Robert Lingat
Encyclopedia
Robert Lingat was a French
professor
and academic scholar most known for writing a very important book on the history of Indian Law.
in 1892 and though not much is known of his personal life it is established that he received his doctorate in Law in Paris in 1919. He moved to work in Bangkok
as a legal adviser between 1924-1940 where he became involved in the growing debate regarding the origin of the Indian legal system. He worked at several universities in the former French colonies
where he among other things was named Professor in the faculty of Law in Indo-China in 1941 -- including inter alia Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
, where he taught in French
with translators rendering his instructions into Thai
-- a post which he held until 1955. In 1961 he left his post at a university in Cambodia
to return to France. Until shortly before his death he taught at the Center for Indian Studies at the University of Paris
. He died on May 7, 1972, one year before the first English translation of his works was published which catapulted his name into international fame in the scientific community.
but is at the same time very innovative in its approach. He also used Professor Ram Sharan Sharma
's works to have an idea on ancient India. It was originally published in French in 1967 and translated to English by J. Duncan M. Derrett in 1973. It has since become the standard textbook those who wish to learn about the history of the Indian legal system. The reason for his central standing in the field of study regarding the history of the Indian legal system stems from the fact that his works shrink the enormous volume of Indian literature into one fairly short book unlike P.V Kane who published his findings in an incredibly dense and long series of books.
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and academic scholar most known for writing a very important book on the history of Indian Law.
Life
Lingat was born in CharlevilleCharleville-Mézières
Charleville-Mézières is a commune in northern France, capital of the Ardennes department in the Champagne-Ardenne region. Charleville-Mézières is located on the banks of the Meuse River.-History:...
in 1892 and though not much is known of his personal life it is established that he received his doctorate in Law in Paris in 1919. He moved to work in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
as a legal adviser between 1924-1940 where he became involved in the growing debate regarding the origin of the Indian legal system. He worked at several universities in the former French colonies
French Colonies
"French Colonies" is the name used by philatelists to refer to the postage stamps issued by France for use in the parts of the French colonial empire that did not have stamps of their own...
where he among other things was named Professor in the faculty of Law in Indo-China in 1941 -- including inter alia Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
The Faculty of Law, Thammasat University is a public agency of the Thai Government, being an academic faculty attached to Thammasat University, Ministry of Education. It is the second oldest university faculty in the country, preceded only by the Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University...
, where he taught in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
with translators rendering his instructions into Thai
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
-- a post which he held until 1955. In 1961 he left his post at a university in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
to return to France. Until shortly before his death he taught at the Center for Indian Studies at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. He died on May 7, 1972, one year before the first English translation of his works was published which catapulted his name into international fame in the scientific community.
Work
Lingat is most known for his book The Classical Law of India in which he details the origin of the Indian legal system. The book draws heavily on the work of P. V. Kane and Max MüllerMax Müller
Friedrich Max Müller , more regularly known as Max Müller, was a German philologist and Orientalist, one of the founders of the western academic field of Indian studies and the discipline of comparative religion...
but is at the same time very innovative in its approach. He also used Professor Ram Sharan Sharma
Ram Sharan Sharma
Ram Sharan Sharma was an eminent historian of Ancient and early Medieval India. He had taught at Patna University, Delhi University and the University of Toronto and was a senior fellow at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; University Grants Commission National Fellow...
's works to have an idea on ancient India. It was originally published in French in 1967 and translated to English by J. Duncan M. Derrett in 1973. It has since become the standard textbook those who wish to learn about the history of the Indian legal system. The reason for his central standing in the field of study regarding the history of the Indian legal system stems from the fact that his works shrink the enormous volume of Indian literature into one fairly short book unlike P.V Kane who published his findings in an incredibly dense and long series of books.