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SIR WILLIAM JONES (1746-1794) AND THE ASIATICK SOCIETY OF BENGAL
On the Hindus [in:] Asiatick Researches: or, Transactions of the Society Instituted in Bengal, for inquiring into the History and Antiquities, The Arts, Sciences, and Literature, of Asia. Calcutta: Manuel Cantopher, 1788. 4° (305 x 235mm). 34 engraved plates. (Title and last few gatherings creased). Contemporary tree-calf, flat spine gilt with rules and central circular tool in each compartment, red morocco label (joints starting but holding).
FIRST EDITION -- 'THE BIRTH OF COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY' (PMM). William Jones's paper announced his 'epoch-making discovery' of the relationship between the Sanskrit, Gothic, Greek and Latin languages; this marked 'a turning point in the history of linguistics and signalled the birth of comparative philology ... His clear understanding of the basic principles of scientific linguistics provided the foundations on which Rask, Bopp and Grimm built the imposing structure of comparative Indo-European studies' (PMM 235). This first volume of the Transactions, also includes Samuel Turner's An account of a journey to Tibet describing Purangir's journey to the Panchen Lama. Warren Hastings, the most enlightened of the British Governors General, was the Society's patron, which 'quickly became the catalyst for a sudden explosion of interest in Hinduism, as it formed enduring relations with the local Bengali intelligentsia and led the way to uncovering the deepest roots of Indian history and civilisation' (Dalrymple White Mughals, 2004, p.41).
On the Hindus [in:] Asiatick Researches: or, Transactions of the Society Instituted in Bengal, for inquiring into the History and Antiquities, The Arts, Sciences, and Literature, of Asia. Calcutta: Manuel Cantopher, 1788. 4° (305 x 235mm). 34 engraved plates. (Title and last few gatherings creased). Contemporary tree-calf, flat spine gilt with rules and central circular tool in each compartment, red morocco label (joints starting but holding).
FIRST EDITION -- 'THE BIRTH OF COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY' (PMM). William Jones's paper announced his 'epoch-making discovery' of the relationship between the Sanskrit, Gothic, Greek and Latin languages; this marked 'a turning point in the history of linguistics and signalled the birth of comparative philology ... His clear understanding of the basic principles of scientific linguistics provided the foundations on which Rask, Bopp and Grimm built the imposing structure of comparative Indo-European studies' (PMM 235). This first volume of the Transactions, also includes Samuel Turner's An account of a journey to Tibet describing Purangir's journey to the Panchen Lama. Warren Hastings, the most enlightened of the British Governors General, was the Society's patron, which 'quickly became the catalyst for a sudden explosion of interest in Hinduism, as it formed enduring relations with the local Bengali intelligentsia and led the way to uncovering the deepest roots of Indian history and civilisation' (Dalrymple White Mughals, 2004, p.41).
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