Orientalism and Bengal Studies

The meaning and concept of the term orientalism, has changes through periods of time. The term, Orientalism appeared since the Mediterranean Sea considered the center of the world in recent centuries, and the geographical directions were determined based on it; also the researches who were studying on the Orient were called orientalist. Considering the fact that mostly Muslims were settling on the major east parts of Mediterranean Sea, the researchers who were studying on them were also called orientalist. There have been numerous discussions on the goals of western researchers, who were studying on the Orient, and many reasons were mentioned so far. After a quick analysis, we can conclude some of their assertions are true. The present paper is written in two complimentary parts. The first part is including generalities on orientalism and the second part is about Bengal studies in different eras. Bengal is an ancient and historical land which Muslims conquered at the end of the 6th century (A.H). The Turks, Mongols and Britain were also ruling over Bengal through history. Bengal studies and introducing this land began in the 3rd century (A.H) by a well-known writer, Suleiman the Merchant followed by Abū Rayḥān al-Biruni, khordadbeh,Masudi and Edrisi. These studies continued by Marco Polo in the 7th century (A.H) and Ibn Battuta in the 8th century. Afterwards, Muslim historians and geographers made a great effort in introducing the culture, history and civilization of Bengal. Bengal studies began among Chinese in the 15th century. But the western researchers began their studies on Bengal in the 16th century. The Britain totally dominated India in the middle of the 18th century, and in order to proceed with their orientalist goals, they establish Fort William College in Calcutta. Eventually their plans failed by missionary groups, because it led to awakening of Bengal intellectuals. In the last decades of colonial rule of Britain in India, Bengal studies extended by Bengali people themselves, and it led to establishment of department, associations and institutes in universities and publishing books and journals. Meanwhile prominent Bengal figures made a great effort to give profundity and acceleration to these studies. Currently Bengal Studies continued in personal and academic researches in different universities around the world.