Subsequent events Boden Professor of Sanskrit election, 1860

williams boden professor until death in 1899, although retired teaching (while retaining title) in 1887 because of health. took title inaugural lecture study of sanskrit in relation missionary work , in keeping views role of chair. thomas notes east india company had switched using english rather sanskrit or persian work, natural source of students had dried not long after boden chair inaugurated [in 1832] . williams helped establish indian institute @ oxford, proposing idea in 1875 , helping raise funds project on visits india, , persuaded university add degree course in oriental studies. publications included translations of plays , grammatical works. received knighthood in 1886, , appointed knight commander of order of indian empire in 1887, when changed surname become sir monier monier-williams.

robinson ellis required attend williams s lectures despite low opinions of new professor s abilities. williams said ellis s whole demeanour of person have welcomed earthquake or convulsion of nature have opened way him sink out of sight . overall, williams won on of had opposed election, exception of müller.

for müller, losing election decisive turning point in scholarly , intellectual life , according chaudhuri. meant müller never teach sanskrit @ oxford, although remained there until death in 1900; nor did ever visit india. disappointed not winning chair, müller regularly avoided or snubbed monier williams , family on streets of oxford , according williams. appointed chair of comparative philology in 1868, first oxford professorship established university without money royal or private donations. wrote letter of resignation in 1875 when university proposed award honorary doctorate williams, giving reason wanted spend more time studying sanskrit. friends attempted talk him out of it, , university appointed deputy professor discharge duties, honour appreciated.

the indian historian rajesh kochhar, noting east india company s support müller, commented oxford professors may have had own reasons assessment of him, company , natives both found him relevant. despite electoral defeat, enjoyed high reputation @ oxford , beyond: occupied central role in intellectual life of nation , according beckerlegge, , viewed world model of academic success (as dowling puts it). dowling considers [w]ithin own lifetime, müller discredited linguistic scientist , has little relevance later models of study of language. in beckerlegge s opinion, müller s views nature of christian missionary work showed difficulty @ time christian academics actively working promote more tolerant , even-handed study of other religious traditions .

balliol college, boden chair has been attached since university reforms in 1882

of other candidates, cowell elected first sanskrit professor @ university of cambridge in 1867, supported müller , others. griffith principal of college 1861 until 1878 (succeeding ballantyne); carried out further work in india after retirement, , died there. ballantyne resigned principal because of health problems , returned england, served librarian india office (a position wilson had held in addition professorship) until death in 1864.

the academic jeremy dibble (in biography of composer john stainer, friend of müller) has written election amply foreshadowed ensuing battle between contemporary sacred , secular forces in university, anachronism of oxford s systems of academic election , burning need reform . universities of oxford , cambridge act 1877 continued process of change imposed parliament had begun in middle of 19th century, , empowered group of commissioners lay down new statutes university , colleges. commissioners powers included ability rewrite trusts , directions attached gifts 50 years old or more. statutes governing boden chair revised commissioners in 1882; joseph boden s original proselytising purpose no longer mentioned, nor professor chosen convocation. commissioners new statutes balliol college in 1881 included provision holder of boden professorship appointed fellow of college, creating link between chair , balliol still in place. other professorships, university council makes arrangements convening board of electors, upon balliol has 2 representatives, in event of vacancy. of 2017, sanskrit professor christopher minkowski, appointed in 2005. predecessor richard gombrich has said had fight great battle in 2004 ensure professor appointed after retired, , credited victory university s realisation last chair in sanskrit left in united kingdom.

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