Royal Asiatic Society
Encyclopedia
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (RAS) was established, according to its Royal Charter
of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society has been a forum, through lectures, its journal, and other publications, for scholarship relating to Asian culture and society of the highest level. It is the United Kingdom
's senior learned society
in the field of Asian studies. Fellows include highly accomplished and notable scholars of Asian Studies, and are entitled to use post-nominal letters FRAS
.
the following year. The RAS was established by a group primarily composed of notable scholars and colonial administrators. It was intended to be the British counterpart to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, which had been founded in 1784, by the noted Sanskrit
scholar and jurist Sir William Jones
. The leading figure in the foundation of the RAS was Henry Thomas Colebrooke
, who was himself an important Sanskrit scholar, and one time President of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta.
When the Oriental Club
of London was formed in 1824, membership of the RAS was stated as one of the four qualifications for membership of the new club.
Due to the nature of the Society's close connection with the British Empire
in the east, much of the work originating with the society has been focused on topics concerning the Indian subcontinent
. However, the purview of the Society extends far beyond India: all of Asia
and into Islam
ic North Africa
, and Ethiopia
are included. The Society does have a few limitations on its field on interest, such as recent political history and current affairs. This particular moratorium led to the founding of the Central Asian Society, which later became the Royal Society for Asian Affairs
. After World War II
, with the gradual end of British political hegemony 'east of Suez
', the Society maintained its disinterested academic focus on Asia.
Throughout its history the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland has, while only maintaining a very modestly sized membership, always contained a great deal of very distinguished individuals, from both the academic and political world. A list of the most accomplished would include such notables as Rabindranath Tagore
, Sir Aurel Stein
, Sir Wilfred Thesiger
, and George V. Tsereteli
. This membership hails from all over the globe, but primarily the United Kingdom and Asia. Fellows of the Society are elected regularly, and can use the post-nominal letters FRAS
.
(Calcutta, Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, and Bihar), Sri Lanka
, Hong Kong
(established in 1847), Japan
, Malaysia (established in 1877), and Seoul, Korea
(established in 1900). The former branch in Bombay is now known as The Asiatic Society of Bombay
. In 2008 the Shanghai branch (1857 - 1949) was re-established. It is known as the Royal Asiatic Society, North China Branch.
(JRAS) is published by Cambridge University Press
four times a year, each issue containing a number of scholarly essays, and several book reviews. The present editor of the journal is Dr Sarah Ansari of Royal Holloway, University of London
. The Executive Editor is Charlotte de Blois. The society also regularly publishes historical manuscripts, and monographs of the highest academic quality on numerous topics.
.
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society has been a forum, through lectures, its journal, and other publications, for scholarship relating to Asian culture and society of the highest level. It is the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's senior learned society
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
in the field of Asian studies. Fellows include highly accomplished and notable scholars of Asian Studies, and are entitled to use post-nominal letters FRAS
Fellows of the Royal Asiatic Society
Fellows of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland are the "great and good" people elected by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science literature and the arts in relation to Asia".The...
.
History
The Society was founded in London in 1823, and received its Royal Charter from George IVGeorge IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
the following year. The RAS was established by a group primarily composed of notable scholars and colonial administrators. It was intended to be the British counterpart to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, which had been founded in 1784, by the noted Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
scholar and jurist Sir William Jones
William Jones (philologist)
Sir William Jones was an English philologist and scholar of ancient India, particularly known for his proposition of the existence of a relationship among Indo-European languages...
. The leading figure in the foundation of the RAS was Henry Thomas Colebrooke
Henry Thomas Colebrooke
Henry Thomas Colebrooke was an English orientalist.-Biography:Henry Thomas Colebrooke, third son of Sir George Colebrooke, 2nd Baronet, was born in London. He was educated at home; and when only fifteen he had made considerable attainments in classics and mathematics...
, who was himself an important Sanskrit scholar, and one time President of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta.
When the Oriental Club
Oriental Club
The Oriental Club in London is a traditional private members' club established in 1824 that now admits both gentlemen and ladies to membership...
of London was formed in 1824, membership of the RAS was stated as one of the four qualifications for membership of the new club.
Due to the nature of the Society's close connection with the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in the east, much of the work originating with the society has been focused on topics concerning the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
. However, the purview of the Society extends far beyond India: all of Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and into Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
are included. The Society does have a few limitations on its field on interest, such as recent political history and current affairs. This particular moratorium led to the founding of the Central Asian Society, which later became the Royal Society for Asian Affairs
Royal Society for Asian Affairs
The Royal Society for Asian Affairs is a learned society based in the United Kingdom, founded in 1901 to "promote greater knowledge and understanding of Central Asia and surrounding countries". The geographical extent of the Society's interest has since expanded to include the whole of Asia...
. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, with the gradual end of British political hegemony 'east of Suez
Suez
Suez is a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez , near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal, having the same boundaries as Suez governorate. It has three harbors, Adabya, Ain Sokhna and Port Tawfiq, and extensive port facilities...
', the Society maintained its disinterested academic focus on Asia.
Throughout its history the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland has, while only maintaining a very modestly sized membership, always contained a great deal of very distinguished individuals, from both the academic and political world. A list of the most accomplished would include such notables as Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
, Sir Aurel Stein
Marc Aurel Stein
Sir Marc Aurel Stein KCIE, FBA was a Hungarian archaeologist, primarily known for his explorations and archaeological discoveries in Central Asia. He was also a professor at various Indian universities.-Early life:Stein was born in Budapest into a Jewish family...
, Sir Wilfred Thesiger
Wilfred Thesiger
Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger, CBE, DSO, FRAS, FRGS was a British explorer and travel writer born in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.-Family:...
, and George V. Tsereteli
Giorgi Tsereteli
Giorgi V. Tsereteli was a distinguished Georgian scientist and public benefactor, founder of the well-known Georgian scientific school of Oriental Studies and Arabist of world renown, founder of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Tbilisi State University , founder and first Director of the...
. This membership hails from all over the globe, but primarily the United Kingdom and Asia. Fellows of the Society are elected regularly, and can use the post-nominal letters FRAS
FRAS
FRAS may stand for:*Frame Relay Access Support *Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society*Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society*Fellow of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales*Fire Retardant Anti Static, Australian mining material safety test...
.
Branches
The Society is affiliated to associate societies in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(Calcutta, Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, and Bihar), Sri Lanka
Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka
The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. One of the oldest learned societies in Sri Lanka with a history of over 160 years. Established on the 7th February, 1845, based on lines similar to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland to further oriental...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
(established in 1847), Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Malaysia (established in 1877), and Seoul, Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
(established in 1900). The former branch in Bombay is now known as The Asiatic Society of Bombay
Asiatic Society of Bombay
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, a learned society in the field of Asian studies, is based in Mumbai, India. It can trace its origin to the Literary Society of Bombay which first met in Mumbai on November 26, 1804, and was founded by Sir James Mackintosh. It was formed with the intention of...
. In 2008 the Shanghai branch (1857 - 1949) was re-established. It is known as the Royal Asiatic Society, North China Branch.
Journal
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic SocietyJournal of the Royal Asiatic Society
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society is an academic journal which publishes articles on the history, archaeology, literature, language, religion and art of South Asia, the Middle East , Central Asia, East Asia and South-East Asia...
(JRAS) is published by Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
four times a year, each issue containing a number of scholarly essays, and several book reviews. The present editor of the journal is Dr Sarah Ansari of Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London is a constituent college of the University of London. The college has three faculties, 18 academic departments, and about 8,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 130 different countries...
. The Executive Editor is Charlotte de Blois. The society also regularly publishes historical manuscripts, and monographs of the highest academic quality on numerous topics.
Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland
This fund was initially established in 1828; and the results of its initial funding projects were soon forthcoming. The Fund became one of a large number of Victorian subscription printing clubs which published translations, re-issued historical works or commissioned original books which were too specialized for commercial publication; but unlike most of those now defunct organizations, the work of the Royal Asiatic Society Oriental Translation Fund is on-going into the 21st century with a "new series" and "old series" microform catalog available for scholarly research.President
Currently, the President of the Society is Dr Gordon Johnson, CBE, MC, TD, and the Patron is His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
.
Past presidents
- 2003–2006 Francis RobinsonFrancis RobinsonProfessor Francis Christopher Rowland Robinson is a British academic who was awarded a CBE in 2006 for his services to higher education and his research into the history of Islam....
- 2000–2003 Anthony StockwellAnthony StockwellProfessor Anthony John "Tony" Stockwell is a British academic. He is considered to be one of the UK's leading researchers into the history of British imperialism and decolonisation in Southeast Asia....
- 1997–2000 Francis RobinsonFrancis RobinsonProfessor Francis Christopher Rowland Robinson is a British academic who was awarded a CBE in 2006 for his services to higher education and his research into the history of Islam....
- 1970–1971 Basil W. Robinson
- 1967–1970 Charles Fraser Beckingham
- 1946–1949 The Earl of Scarbrough
- 1893–1921 Donald James Mackay, 11th Lord ReayDonald James Mackay, 11th Lord ReayDonald James Mackay, 11th Lord Reay KT, GCSI, GCIE, PC, DL, JP was a Dutch-born British administrator and Liberal politician.-Background:...
- 1890–1893 Thomas George Baring
- 1887–1890 Thomas Francis WadeThomas Francis WadeSir Thomas Francis Wade, GCMG, KCB , was a British diplomat and Sinologist who produced a syllabary in 1859 that was later amended, extended and converted into the Wade-Giles romanization for Mandarin Chinese by Herbert Giles in 1892...
- 1884–1887 William MuirWilliam MuirSir William Muir, KCSI was a Scottish Orientalist and colonial administrator.-Life:He was born at Glasgow and educated at Kilmarnock Academy, at Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, and at Haileybury College. In 1837 he entered the Bengal Civil Service...
- 1878–1881 Henry Creswicke Rawlinson
- 1872-1875 Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere
- 1869–1871 Henry Creswicke Rawlinson
- 1864–1867 Sir Thomas Edward ColebrookeSir Thomas Colebrooke, 4th BaronetSir Thomas Edward Colebrooke, 4th Baronet was a British politician.He was the son of Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Elizabeth Colebrooke...
- 1858 William Henry SykesWilliam Henry SykesColonel William Henry Sykes, FRS was an Indian Army officer, politician and ornithologist.Sykes was born near Bradford in Yorkshire, and joined the Bombay Army, a part of the armed forces of the Honourable East India Company, in 1804, returning to Britain in 1837...
- 1855–1858 Horace Hayman WilsonHorace Hayman WilsonHorace Hayman Wilson was an English orientalist.He studied medicine at St Thomas's Hospital, and went out to India in 1808 as assistant-surgeon on the Bengal establishment of the British East India Company....
- 1849–1852 Lord EllesmereFrancis Egerton, 1st Earl of EllesmereFrancis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere KG, PC , known as Lord Francis Leveson-Gower until 1833, was a British politician, writer, traveller and patron of the arts...
- 1841–1842 George Augustus Frederick FitzclarenceGeorge FitzClarence, 1st Earl of MunsterGeorge Augustus Frederick FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster PC , was the eldest natural son of William IV of the United Kingdom and his long-time mistress Dorothy Jordan....
- 1823–1841 Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn
See also
- Fellows of the Royal Asiatic SocietyFellows of the Royal Asiatic SocietyFellows of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland are the "great and good" people elected by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science literature and the arts in relation to Asia".The...
- Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic SocietyJournal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic SocietyThe Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society is a scholarly journal published by the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society or MBRAS. The journal covers topics of historical interest concerning peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Singapore...
- Royal Asiatic Society of Sri LankaRoyal Asiatic Society of Sri LankaThe Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. One of the oldest learned societies in Sri Lanka with a history of over 160 years. Established on the 7th February, 1845, based on lines similar to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland to further oriental...
Some Society publications
- "Charter of Incorporation of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland." Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. pp 25-27, 1957.
- Beckingham, C.F. Centenary Volume of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823-1923. Pargiter, F.E. (ed.) Published by the Society, 1923, London.
- Mashita, Hiroyuki. Theology, Ethics and Metaphysics: Royal Asiatic Society Classics of Islam. Routledge Publishing, 2003.
- Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. B. W. Robinson. Persian Paintings in the Collection of the Royal Asiatic Society Routledge, 1998.
- Rost, Reinhold. "Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Indo-China and the Indian Archipelago" Reprinted for the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, from the "Journals" of the Royal Asiatic, Bengal Asiatic, and Royal Geographical Societies; the "Transactions" and "Journal" of the Asiatic Society of Batavia ... Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Malayan Branch Published by Trübner & co., 1887.
- Tritton, Arthur Stanley. Muslim Theology... Royal Asiatic Society by Luzac, 1947.
- Winternitz, Moriz (compiled), Frederick William Thomas (appendix). A Catalogue of South Indian Sanskrit Manuscripts: Especially Those of the Whish Collection Belonging to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Library. Whish Collection, 1902.
External links
- Royal Asiatic Society website
- Charter of Incorporation of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
- Hong Kong branch
- Malaysian branch
- South Korean branch
- Shanghai branch
- Sri Lanka branch