A Grammar of the Bengal Language. Nathaniel Brassey Halhead. Published: 1778. Printed in Hoogly, A Grammar of the Bengal Language constitutes one the first grammar book of the Bengali language. The book was written at the request of Governor Warren Hastings by Nathaniel Halhed (25 May 1751 – 18 February 1830), a philologist and Orientalist. The book marked the beginning of the standardisation of Indian languages. Halhed recommended in the book that foreign accretions be removed from Bengali and ‘Sanskrit be made the fountainhead for any needed innovations.’ One of the primary aims in producing this work was to promote familiarity with the Bengali language among the European settlers in Bengal, to assist in their subjugation over the native population. Furthermore, the publication represents the first successful reproduction of the Bengali language in metal type. In the work, Halhead discusses the challenges of reproducing the Bengali type in metal font for printing, and particularly the work of Charles Wilkins, whose endeavours produced the first Bengali typeface that was used for Halhead’s Grammar. A very important work. Particularly as it paved the way for mass production of Bengali Books printed by moveable metal types.
A Grammar of the Bengal Language
