Indienforschung im Wandel

Abstract Whereas Indian studies in Germany were largely based on the evaluation of early texts, inscriptions and other documents until quite recently, the question of continuity and transformation of the cultural heritage of India from ancient times until the present period has now become a main task of Indology. Therefore, new requirements for scholars in this field should be considered at the beginning of the 21st century, viz. the study of modern Indian literatures and personal acquaintance with real life in South Asia. The author exemplifies these developments with reference to the history of Indian studies at Gottingen university. However, he argues that modern Indian studies may not be radically separated from "classical" Indology because the knowledge of ancient and mediaeval Indian culture is the necessary basis for a correct understanding of the contemporary social, political and religious developments in South Asia.