Translation played a significant role in colonial India and became an important instrument in shaping administration, education, literature, religion, and cultural exchange. During the colonial period, translation was not merely a linguistic activity but also a political, intellectual, and ideological process. It served the interests of the British colonial administration while simultaneously contributing to the development of modern Indian languages and literature. The history of translation in colonial India reflects the interaction between Eastern and Western knowledge systems and the emergence of new literary and cultural identities. The arrival of the British East India Company created a practical need for translation. British officials had to communicate with the local population, understand Indian laws, customs, and traditions, and administer the vast territories under their control. As a result, many Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and regional language texts were translated into English. Institutions such as Fort William College, established in 1800 in Calcutta, became important centers for translation. The college encouraged the translation of literary, historical, and religious texts into English as well as Indian languages. These translations helped British officers learn Indian languages and understand local society. Orientalist scholars such as Sir William Jones believed that Indian civilization possessed a rich literary and philosophical heritage. Jones translated Kalidasa's famous Sanskrit drama *Abhijnanasakuntalam* into English as *Shakuntala*, introducing Indian classical literature to European readers. Charles Wilkins translated the *Bhagavad Gita* into English, while H. T. Colebrooke translated several Sanskrit works related to law, philosophy, and religion. These translations created global awareness of Indian literature and philosophy and influenced European intellectual thought. At the same time, translation was also used as a colonial strategy. British administrators translated legal codes, religious texts, and historical documents to strengthen their understanding and control over Indian society. Translation often reflected