Z historii kontaktów polsko-indyjskich (od XVI w. do 1945 r.)

POLISH RELATIONS WITH INDIA FROM THE 16TH TO THE 20TH CENTURY – A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The study presents an overview of the history of the Polish relations with India before the official diplomatic relations have been established (1954). It covers the period from 15th century to the year 1945.
Polish contacts with India can be divided into two categories – direct and indirect. The latter prevailed in the more distant past. Later on individual Polish travelers, soldiers and missionaries travelled to India and acquired knowledge on this country and its heritage. In the more recent times regular studies of Indian matters evolved. During the World War II there happened new significant events in direct Polish-Indian co-operation. The study is based on both English and Polish works, in particular on studies published in “Rocznik Orientalistyczny” and “Przegląd Orientalistyczny”, published by Oriental Institute of Warsaw University.r