UPSC Prelims 2001 Q17: Art & Culture – Literature & Languages
Who amongst the following Englishmen first translated the Bhagavad - Gita into English?
- (a) William Jones
- (b) Charles Wilkins
- (c) Alexander Cunningham
- (d) John Marshall
Answer: (b) Charles Wilkins
Explanation
First English translation of the Bhagavad Gita
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Charles Wilkins | First English translation of the Bhagavad Gita (1785), encouraged by Warren Hastings |
| William Jones | Founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784); translated Abhijnanashakuntalam |
| Alexander Cunningham | First Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (1861) |
| John Marshall | ASI Director-General during the Harappan excavations (1920s) |
Charles Wilkins, an East India Company official, published 'The Bhagvat-Geeta, or Dialogues of Kreeshna and Arjoon' in 1785. Warren Hastings wrote its preface.
Answer: (b) Charles Wilkins.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. William Jones translated Shakuntala and Manusmriti, not the Gita first.
- (b) CORRECT. Charles Wilkins translated the Gita into English in 1785.
- (c) Incorrect. Cunningham was an archaeologist, not a translator of the Gita.
- (d) Incorrect. John Marshall is linked to the Harappan excavations.
Key point
Orientalists: Wilkins — Gita (1785); Jones — Asiatic Society (1784), Shakuntala (1789); Max Müller — Sacred Books of the East.
Remember
First English Gita = Charles Wilkins, 1785.
Common mistakes
- Choosing William Jones, the best-known Orientalist.
- Mixing archaeologists with Sanskrit translators.
- Not linking Wilkins to Warren Hastings.
Exam tip
Hastings era (1780s): Wilkins (Gita), Jones (Asiatic Society).
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part II/III, chapter on colonial knowledge of India
- Charles Wilkins — The Bhagvat-Geeta (London, 1785), preface by Warren Hastings