India studies explores the languages, cultures and societies of the Indian subcontinent from its beginnings until the present day. A substantial portion of the research is based on the philological analysis of original sources in different Indian languages and their examination through cultural studies questions and methods; it is also based on data collection using qualitative and quantitative social sciences methods. South Asian material cultures, which show up in art, architecture and archaeology, also play an important role here. Correspondingly, the study programmes offered in India studies lay particular emphasis on language acquisition and providing a solid grounding in history, society, art, archaeology, literature, philosophy, religion, politics and economy. The methods used in India studies include methods used in text philology, hermeneutics and cultural studies, as well as the quantitative and qualitative methods used in social sciences.
In terms of languages, the focus is mostly on Sanskrit, Pali, Hindi and Urdu. Sanskrit enables the study and exploration of Ancient Indian sources (the oldest sources date from c. 1200 B.C.) and the Middle Ages, as well as the literature, history, religion and philosophy of this time. Knowledge of a Middle Indic language (e.g. Pali) widens the range of texts, for example in the area of Buddhist and Jain literature. Hindi and Urdu are among the most important modern South Asian languages and open up the possibility of studying modern South Asian literature, as well as current historical, societal and intellectual developments. Knowledge of a modern Indian language also serves as a basis for social science research into current political, social and economic developments. Both universities in Switzerland that offer degree programmes in India studies, Lausanne and Zurich, offer courses in various languages. These enable direct and comprehensive access to expressions of Indian culture in different periods of history, as well as to current political and social processes. Knowledge of language, culture and society can be deepened through a period studying at Indian universities or through study trips.
The focus of cultural studies research within India studies research focuses on the following areas: history and the modern day on the Indian subcontinent, history of Indian religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam in India) in the past and present, philological analysis of historical sources on culture and society, Indian literature and philosophies. Social science research of modern India focuses on politics and democratisation processes, development policy and social structures in urban and rural areas. As India studies was established as a subject at the beginning of the 19th Century, its history is closely tied to the relationships between India and Europe, which were shaped by colonialism and modernisation processes. As such, research into the history of these ties plays an important role in India studies. This demonstrates that India studies, as a subject that deals with extra-European culture, invites consideration of one’s “own” cultural contexts and societal issues. Considering problems and opportunities inherent to interculturality also plays an important role.
India studies provides deep and multi-level research of another cultural and social context making use of sources in the original language. As such, it may be differentiated from disciplines that include some aspects of Indian culture and society in study programmes (e.g. politics or sociology) or primarily considers them as a point of comparison (e.g. religious studies or comparative literary studies). Students of India studies develop a greater level of expertise, which qualifies them for various careers in addition to a career in research (librarianship, media, cultural management, etc.)
Studying India Studies in Switzerland
At the Zurich Centre of India Studies:
- Language training in Sanskrit, Pali and Hindi
- Analysis of the literature, religions and philosophies of India in the past and present and their historical and social contexts.
- Politics, business and social change in modern India
- Trade-offs between India and Europe in modernity
- Methods and history of India studies research
University of Zurich
- Study
The study of Indology at the University of Lausanne is based on three fundamental axes:
Language acquisition and methods of philological-historical work (languages: Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Pali)
Historical-cultural contextualization of the literatures, religions and philosophies of South Asia
Transcultural perspectives on the history of South Asia
In the MA program, it is possible to concentrate on the following key areas:
History and literatures of pre-modern and modern India
History and literatures of the Islamic cultures of South Asia
History and literatures of Indian Buddhism