Religion, Enlightenment and Empire
British Interpretations of Hinduism in the Eighteenth Century

Explores British interpretations of Hinduism at a crucial period in the East India Company's conquest of Bengal.

Jessica Patterson (Author)

9781316510636, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 December 2021

350 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.6 cm, 0.687 kg

In the second half of the eighteenth century, several British East India Company servants published accounts of what they deemed to be the original and ancient religion of India. Drawing on what are recognised today as the texts and traditions of Hinduism, these works fed into a booming enlightenment interest in Eastern philosophy. At the same time, the Company's aggressive conquest of Bengal was facing a crisis of legitimacy and many of the prominent political minds of the day were turning their attention to the question of empire. In this original study, Jessica Patterson situates these Company works on the 'Hindu religion' in the twin contexts of enlightenment and empire. In doing so, she uncovers the central role of heterodox religious approaches to Indian religions for enlightenment thought, East India Company policy, and contemporary ideas of empire.

Introduction
Part I. Religion, Enlightenment and Empire: 1. European Letters, the Company and Hinduism
2. John Zephaniah Holwell and the Religion of the Gentoos
3. Alexander Dow and the Hindoo Shasters
4. Enlightenment and Empire
Part II. From Scepticism to Orientalism: 5. Nathaniel Brassey Halhed and Gentoo Antiquity
6. Charles Wilkins and the G??t?
7. William Jones, Ved?nta and the 'Permanent Settlement'
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Hinduism [HRG], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Asian history [HBJF], British & Irish history [HBJD1]