Indology or Indian studies is the academic study of of the history and cultures, languages and literature of India and as such is a subset of Asian studies.
The term indology (in german, indoloige) is often associated with German scholarship, and is used more commonly in departmental titles in German and continental European universities than in anlglo academy. In Netherlands the term indologie was used to designate the study of Indian history and culture in preparation for colonial service in the Dutch East studies.
Spefically, Indology includes the study of Sanskrit literature and Hinduism along with other Indian religions, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Pali literature. Dravidology is the separate branch of dedicated to the Dravidian languages of South India.Hindu texts in Dravidian languages are considered disciplines in Indology.
Some scholars distinguish Classical Indology from Modern Indology ,the former more focused on Sanskrit and other ancient language sources, the latter on contemporary India, its politics and sociology.
History
Precursors
The beginnings of the study of India by travellers from outside the subcontinent date back at least to the Megasthenes
