Historians note a shift from Eurocentric conceptualizations of science during the late nineteenth century. Spurred by a burgeoning print culture and widespread dissemination of news regarding scientific discoveries, "science" as a term began to be applied throughout various cultures as a means of describing rigorous systems of knowledge production. Civilization-specific alternatives, such as "Indian science" or "Islamic science," arose to challenge the supremacy of "European" science. Applying the term enabled marginalized populations under colonial rule to honor their culture's achievements, validate their texts and practices, and claim authority as accomplished civilizations.