Indian Institute

The Indian Institute, established in 1883 at the University of Oxford by Sir Monier Monier-Williams, served as a center for training in the Indian Civil Service during the British Raj. Located in a distinctive English Renaissance building designed by Basil Champneys, the Institute housed a library specializing in South Asian history and culture, and a museum that showcased artifacts from India. Although the museum's collections were eventually dispersed, the library remains a vital resource for researchers. The Institute was controversially closed in 1968, leading to protests from the Indian government and accusations of racism against the university. Today, the original building is home to the Oxford Martin School, continuing the legacy of academic pursuit related to India.