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The “Oriental-Occidental Controversy” of 1839 and Its Impact on Indian Science

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Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science ((BSPS,volume 136))

Abstract

India owes its introduction to modern science to the early European (Portuguese, Dutch, French and English) explorers, traders and missionaries. Through these contacts dating back to 16th century, the elements of civilization of the West and the spirit of rationalism began to produce an impact on the Indian mind. But when the English, who became the rulers, attempted to introduce English literature and Western science in the educational system, a bitter controversy erupted. After twelve years the controversy was finally settled by Macaulay in 1835. Popularly known as the “Oriental-Occidental controversy”, it had several dimensions and it was more than a linguistic battle1.

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  1. Clive, John, Thomas Babington Macaulay. The Shaping of the Historian, London, Seeker and Warburg, 1973, p.342.

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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Vasantha, A. (1992). The “Oriental-Occidental Controversy” of 1839 and Its Impact on Indian Science. In: Petitjean, P., Jami, C., Moulin, A.M. (eds) Science and Empires. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 136. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2594-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2594-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5145-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2594-9

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