Epidemien und Krisenmanagement im vormodernen Südasien

Wider research context: While the colonial and modern history of epidemics in South Asia is well studied, the subject of epidemics in the pre-modern period constitutes a significant research gap in the history of medicine. This project aims to fill a part of this lacuna by examining the cultural and intellectual history of epidemics and similar calamities in South Asia and its medical, religious, divinatory, social, political and philosophical aspects through a comprehensive philological investigation of the relevant Sanskrit literature. Its focus will lie on the middle phase of the pre-modern era (often described as the classical period), starting with the emergence of an urban culture in the Ganges-Yamuna region beginning in the 6th century BC and ending with the fall of the Gupta empire (550 CE).

Objectives: A comprehensive understanding of the role of epidemics in the intellectual, cultural and social history of premodern South Asia has to be the first and central aim. By including findings from other research fields like archaeology and by examining the relations with the history of epidemics in the Mediterranean region the results of this process shall be placed in a wider context. Thus, the project deliverables shall provide a comprehensive depiction of the history of epidemics and related subjects in pre-modern South Asia, relevant not only for specialists in South Asian Studies, but also for a broad audience interested in epidemiology, history of medicine, medical ethics as well as the social and cultural history of the subcontinent.

Approach: After a systematic collec tion and assessment of relevant textual material, the most eminent task will consist in a philologically sound meticulous review of the findings. This will in clude the preparation of working translations under consideration of already available transla tions, the study of extant commentaries and the consideration of relevant secondary literature. In order to fully take into account the relevance of adjacent research fields like archaeology and the history of epidemics in the Mediterranean region, close collaboration with experts in these fields is essential.

Level of originality: The available literature as well as research done on epidemics in pre-modern South Asia so far is meagre. A comprehensive account of this topic will represent an absolute novelty filling a critical gap in the study of global medical history. It will function as a much-needed basis for further studies in early and medieval South Asian society and history as well as for intercultural and transdisciplinary research regarding health and the development of civilization.

Primary researchers involved: The research will be conducted by Vitus Angermeier, a scholar of South Asian studies with a focus on premodern Ayurveda. His previous occupation with the epidemics chapter of one of the foundational compilations of Ayurveda make him an expert in the core topic of the proposed project.