The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c7.s14.7

c7.s14.7

The administrative genius of Ranjit Singh preserved in the Punjab during the early nineteenth century the tradition of Indian positivism. He was thus a great contemporary, junior of course, rather a distinguished successor, of the Marathas of the Deccan and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. He was already imbued with the modern spirit in so far as the translation of French and English works into Punjabi found in him a thoughtful patron. In this he was but carrying out the same principles as inspired his contemporary Rammohun (1772-1833) in Bengal who had to live under different political conditions. Among Ranjit's political achievements is to be named his resuscitation of the institutions of rural democracy.⁴⁶