George IV’s copy of the earliest Sanskrit Grammar in the English language.

Charles Wilkins was one of the first Englishmen to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of Sanskrit, which he studied under Hindu scholars in Benares (Varanasi). He is best known for publishing the first English translation of the Bhagavad Gita in 1785 (RCIN 1051342). In 1801 Wilkins was appointed Librarian to the East India Company and wrote this book for students studying at the Company’s colleges. George IV bestowed on him the badge of the Royal Guelphic Order in recognition of the publication and in 1833 the king awarded him a knighthood.