"British Orientalists’ Translations and Editorial work on Indian (Urdu) Prose Texts: A Research Perspective

(With Reference to the 19th Century)

Abstract

In the 19th century, a critical evaluation of the services rendered by Orientalists holds significant importance. To secure and prolong their rule over India, it was deemed necessary for the British to acquire deep knowledge of Indian civilization, culture, customs, and local languages. For this purpose, the Curricula were developed specifically to teach these local languages, and texts were prepared to meet these academic requirements. The texts translated into English by Orientalists were mostly those that had been published under the auspices of Fort William College and had become part of the academic curriculum. In these translations, the primary objective of attention and effort was to make the content accessible and convenient for students. Among the prose tales that were translated and edited are: Bagh-o-Bahar, Tota Kahani, Mazhhab-e-Ishq, Khirad Afroz, Baital Pachisi, Mirat-ul-Uroos, Taubat -un-Nasuh.In the edited texts, alongside the Urdu script, Roman transliterations and glossaries were also provided. However, some Orientalists also elaborated on the significance of these texts. In certain cases, a colonial perspective emerged regarding the nature and purpose of these works. At times, Eastern literature and knowledge were appreciated, while at other times they were portrayed as superstitious, ignorant, or lacking in insight. This study also reveals that among Orientalists, there existed conflicting and diverse views regarding Indians and Eastern knowledge and literature.