Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.100

v2.c10.100

In the early 1960s, in order to enhance the understanding of China, The School of International Studies (SIS) was founded in New Delhi and soon incorporated into Jawaharlal Nehru University. Afterwards, Delhi University established the centre for Chinese studies in 1964 and restructured it into the Department of Chinese and Japanese Studies in 1968, which was renamed the Department of East Asian Studies in 2003. They emphasised the study of Chinese language, literature and social sciences. It should be noted that after the explosion of border conflict in 1962, in Cheena Bhavan of Vishva-Bharati University, the tradition of focus on ancient Chinese language, Buddhist teaching and studies, represented by P C Bagchi, was terminated for a long time. During almost 40 years, this tradition was not continued, and the discipline had no appeal for students. At present, the situation has gradually improved. In terms of the teaching and studies of Chinese language, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Banaras Hindu University can provide students with specialised courses from undergraduate to doctorate level. After decades of development, Jawaharlal Nehru University has become a key institution where Indians learn Chinese and study Chinese literature. In addition, many institutions throughout India have opened short-term Chinese language courses. However, they mainly focus on the needs of business.