Science and the Raj

Abstract

This book focuses on the development of colonial science in British India, together with its social and economic implications. It analyses the nature and working of the relationship between techno-scientific imperatives and colonial requirements by looking at the close link between science and the Raj. The term ‘colonial science’ expresses the entire gamut of the relationship between science and colonization, and aptly sums up the state of science as well as its limitations, triumphs, and failures in a colony. In some ways, colonial science represented an advance over pre-colonial science. This book reviews the views of several scholars about pre-colonial science and technology, the imperatives determining colonial science, and explores science education in colonial India. It also considers early exploratory activities, scientific research works, problems in science administration, and how India responded to these issues. The term ‘science’ in this book refers more to the physical and biological sciences, also known collectively as ‘natural history’. In addition, it is used in relation to individuals, groups, institutions (both official and non-official), application, etc.