Introduction
The colonial period in India, especially under British rule (18th to mid-20th century), saw a surge in translation activities. These translations were carried out by both Indian and British scholars for political, administrative, religious, and educational purposes. Translation during this period played a double role: it helped the colonizers understand Indian society and also enabled Indians to access Western thought and literature.
Reasons for Translation During Colonial Rule
- Administrative Needs: The British required translations of Indian legal texts, administrative rules, and religious scriptures to govern the local population.
- Missionary Work: Christian missionaries translated the Bible into Indian languages to spread Christianity.
- Educational Reforms: Western education was introduced, and English literature and science texts were translated into Indian languages.
Major Translation Efforts
- William Jones: Founded the Asiatic Society and translated Kalidasa’s “Shakuntala” and Manu Smriti from Sanskrit to English.
- Charles Wilkins: Translated the Bhagavad Gita into English in 1785, making it one of the first Indian texts introduced to the West.
- Monier-Williams: Created Sanskrit-English dictionaries and translated Hindu scriptures for academic purposes.
Indian Response
Indian scholars also began translating English texts into regional languages. The works of Shakespeare, Milton, and Dickens were translated into Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, and other languages. This created a new readership and stimulated literary development in India.
Impact
- Knowledge Exchange: It led to cultural interaction between the East and the West.
- New Genres: Modern prose, essays, and novels emerged in Indian languages inspired by Western forms.
- Colonial Control: Some translations were biased and used to justify colonial rule, portraying Indian culture as inferior.
Conclusion
Translation during the colonial period was a powerful tool that shaped India’s intellectual and literary landscape. While it was often driven by colonial motives, it also opened doors for modern education and literary revival in Indian languages. This period laid the foundation for post-independence translation activities and the growth of bilingual and multilingual literature in India.