This book delves deep into the Social Construction of Theory, comparative epistemology and intellectual history to stress the interrelationship between diverse cultures during the colonial period and bring forth convincing evidence of how the 19th century was shaped. It approaches an interesting relation between the linguistic studies of 19th century’s scientific world and subsequent widespread acceptance of the empirically weak theory of the Aryan invasion. To show entangled history in a globalized world, the book draws on the Aryan Invasion Theory to highlight how different socio-religious parties commonly shape a new theory. It also explores how research is affected by the so-called social construction of theory and comparative epistemology, and deals with scholarly advancement and its relation with contemporary socio-political demands. The most significant conclusion of the book is that academic studies are prone to comparative epistemology, even under the strict scrutiny of the so-called scientific methods.
1 Introduction.- 2 Max Müllers Beginning of Modern Religious Study and
the Silent Formulation of Aryan Invasion Theory.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2
Curiosity to Common Past: The Study of Ancient Indian Literature in Europe.-
2.3 Emergence of Max Müller in European Scientific Scene.- 2.4 Max Müllers
First Synthesis: Science Of Language.- 2.5 Max Müllers Second Synthesis:
Science or Religion.- 2.6 Max Müllers Silent Formulation of Aryan Invasion
Theory.- 2.7 Conclusion.- 3 Brahmo Samaj as an Actor in the Dissemination of
Aryan Invasion Theory In India.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 A Short Overview of
Brahmo Samaj.- 3.3 The Coagulation of Brahmo Samaj: From Conflict To
Collaboration With Christian Missionaries.- 3.4 Keshubs New Synthesis:
Making Brahmo Samaj Really Universal.- 3.5 Aryan Invasion Theory and its
Contradiction With Christianity.- 3.6 Using the Tools of British Empire: The
Politicization of Brahmo Samaj.- 3.7 Summary.- 4 The Role of Christian
Missionaries Towards Formulation andSpreading of Aryan Invasion Theory in
India.- 4.1 Christianity in 19th Century Europe.- 4.2 Oxford Movement.- 4.3
Colonial Missions.- 4.4 History of Christian Missions In India.- 4.5
Missionary Interest in India: Methods and Outcome.- 4.6 Initial Setback of
Missions: Insurmountable Obstacles.- 4.7 Interaction With Indian Social
Reformers.- 4.8 Intellectual Conflict Between Missionaries and Social
Reformers.- 4.9 Educational Reform Movement: A New Strategy.- 4.10
Christianity and Colonialism in India.- 4.11 Discovery of Aryan Invasion
Theory.- 4.12 Müllers Role in Linguistic Studies: Colonial Ties.- 4.13
Reactions of Christian Missionary Groups to Aryan Myth.- 4.14 Aryan Invasion
Theory and the Role of Christian Missions In India.- 4.15 Vedantist Movement
in Calcutta After Rammohun.- 4.16 Reactions of Social Reformers: Dayanand
Saraswati, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Jyotirao.- 4.17 Divide and Rule.- 4.18
Adoption By Christian Missionaries: A New Method.- 4.19 Müllers
Communications With Social Reformers in India and the Propagation of Aryan
Invasion Theory.- 4.20 Conclusion.- 5 Summary.- 5.1 Extending the Research on
Max Müller 179.- 5.2 Future Directions.
Dr. phil Chattopadhyay Banerjee has completed her doctoral studies from RWTH Aachen University, Germany. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Calcutta University, India and has a Master of Arts with specialisation in Modern History from Rabindra Bharati University, India. Her research interests are broadly in the domains of South-Asian History, Indo-European Socio Religious-Cultural Exchange, Linguistics research and History of Technology in the 19th century. She has given several keynote speeches and invited seminars in these areas. She was affiliated as a Research Fellow in the Wee Kim Wee Centre, Singapore Management University, where she studied the topic of A Historical Study into the Emergence of Creativity during Cultural Conflict and Integration. Presently she is pursuing her Postdoctoral research at Nanyang Business School, Singapore, studying the growth of German Economy and their Business Cultural in comparison with Japan.
