Edward Moor

A series of 25 monographs on the Founders, Promoters and Guardians of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. The series expects to prepare meticulously researched monographs based on the primary and fresh source material preserved by the Society, along with that available elsewhere, highlighting the significant contribution to various fields, of scholars associated with the Society.

This monograph on EDWARD MOOR focuses on the India connection of the remarkable British official, Edward Moor. He belonged to the early group of Indologists who saw India in an unbiased manner. His views on India are to be found in four works on which this monograph is based.

Moor, a participant in the British detachment which accompanied the Maratha army in its campaign against Tipu Sultan from 1790 to 1792, has not only described the campaign but has left a delightful account of what he saw en route to Srirangapatna and back to Bombay in A Narrative of the Operations of Captain Little’s Detachment and of the Mahratta Army Commanded by Purseram Bhow. Moor’s comments on India and various aspects of contemporary Indian social life, which he described in his works, Oriental Fragments and Hindu Infanticide, are examined. Moor is best known for The Hindu Pantheon.

His collection of pictures and engravings of Hindu deities formed the nucleus of this work which aimed to introduce Hinduism to an English readership. This monograph attempts to bring to light the refreshing perspective of this earnest British Indophile, who reveals curiosity, wit and candour, and who, more often than not, had an unprejudiced view of India.