Reviews of some selected writings of Alfred Hillebrandt on Vedic Studies

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The contribution of German scholars to the field of Indology is truly remarkable. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous German Indologists played pivotal roles in shaping Vedic studies, marking significant turning points in the discipline. Their endeavours not only enriched the experiences of Western scholars but also opened new chapters in our own historical understanding. Many eminent German Vedic scholars introduced fresh perspectives that stimulated scholarly discourse. Consequently, Vedic philology experienced rapid growth in this vibrant intellectual milieu.

The works of these German scholars are predominantly available in German, making them inaccessible to many researchers. This book authored by Ms. Mukta Muley Saraf will highlight the contribution of one of the greatest German indologists, Alfred Hillebrandt. We are delighted to announce this publication by VSM, which sheds light on Hillebrandt's profound impact on Vedic studies.

From the year 2022, Ms. Mukta Muley started working in the post of editor at Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala. She is well-versed in German and French. She put a lot of effort in completing the task within the given time. I'd like to thank Ms. Mukta Muley for her efforts and hope she would go on supporting the group.

I express my gratitude to the Central Sanskrit University, which serves as funding agency. In particular, I would like to thank Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi ji, the Vice Chancellor and Prof. Gayatri Murali Krishna, the Registrar in-Charge, and the team of CSU for reviving back the Publication grant, which provided VSM with funding to print books in the past, under the new Scheme 2020.

I am grateful to Prof. Ved Prakash Upadhyaya, Chairman of the Management Committee, Adarsha Sanskrit Shodha Samstha, VSM, Pune; Prof. Saroja Bhate, Chairperson of the Managing Committee, VSM, Pune and Prof. Bhagyalata Pataskar, Former Director, VSM, Pune.

In an attempt to bring Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala, Pune, back to life, I would like to thank Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat and the new members of the team: Dr. Onkar Joshi, Smt. Mukta Muley, Shri. Krushna Mali, Dr. Vidya Sagi, Dr. Vaishnavi Patil and Smt. Madhuri.

India is a huge country and also the home of many languages, literature, cultures, histories and traditions. With the terms of one language, one culture, one history it is difficult to describe "India". In the 19th 20th century, India was considered a cultural alternative to Europe as World War I & II were reasons for this. The fascination of Germans towards India started during the period of Romanticism (1798-1835). During Romantic Movement, there was a spiritual and emotional attempt to break the narrow cultural tradition in Germany. There was a tendency to explain the history of mankind, to regain the harmony in Europe, to search for the peace as a response to the shortcomings in the contemporary life, society, world of philosophy, art, music, poetry. Therefore, many thinkers of this era were impressed by Indian thoughts and literature.

During the period of Romanticism one of the great German writers Goethe coined the idea of "world-literature" (Weltliteratur). According to Goethe, the idea of world-literature is a bridge between the nations and national literatures for the exchange of ideal values and to make people known to each other, learn to understand each other, respect each other and for the development of networks of academic communication. The idea of world-literature was one of the reasons for the development of Sanskrit studies in Germany.

In the year 1818, WILHELM VON HUMBOLDT started the first chair for Sanskrit and linguistics at the newly founded university in Bonn, and later in 1821 in Berlin. He had received lasting inspiration from the Goethe-Schiller circle. The close connection that has existed between Sanskrit and linguistics in Germany from the very beginning influenced many Indologists of that era.

Two brothers August Wilhelm Schlegel and Friedrich Schlegel were the founders of Indology. First chair of Indology was established at Bonn University in 1818.