English language with its great literary heritage is no longer a language of a particular country but is a global Lingua Franca-a world language. It is spoken by more than half of the population of the world. No other language is used today by so many people in the world where over 2000 languages are still in current. English language, therefore, has left other languages far behind in expansion and growth.
English language & literature has greatly enriched Indian literature. In India, English has been exercising tremendous influences in every walk of life. India needs English because it has so far no language which is fully acceptable in all the states. It is now admitted by all the Indian leaders and educationists that English is as much as our ‘National Language’ as Hindi.
The English language has dominated the world today. The principal reason for its success is its ability of borrowing and assimilating words from other languages of the world. It is a well known fact that many words in English are originated from Greek, Roman, French and Latin language. But a few people know that there are a number of Indian words which have been used in English literature by many great writers. These words are used with new slants and shades. In fact, English men of letters have been making use of Indian words to lend a distinct character and flavour to their language. Even, stalwarts of the mighty language like Chaucer, Marlowe and Shakespeare were very inspired by some Indian words during their time.
Famous British travelers like William Hawkins, Sir Thomas Roe, John Fryer and Alexander Hamilton have contributed much in the absorption of Indian words into English. Most of the travellers visited India during Mughal rule. After returning to their country they referred the splendour of the Great Mughals and made use of Indian words like Hindu, Maharaja, Raja, Rani, Peshwa, pandit, pucca etc. Eminent writer Milton gives a pleasant surprise by using many Indian places like Deccan, Malabar, Agra, Lahore, Ganges, Indus in his writings. Some other Indian words used in English literature are Lamb’s banianday, Jane Austen’s mohur, Thomas Moore’s amrita and vina, Shelley’s champak, Carlyle’s jungle and thug, Lytton’s vakeel, Charles Dickens’s divan, fakir, loot and verandah.
Indian words have been continuing to get their place in English literature even now in the 21st century. Some Indian words like sikhar, kokil, bulbul, sal, peepal, neem, mahua are now used in English. The Indian spiritual words which have now become commonly used English words are moha, maya, karma, yoga, bhakti, vedanta, mukti etc. Socio-cultural and political words like shikar, goonda, bhagaband, danga, izzat, utsav, nurtya, ahimsa, Swaraj, Swadeshi, Satyagraha are current used.