MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FÜR WISSENSCHAFTSGESCHICHTE Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Event

Sep 21-22, 2026
Premodern Knowledge Systems from Primary Sources

Special focus on Sanskrit and Hindi Manuscripts in the Kenneth G. Zysk Collection

Introduction
The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS) at the University of Copenhagen, with the support of the Max Planck Research Group 'Astral Sciences in Trans-Regional Asia' (ASTRA), is organizing a hands-on workshop bringing together classical philologists and historians of science.

This program serves as a collaborative introduction to the reading of primary sources in Sanskrit and Hindi from the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection, housed at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. It is a unique learning experience in which participants will engage with texts in both their material and immaterial forms through guided, expert instruction.

Aims and Scope
This intensive two-day workshop immerses participants in an exceptional archival environment. The program offers a hands-on experience centred on the physical manuscripts and the history of the collection. This pilot edition focuses on exploring select genres of texts to provide participants the tools required to make critical decisions in editing premodern texts.

Workshop Structure
The workshop begins with an overview of the manuscripts, lithographs, and printed books in the collection. Through an introductory lecture, participants will situate the collection within the broader history of Indological studies in Denmark.

Following the introduction, participants will join four 3-hour sessions over two days. These sessions, led by subject-matter experts, will cover:

  • Sanskrit Astral Sciences
  • Sanskrit Ludic Literature
  • Sanskrit Ritual and Law
  • Early-Modern Hindi Poetry

A core component of this workshop is the Student Project. Participants will be paired in small groups to write a descriptive catalogue entry for select manuscripts. These entries will be published as part of the ongoing cataloguing project of the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection, providing real-world skills required for professional curatorial work.

Main Instructors

  • Prof. Dr. Anuj Misra (MPIWG)
  • Dr. Jacob Schmidt-Madsen (MPIWG)
  • Dr. Arpan Guha (MPIWG)
  • Dr. Elmar Josef Renner (KU)

Overseer & Commentator

  • Prof. Kenneth G. Zysk (KU)

Location

Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Collection
Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS)
University of Copenhagen
Building 10
Karen Blixens Plads 8
2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark

Sanskrit manuscript.

Sanskrit manuscript from the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection. Source: Anuj Misra, 2025.

Organizer(s)
Related Project(s)
Contact and Registration

This workshop is designed for advanced doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career faculty with a working knowledge of Sanskrit and/or other Indian classical or vernacular languages.

Important:

  • Please read the requirements carefully. Applicants must possess an advanced level of Sanskrit reading to participate effectively in the sessions.
  • To ensure high-quality instruction and direct access to the manuscripts, space is limited to six (6) participants. Preference is given to those who can attend the full duration and commit to the cataloguing project.

To Apply:
Applications must be sent via email to amisra@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de with the subject line: 'Last Name – Philology Training 2026'.

  • Format: Please combine your Letter of Motivation (max. 2 pages) and CV (max. 1 page)—in that specific order—into a single PDF file. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Deadline: Applications must be received by April 30, 2026.
  • Selection Results: Communicated on May 11, 2026.
  • Confirmation: Required by May 20, 2026.

Grants and Support:
A limited number of grants are available to support participants from low-income countries and/or those with little institutional support. These grants cover economy travel and accommodation.

  • Accommodation: Will be pre-booked and paid for directly by the organizers.
  • Travel: Economy return travel costs will be provided on a reimbursement basis only. To receive reimbursement, participants must maintain and submit all original receipts, invoices, and proof of payment.
  • Action Required: Applicants requiring financial support must explicitly indicate this need within their letter of motivation.
  • Notification: Grant selection results will be communicated alongside the general participation results on May 11, 2026.

 

Provisional Program

Day 1: Monday September 21, 2026

  • 08:30–09:30: Welcome Address

    Welcome Address (Prof. Kenneth G. Zysk) and Introduction to the Zysk Collection (Dr. Jacob Schmidt-Madsen) 

  • 09:30–12:30: Session 1

    Primary Source – Sanskrit 1

  • 12:30–14:00: Lunch Break

  • 14:00–17:00: Session 2

    Primary Source – Hindi (Braj Bhāṣā)

  • 18:00: Group Social / Dinner

Day 2: Tuesday September 22, 2026

  • 09:00–12:00: Session 3

    Primary Source – Sanskrit 2

  • 12:00–13:30: Lunch Break

  • 13:30–16:30: Session 4

    Manuscript Cataloguing Training

  • 16:30–17:30: Student Presentations

  • 17:30: Closing Reception

2026-09-21T08:30:00SAVE IN I-CAL 2026-09-21 08:30:00 2026-09-22 17:30:00 Premodern Knowledge Systems from Primary Sources Special focus on Sanskrit and Hindi Manuscripts in the Kenneth G. Zysk Collection Introduction The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS) at the University of Copenhagen, with the support of the Max Planck Research Group 'Astral Sciences in Trans-Regional Asia' (ASTRA), is organizing a hands-on workshop bringing together classical philologists and historians of science. This program serves as a collaborative introduction to the reading of primary sources in Sanskrit and Hindi from the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection, housed at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. It is a unique learning experience in which participants will engage with texts in both their material and immaterial forms through guided, expert instruction. Aims and Scope This intensive two-day workshop immerses participants in an exceptional archival environment. The program offers a hands-on experience centred on the physical manuscripts and the history of the collection. This pilot edition focuses on exploring select genres of texts to provide participants the tools required to make critical decisions in editing premodern texts. Workshop Structure The workshop begins with an overview of the manuscripts, lithographs, and printed books in the collection. Through an introductory lecture, participants will situate the collection within the broader history of Indological studies in Denmark. Following the introduction, participants will join four 3-hour sessions over two days. These sessions, led by subject-matter experts, will cover: Sanskrit Astral Sciences Sanskrit Ludic Literature Sanskrit Ritual and Law Early-Modern Hindi Poetry A core component of this workshop is the Student Project. Participants will be paired in small groups to write a descriptive catalogue entry for select manuscripts. These entries will be published as part of the ongoing cataloguing project of the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection, providing real-world skills required for professional curatorial work. Main Instructors Prof. Dr. Anuj Misra (MPIWG) Dr. Jacob Schmidt-Madsen (MPIWG) Dr. Arpan Guha (MPIWG) Dr. Elmar Josef Renner (KU) Overseer & Commentator Prof. Kenneth G. Zysk (KU) Location Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Collection Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS) University of Copenhagen Building 10 Karen Blixens Plads 8 2300 Copenhagen S Denmark i Sanskrit manuscript from the Kenneth G. Zysk Indological Manuscript Collection. Source: Anuj Misra, 2025. Anuj MisraJacob Schmidt-MadsenKenneth G. Zysk Anuj MisraJacob Schmidt-MadsenKenneth G. Zysk Europe/Berlin public