Indological Discourse and the Indian Knowledge System

Abstract

History is always subject to contextual interpretations; these interpretations have served the purpose of constructing knowledge, as well as political tools to suit political interests. The ‘pure history or ‘less-corrupt knowledge of history’ is rare for true knowledge seekers. The case of the discovery of true knowledge about India is also subject to such a typical tendency of historiography. Indology in the 18^th Century emerged as a quest to understand India through the lens of the West at its inception. However, it underwent phases of development from the 19^th to the 20^th century, coinciding with the emergence of Nationalist ideologies. This paper attempts to explore the development of Indological discourse and unfold the various chapters of the Indian Knowledge System. Methodologically, the paper is limited to a historical and analytical enquiry, adopting the normative–factual tools that are somewhat limited in the discipline.