International Journal of History

This paper aims to illuminate the significant contributions of the eminent Italian scholar Gaspare Gorresio (18.1.1807-21.5.1891) to Sanskrit and Indological studies. During the colonial era, many foreign scholars advanced classical Indological studies by translating key texts of ancient Indian scriptures and civilization. However, Gorresio stood out as a pioneer in this field, making substantial and comprehensive contributions to the critical study and translation of Indian scriptures after extensive efforts in collecting and collating various versions available in India. He not only mastered Sanskrit, the language of Indian scriptures, but also undertook the monumental task of translating the Indian epic "Ramayana," one of the greatest ancient epics in world literature, into Italian as "Rāmāyaṇa, poema indico di Valmiki." This mammoth text, comprising over 24,000 verses is divided into seven books or kandas, as detailed out in Valmiki Ramayana. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Turin established a chair for Sanskrit studies for the first time in 1852 and awarded it to Gorresio.