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The first edifice which stands on the left of Park Street is
'The Asiatic Society'. Sir William Jones, the Chief Justice of Supreme Court,
had founded this in 1784. Hastings was its chief patron.
The primary objective of 'The Asiatic Society' is to spread eastern education. In
the first journal released by the society, its aims and objectives are candidly mentioned. It states that the entire research encompassing man, topographical features and anything within the geographical
periphery of Asia, would come under its scope and purview of knowledge.
During the life-time of Sir James, the sessions of the Society used to be held in the Supreme Court. Sir Jones had expired in 1794. By then, the activities and researches of
'The Asiatic Society' had catapulted to a great extent. An urgent need was felt for a personal building
on its own land. In 1796, the Society made a petition for the acquisition of land. But it did not evoke any response from the Government. So long the members of the Society did not have to pay any subscription. Now a new rule was framed to this effect. Accordingly, a man had to pay two
'mohurs' or gold coins during admission and pay a quarterly subscription of one mohur or gold coin. The aim was to collect a fund for the construction of its own
building.
In July 1804, the Society submitted another petition to the Government for the acquisition of the land at the
confluence of Part Street and
Chowringhee. This was granted by the government which gave the green signal in 1805. The Government allotted the entire plot for
'The Asiatic Society' save a small portion aside which was to be utilized for accommodating police station and fire brigade.
Henceforth, started the leviathan task of constructing the building. The first blueprint was made by Captain Locke. But Jean Jacque
Pissaun, a French engineer was devolved with the onus of constructing the edifice. He
made slight changes in the blueprint of Capt. Locke, and
constructed the building. The expenditure incurred for this purpose was
Rs. 30,000. The task was rounded off in 1808.
However, this building has been modified and extended several times later on. At the inception,
the ground floor comprised nine rooms whereas the first floor comprised five rooms. In 1839, more rooms were appended at the cost of ten thousand rupees. A new Bhawan or building was made after independence.
Then onwards, the study and culture of different subjects are
going on unabated. Herein started the root of the 'Indian Museum' and The Theological Survey of India. In 1823,
'The Calcutta Medical & Physical Society' was established here.
At the inception, 'The Asiatic Society' was termed as 'The Asiatic Researches' in its journals. Twenty volumes of this journal came out
between 1788 to 1920. William Jones, Charles Wilkins, Nathaniel Trassi
Halhead. Henry Thomas Colbrook, John Herbert Harrington, William Carrey and other notable scholars used to write essays on diverse subjects in this journal. Apart from this,
a medical journal was also published. Later on, James Phillip, an archaeologist became the editor of this journal. He renamed it as the
'Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal'.
Many eminent Bengalis have been associated with this journal at different times. Prominent among them
are Rajendra Lal Mitra, Haraprasad
Shastri etc.
The 'Society' has a huge collection of books and manuscripts. Earlier, the collection included scientific and archaeological materials
which were later shifted to the Museum and elsewhere. At present, the collection comprises several books and manuscripts on various Asian languages. The invaluable collection of Arabian and Persian Texts of Tipu Sultan have been brought here from the Fort William.
After this the 'Society' started its own publication department.
At present, the Society possesses many remarkable paintings and effigys. The prominent paintings among these are Givo's
'The death of Cleopatra', Moorland's 'The farmer's household' and Renauld's
'The Cupid'.
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