SIR WILLIAM JONES AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE BEGINNING OF NEW ERA OF BENGAL AS WELL AS INDIA

Abstract

The reason for the absence of a literary atmosphere in Calcutta was that it was established in 1690 as a trading post of the European traders. Jones with the ungrudging support of his collaborators, made Calcutta what it is today, the intellectual capital of India, with a myriad of Societies, Universities, Museums, Library clubs, Libraries and Laboratories. To create an elite circle similar to that in London, Jones invited-cooperation of the enlightened Europeans residing in Calcutta at the time for the foundation of an Institution where united action could be taken to promote the study of Oriental literature and science and where by the co-operation-of the money, the talents and abstract studies of the few would prove most effectual.1