The empire of custom: Indian&Central Asia in 18th&19th century french language literatures

Abstract

My thesis in this paper is that Orientalism in South and Central Asia is not and has not been a strictly homogeneous phenomenon: instead it has reflected different Western ideas and perceptions on these areas, some which display an acute understanding of the area, and some less so, although certain trends have dominated, resulting in a complex exchange of ideas, one that continues in the 21st century.