Introduction: The Royal Asiatic Societies and Nineteenth Century Science

In this introduction to the theme issue, the co-editors examine the previous scholarship on the Royal Asiatic Societies founded in the late eighteenth century and throughout the nineteenth century. They discuss the conception of imperial academic networks as it applies to the Royal Asiatic Societies and the role of science in rationalising empire. After providing an overview of each article in the issue, they discuss the most significant conclusions arising out of treating the Royal Asiatic Societies as forming an imperial network sharing a commitment to Orientalism.