Charles Wilkins (1749-1836): Father of Indology

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Charles Wilkins was a famous British scholar and Orientalist who played an important part in instilling interest in Oriental studies in the Europe. His claim to fame rests in being the first translator of Bhagavad Gita into English. Completed in 1784, this translation is considered the first direct one of a Sanskrit work into English. 

Charles Wilkins, an employee of the East India Company, learnt Sanskrit, Bengali and helped William Jones found the Asiatic Society of Bengal on 1st January, 1784.  In 1787, Wilkins translated Hitopadesha.

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