An Example of the Connection Between Imperialist Politics and Orientalist Studies: British Orientalism

The British Empire pursued imperialist and colonialist policies in the Middle East, America, Asia, Australia and Africa for many years. Political, military, religious, commercial and scientific organisations were tasked with maintaining the dominance of the Empire and British Crown on these continents. An overarching goal of these organisations was to protect, develop and glorify the imperialist policies of their states in these regions. Institutions often acted collaboratively in pursuit of this goal, at times undertaking initiatives in support of each other. In this context, orientalists were sent by these organisations to Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East to conduct research. Orientalists carried out studies on the history, archaeology, geology, botany and geography of the regions they visited. Under the pretext of science(!), they also served the political and military interests of their countries. This article analyses the contribution of British imperialist policy to orientalist institutions and studies and the ways in which British orientalists supported their country’s imperialist policy through their research.