ABSTRACT

By Keywords:Victor Jacquemont. Botanical science, colonial milieu, prejudice, Kashmirfollowing an inter-disciplinary approach, the paper examines the often ignored nexus between science and empire by analysing botanical explorations of Victor Jacquemont (1801-1832), a French botanist. Jacquemont’s work as a botanist has been acknowledged without paying much attention to the other services he render for colonial empire. As an essential exponent of plant science his description of Kashmir is an area he explores on behalf of English Empire. The aim of the paper is to locate the colonial nature of victor Jacquemont’s description of Kashmir. For, as a botanist he was more than being a mere voice of science.  Largely being influenced by colonial milieu, white man’s burden theory, utilitarian philosophy and European identity, racial prejudice, his scientific services were less in comparison to emphasising Kashmir’s colonial occupation.