Prof. Usha Vijailakshmi – Stewards of Heritage: The Asiatic Society of Mumbai’s Legacy and Contemporary Role

Founded in 1804 by James Mackintosh, the Asiatic Society of Mumbai was envisioned as both a research body and a library, dedicated to advancing knowledge of the East in fields ranging from Sanskrit studies and history to geology, botany, and medicine. At a time when Bombay lacked institutions of higher learning, the Society became a hub of intellectual exchange, sustained by British administrators, Indian scholars, and local patrons. Over two centuries, it has amassed a vast collection of manuscripts, coins, inscriptions, and rare books, while also shaping public intellectual life through lectures and publications.

Yet today, the Society faces pressing challenges: financial constraints, administrative pressures, and the delicate balance of autonomy with state obligations. Despite these hurdles, it continues to catalogue, conserve, and engage the public, striving to uphold its relevance in a rapidly changing academic and cultural landscape. This talk examines the Society’s enduring significance and the formidable challenges it faces in sustaining its legacy.

Free and open to all at 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD

To join us online email: mb@royalasiaticsociety.org