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Department of Indian Subcontinental Studies
The gateway to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Exploring the intellectual, literary and artistic traditions that have shaped South Asian civilisation. We teach Sanskrit and the profound role of language in shaping Asia today.
Our study of the Indian Subcontinent moves beyond stereotypes and encourages a balanced, big-picture analysis of the region. We take pride in delivering sophisticated and insightful responses to critical issues in contemporary South Asia, including human rights issues, inter-religious tension, dowry and arranged marriages.
We offer studies in Sanskrit as well as non-language areas that explore traditional and modern cultures and religions (especially Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism). We also investigate the history, literature, politics and social structures of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan) as well as Tibet and Central Asia.
Our study offerings
Through the study of Sanskrit language, the most important classical language of the Indian subcontinent, you can explore the various intellectual, literary and artistic traditions that have shaped South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan), Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Tibet and played a profound role in forming Asia as a whole.
Undergraduate
*Available within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees.
Our research
Our research areas include:
- The religious traditions of South Asia
- Indian religion as manifest in other parts of Asia, particularly Buddhism in Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia
- Method in the study of Indian and Buddhist thought
- Early Buddhist literature, particularly of the ‘mainstream’ schools as preserved in Pali, Gandhari, Prakrit, Buddhist Sanskrit and Chinese
- Recent discoveries of Buddhist manuscripts from Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia, with a special interest in ancient Gandhara
- Buddhist Sanskrit and the Middle Indo-Aryan languages, particularly Pali and Gandhari.
Learn more: Languages and cultures research
Our people
- Undergraduate, postgraduate research and exchange enquiries: mark.allon@sydney.edu.au
- Dr Chris Clark
- Dr Tamara Ditrich
- Professor Geoffrey Samuel
- Dr Peter Skilling
Events
See our school's calendar for a full listing of upcoming events.
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