author
J. Murray (John Murray) Mitchell
1815–1904
A Scottish missionary and orientalist, he spent decades in western India and later wrote vivid books that introduced Indian religions and society to English-speaking readers. His work blends firsthand experience, language study, and a lifelong interest in cross-cultural understanding.
1 Audiobook
Two old faiths : essays on the religions of the Hindus and the Mohammedans
by J. Murray (John Murray) Mitchell, Sir William Muir
About the author
Born on 19 August 1815, he was educated in Aberdeen and ordained in the Church of Scotland before leaving for Bombay in 1838. Much of his working life was spent in western India, especially in education and missionary service, and he became known not only as a preacher but also as a careful student of Indian languages and religions.
Mitchell wrote on Hinduism, Islam, and missionary life, drawing on years of direct experience. Among his best-known books are In Western India: Recollections of My Early Missionary Life and The Great Religions of India, works that helped many readers in Britain understand the beliefs and daily life he had encountered abroad.
Later in life he also worked in France and remained active as a writer and lecturer. He died on 14 November 1904, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both the missionary outlook of his era and a serious, sustained engagement with Indian culture and religious thought.