1746-1794) thought as an ‘orientalist ’ and ‘Indologist’. This paper revolves around the theme that Jones had a romance of antiquity, literature, orient and justice, which he found best, coalesced with ancient Indian Sanskrit literature. However, the mechanism and romance of Jones ’ ‘Indology’ widened the gulf between major components of Indian society. I