Participants will learn how to read Sanskrit manuscripts and make critical editions. We will first make a critical edition of a section of a compendium of Māhātmyas (“Glorifications”) of Vārāṇasī, using the only manuscript available to us today (possibly 12^th century, in Old Nāgarī) and its later apograph (in Devanāgarī) and comparing these with a parallel in two Purāṇas. In the second part of the course, we will read a section of the early Skandapurāṇa from several manuscripts (from the 9^th century and later), written in early Nepalese Licchavi, early Bengali and Devanāgarī, and we will make a critical edition.

• Level: The course requires a good knowledge of classical Sanskrit.
• Requirements: There will be short daily assignments.
• Materials: All materials will be distributed by the teacher prior to the first class.

This course examines social institutions in Vedic and Epic India, focusing on sacred kingship, priesthood, warrior elites, and the para-establishment phenomenon of the Old Indic Männerbund. Through close reading of Vedic Saṃhitās, Brāhmaṇas, ritual Sūtras, and Mahābhārata excerpts, we shall explore possibilities of reconstructing social reality on the basis of mytho-religious narratives and ritual practices. Special attention is given to age- and gender-based groups, leadership, mobility, initiation, cult, and para-legal structures, situating the rich Indic and Indo-Iranian evidence in a broader comparative Indo-European context. The course integrates linguistic, socio-anthropological, and historical perspectives in the interpretation of the ancient Indic sacred literature.

• Level: At least basic knowledge of Sanskrit is expected. The course is designed for students at beginner/intermediate level with interests in Indic, Indo-Iranian, and general Indo-European Studies, language and cultural history. While a basic understanding of another ancient Indo-European language (such as Latin, Greek or Avestan) would be advantageous, it is not a prerequisite for attending this course.
• Requirements: Active participation in class discussions and willingness to prepare translations at home.
• Materials: Detailed bibliographies, presentations and text excerpts will be provided in class.

The Kushan Empire (1st–3rd cent. CE) left behind a rich epigraphical legacy reflecting the multilingual environment of Central and South Asia. In this course, we will study Kushan inscriptions in Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit, written in Brāhmī, and in Gāndhārī, written in Kharoṣṭhī. During the first week, we will read Brāhmī inscriptions from Mathurā (Central India) and identify key linguistic features of Epigraphical Hybrid Sanskrit, a mixed language combining Sanskrit phonology with Prakrit morphosyntax. In the second week, hands-on readings of Kharoṣṭhī texts will familiarise students with the basics of Gāndhārī phonology and morphology.

• Level: Previous knowledge of Sanskrit is required. Any prior acquaintance with Middle Indo-Aryan and/or the relevant scripts (Brāhmī/Kharoṣṭhī) is not necessary, though it would be helpful.
• Requirements: Students will be asked to prepare the texts before each class.
• Materials: Course documents will be provided; no textbook is required.

This course, aimed at both Indologists and Indo-Europeanists, examines the historical development of Sanskrit grammar in order to explain its present form. In the first week, we will focus on the major phonological developments including the palatalization of the velars, Brugmann’s Law, Grassmann’s Law, and various laryngeal reflexes, with particular attention to the precise formulation of these sound laws and their relative chronology. We will also examine the sandhi rules and the phonological rationale underlying them. The second week will be devoted to historical morphology, covering nouns, pronouns, and verbs.

• Level: At least one year of Sanskrit would be an advantage.
• Materials: The course materials will be supplied.