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The eye was particularly important for museums in India, as most Indians could not read. Often captions on objects could not be read, especially those in English. The eye became an instrument of education. The museums provided a substitute for a book An observing eye could stand for a reading eye.
However some historians discard this view. Daji believed seeing was a poor surrogate for reading. Many people were critical of this method of learning by observing however it seemed the only way forward when dealing with the indigenous Indians.
It seemed that science in at least its natural form was beginning to spread in India through museums and public exhibitions. However one man believed that Science could be expressed through magic. Superstition and magic has always been a trait in the Hindu culture. Dr James Esdale set up a Mesmerise Hospital in Calcutta as an experiment in 1846. He believed he could dazzle the Hindu superstition into understanding. The Mesmeric Hospital was commonly known as Jadoo Hospital meaning magic hospital. Dr Esdale was first sceptical of the utility of public exhibition, as it would affect the point of mesmerism. However Mesmerism emerged as a Science. It lay between the cold scientific inquiry and the absurd wildest superstitions. If anything the mesmerism aroused curiosity and wonders and enhanced the importance of visualising for Indians. It seemed that West was beginning to confront the complexities of endorsing Western Science into colonial India however their task was far from complete. The colonial conditions in India turned the staging of science into wondrous spectacle. .
Vidyabhushan highlights the idea that the understanding of nature required the simplicity and purity of a child's mind. Hindus will understand science as they are simple minded and will quickly learn the new ideas and methods. However Western Science faced another hurdle with the ignorance of peasants and lower caste people.