Birth of Indian studies

Sacy, known for his expertise in Arabic and Persian, attracted a great number of students from all over Europe to Paris. Alongside fellow scholars, he co-founded the Société asiatique, serving as its inaugural president. Among his notable students were early pioneers in Indology such as Chézy, Garcin de Tassy, Bopp, Kosegarten, Mitscherlich, Vullers, Mohl, Quatremère, and Reinaud. While primarily focused on Arabic and Persian studies, Sacy also maintained an interest in India. His significant accomplishment came in 1814 when the king Louis XVIII sanctioned the establishment of Sanskrit and Chinese chairs at the Collège de France.

Chézy, a French orientalist, was one of the first European scholars to immerse himself in the study of Sanskrit. He began studying the language around 1803, and eventually acquired a true mastery of Sanskrit, even enough to compose poems. He became the inaugural professor of Sanskrit at the Collège de France in 1815. He is the author of numerous publications and translations of Sanskrit texts.

Anquetil-Duperron, a French scholar and linguist of the 18th century, ventured into the depths of India's intellectual heritage, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. His journey marked a pivotal moment in the exploration of Indian languages, culture, and philosophy. He encountered the sacred scriptures of the Zoroastrians, known as the Avesta, which profoundly influenced his understanding of Indian languages and religions. Duperron's seminal work, "Zend-Avesta," marked the first European translation of Zoroastrian scriptures into a Western language.

The Société asiatique, a French association founded in 1822, emerged against a backdrop of growing interest, encouraged by the early successes of Orientalism. Its primary aim was to promote and disseminate knowledge about Asia. The society is best known for its publication, the Journal asiatique.