The Curious Geography of Indology: Why the World Studies India Outside India

The Curious Geography of Indology: Why the World Studies India Outside India

In the global academic landscape, there exists a peculiar anomaly that has persisted for decades. If a student today wishes to study Sanskrit philosophy, classical Indian texts, or the intellectual traditions of South Asia at the highest levels of international academia, the most prominent destinations are rarely found within India. Instead, they are located in Oxford, Leiden, Heidelberg, Chicago, and Harvard. This situation, while normalized and rarely commented upon, is worth examining for its inherent strangeness. A civilization that has produced one of the largest textual traditions in human history has somehow outsourced the most influential institutions studying that tradition. Even more intriguing is the fact that many of these institutions are partly funded by Indian money. This creates a unique civilizational habit: India finances the global study of itself, but largely abroad.

To understand this phenomenon, consider Harvard University. In 2017, industrialist Lakshmi Mittal and his family donated $25 million to expand Harvard's South Asia research programs. The institute was subsequently renamed the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, and it now operates as one of the most prominent academic centers in the world dedicated to the study of the region. Another example of this trend can be found on the same campus. In 2010, Anand Mahindra donated $10 million to support Harvard's Humanities Center, which now carries the name Mahindra Humanities Center. Additionally, the Murty Classical Library of India, funded by Rohan Murty and published through Harvard University Press, seeks to translate and publish India's classical literary works across centuries and languages.

All of these initiatives are serious intellectual endeavors. They have produced scholarship, fellowships, and translations of undeniable value. However, the broader pattern remains difficult to ignore. The world's most influential institutions dedicated to the study of Indian civilization are often located outside of India, and their existence is frequently supported by Indian philanthropy. This creates a paradoxical situation where India, the birthplace of a rich and diverse intellectual tradition, is both the subject of these studies and the financier of the institutions conducting them.

The reasons behind this curious geography of indology are multifaceted. One factor is the historical context of colonialism and the subsequent global dissemination of knowledge. During the colonial era, many Indian texts and traditions were studied and documented by scholars from European and American institutions. This legacy has persisted, with many of these institutions continuing to lead in the study of Indian civilization. Additionally, the global academic system has been shaped by the dominance of Western institutions, which have traditionally held significant influence over the study of non-Western civilizations.

Another factor is the role of Indian diaspora and the global Indian elite. Many Indian scholars and intellectuals have chosen to work and study abroad, contributing to the establishment and growth of indology departments and research centers in institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. This brain drain, while enabling the global study of Indian civilization, also highlights the challenges faced by Indian academia in retaining and nurturing talent.

Furthermore, the rise of Indian philanthropy and the growing interest in supporting academic institutions abroad can be attributed to a desire to ensure the global recognition and preservation of India's intellectual heritage. By funding these institutions, Indian donors are not only supporting research but also ensuring that the study of Indian civilization remains a vibrant and influential field within the global academic community.

Despite the undeniable value of these initiatives, the situation raises questions about the role of India in shaping its own intellectual narrative. While it is important for the global study of Indian civilization to be conducted by the best scholars and institutions, it is also crucial for India to invest in its own academic infrastructure and research capabilities. This would enable Indian scholars to contribute to the global discourse on their own terms, rather than relying on external institutions that may sometimes lack the necessary context or perspective.

In conclusion, the curious geography of indology—the world studying India largely outside India—is a complex phenomenon shaped by historical, institutional, and philanthropic factors. While the existence of prominent indology departments and research centers abroad has undoubtedly produced valuable scholarship, it also highlights the need for India to reevaluate its role in the global study of its own civilization. By investing in its own academic institutions and nurturing local talent, India can ensure that its intellectual traditions are studied and understood in a manner that is both globally relevant and locally informed.