Sir
William Jones a great scholar, a historian, a lawyer, an orientalist
and a linguist is
remembered not only for his great works but also for the
controversies which some of his great works generated. As a western
scholar, he had contributed immensely to the Indo-European languages.
He is widely acclaimed for the development of comparative
linguistics. William Jones is regarded as one of the greatest of the
Orientalists. He holds the reputation of adding hugely to the body of
Oriental studies.
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Works
of Sir William Jones
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William
Jones knew sea of languages such as Latin, Greek, Italian, Spanish,
French, Portuguese, Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish and Persian. His command
over vast number of languages was unparalleled and unmatched. Under
the commission of the king of Denmark, he translated into French, the
history of Persian Conqueror, Nadir Shah. This goes as his first
published work. His another ground-breaking work was the “Grammar
of the Persian Language”(1771).
William
Jones mastery in Sanskrit makes him one of the greatest western
scholars in Indian History and laws. It all began when Jones got an
Indian post in 1783. He landed in Calcutta with the designation of a
judge at Bengal Supreme Court. Though he was a great scholar but his
persona cannot be disassociated with his colonial connection. As a
judge at Bengal Supreme Court, he had to promote colonialism. Jones
founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal. He studied sanskrit to
understand Hindu laws.
Jones
tremendous mastery over Sanskrit made him delve into the Indian
literature and study history, society, culture and tradition in
India. His practice and skills in law as a jurist and his scholarship
in sanskrit sailed him all the way in the realms of Hindu laws which
formed the backbone of Indian society. Jones served as a great
British diplomat. Critics say, he interpreted the Hindu laws to
support the colonial legacy in India.
Jones
translated the Manusmriti (the Hindu code of Law). Manusmriti, a
discourse given by ancient Indian law-giver Manu, is regarded as the
code of law that governed the ancient Indian society. He became the
first to translate this Hindu scripture. Jones reached new heights of
acclamation with his translation of Manusmriti. But at the same time
his translation drew controversy.
Indian
critics of Jones said that that Jones’ interpretation of Manusmriti
was to justify the presence of British colonial rule in India. The
British tried to portray India’s social and economic conditions in
poor light to justify their presence. Jones translation of the verse
in Manusmriti which says that a woman is never independent but are
dependent first on parents, then on husband and later on son showed
women were oppressed in ancient India.
The
subjugation of women in Jones translation reflects the the rights
denied to Hindu women. Many Indian nationalists criticized Jones for
portraying miserable plight of ancient Indian women to support
British rule. They argued that the British tried to present
themselves as rescuers of Indian women from the clutches of
patriarchy in India.
William
Jones translation of Manusmriti brought both acclamation and
criticism from all quarters and circles. His translation of
Manusmriti became controversial and fuelled debates. But this does
not overshadow Jones scholarship in languages and his great
contribution to Oriental studies. His other renowned works include
translation of Indian dramas Sakunta or the The Fatal Ring (1799) by
Kalidasa and Gita Govinda by Jayadeva (1789). Jones has made immense
contribution to history and establishing the family of Indo-European
languages. Sir William Jones can rightly be called one of the
founding father of comparative linguistics.
