Relocating Modern Science: Circulation and the Construction of Knowledge in South Asia and Europe, 1650-1900

by Kapil Raj

Relocating Modern Science challenges the belief that modern science was created uniquely in the West and was subsequently diffused elsewhere. Through a detailed analysis of key moments in the history of science, it demonstrates the crucial roles of circulation and intercultural encounter for their emergence.

Genres: History, History Of Science, Nonfiction

285 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2007

Reviews

[Floris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his 2007 contribution to the long-standing debate around the question “where did modern science come from and who made it?”, Raj argues for viewing modern science as the product of interactions between European and non-European knowledge-makers. He summarises his argument as such: instead of civilizational or diffusionist models of the global development of modern science, Raj implores us to see ‘the making of scientific knowledge through co-constructive processes of negotiation between different skilled communities and individuals from both [European and South Asian] regions, resulting as much in the emergence of new knowledge forms as in a reconfiguration of existing knowledges and specialized practices on both sides of the encounter’ [223]. The argument is a strong one. Through a number of case studies, looking at surveying, botany, and institution-building in British India, Raj shows how European and South Asian actors collaborated in their efforts to develop scientific knowledge, in South Asia and Europe alike. He shows a confident command of historiography, being very clear in identifying the gaps he intends to fill as well as drawing from a large and varied body of literature in the history of science, anthropology, and colonial history. Every case study is also supported by rich primary source materials, used in an informative and entertaining way. To be sure, Raj frames his book in global terms, but focuses mostly on British-Indian relations (with a bit of French and Dutch thrown in the mix as well). He recognises this, stating that he has focused merely on one contact zone and half a dozen case studies. Rather than an end point in the debate about where modern science came from, he seems to be encouraging scholars to take up the “co-constructive” perspective and apply it elsewhere. Having recently read James Poskett’s Horizons, clearly this perspective is still popular. But Raj’s account still sounds more convincing to me than Poskett’s, perhaps because of its limited focus and the strength of its primary materials.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raj never quite says what circulation is or how it works, which makes the topic feel a bit flat compared to other studies of postcolonial science and movement. I would probably just read The Brokered World, which has stronger overall analysis. But there are some good case studies here - William Jones, who hoped linguistics could show Sanskrit and Latin had common roots and thus Hindu pandits could be equal to British gentlemen, is just one strange and fascinating actor whose story is told here.

[DM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western science not really "western" because produced outside west in "intercultural contact zones" and dependent on intermediaries; involved reconstitution of knowledge on both sides. Key "interpersonal trust, calibration, translation, and the relationship between art and science and tools and embodied skills" 224. Great critique of any sort of "Western science spread through its superiority" and/or "Western science is an imposition" argument to instead focus on processes of circulation and negotiation, but did wonder if the text downplayed hierarchy/violence. Co-production of local and global etc.

[Milodar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt one of the most historically astute and meticulously-researched books on knowledge production and dissemination I have ever read. What Raj has done for so-called 'modern science' in South Asia needs to be done for a number of other disciplines in many more places; this work is a remarkable template. A shame that it's so hard to get a copy of!