Books Quote by Aatish Taseer
““To what shall I compare my literary pursuits in India? Suppose Greek literature to be known in modern Greece only, and there to be in the hands of priests and philosophers; and suppose them to be still worshippers of Jupiter and Apollo; suppose Greece to have been conquered successively by Goths, Huns, Vandals, Tartars, and lastly by the English; then suppose a court of judicature to be established by the British parliament, at Athens, and an inquisitive Englishman to be one of the judges; suppose him to learn Greek there, which none of his countrymen knew, and to read Homer, Pindar, Plato, which no other Europeans had even heard of. Such am I in this country: substituting Sanscrit for Greek, the Brahmans, for the priests of Jupiter, and Vālmic, Vyāsa, Cālīdāsa, for Homer, Plato, Pindar. William Jones””
About This Quote
Source Essay or literary criticism, likely academic
The author likens Indian literary pursuits to Greek ones, pointing out cultural substitution and the loss of authentic tradition when foreign influences dominate.
In simple terms: Indian literature mirrors Greek but replaces originals.
Key Takeaway
Preserve authentic cultural traditions.
Themes
cultural exchange
literary criticism
identity
colonial influence
authenticity
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analysis
essay
When to use this quote
- academic study
- curriculum design
- public discourse
Key Concepts
postcolonial theory
comparative literature
cultural preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does substitution affect cultural identity?
- What can protect authentic literature?
A Different Perspective
Comparison may oversimplify complexities.
