Correct option is C
The correct chronological order of the institutions is D, C, A, B.
Introduction
The 19th century was a period of significant intellectual and social ferment in Bombay, as elite, English-educated Indians and British officials established various civil society organizations. These institutions played a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge, the promotion of scientific inquiry, and the formation of a public sphere. Their establishment reflects the growth of a modern, cosmopolitan intellectual class in the city.
Information Booster
The correct sequence is based on the founding dates of each society:
D. Literary Society of Bombay (1804): Founded by Sir James Mackintosh, this was the earliest of these institutions. Its purpose was to "promote useful knowledge, particularly such as is now immediately connected with India." This society served as the intellectual hub for scholars interested in Oriental arts, sciences, and literature.
C. Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1826/1829): The Literary Society of Bombay later merged with the London-based Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. While the affiliation began in 1826, it was formally known as the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (BBRAS) from 1829/1830. This affiliation gave the society a wider, more international network.
A. Geographical Society of Bombay (1831): Established to encourage geographical research in western Asia and surrounding regions, this society was founded in 1831. It published journals and contributed significantly to the mapping and exploration of the region. This society later merged with the BBRAS in 1873.
B. Anthropological Society of Bombay (1886): Founded much later in the 19th century, this society was established to promote the study of anthropology, focusing on the diverse communities and cultures across the Indian subcontinent. It held monthly meetings and published a journal, contributing to the field of ethnology and social research in India.
Therefore, the chronological order is: Literary Society of Bombay (1804) → Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (1829) → Geographical Society of Bombay (1831) → Anthropological Society of Bombay (1886).
Additional Knowledge
The formation of these societies was part of a broader trend during the British colonial period where intellectual and scientific inquiry was formalized through institutions. These organizations, while often initiated by British officials and scholars, also became important spaces for Indian intellectuals to engage in modern academic discourse. They not only preserved ancient texts and knowledge but also introduced modern scientific methods and subjects. The eventual merger of the Geographical and Anthropological societies into the Asiatic Society of Bombay (the successor to the BBRAS) highlights a consolidation of these fields of study under one major intellectual umbrella, which continues to function as the Asiatic Society of Mumbai today.
English
10 Questions
20 Marks
12 Mins
