Moravian Missionaries in Western Trans-Himalaya (Lahul, Ladakh and Kinnaur)

About the Book Moravian missionaries entered the Himalayan states in the middle of the nineteenth century with the objective to propagate the Christian faith and remained there under very tough climatic conditions for nearly a century. The whole period of their stay is the story of their struggle and adventure. They were highly educated and some of them like Jaeschke and Francke were scholars of international repute. While there was general acceptance among the people for their projects of the nature of general welfare, the missionaries, despite their earnest efforts, could not make much impact on the masses in gathering followers to accept their teachings and adopt their faith. But they were successful in carrying out in study of the Tibetan language and local dialects and the script. They produced several scholarly publications on the topics including dictionaries and grammars, besides translating the sacred literatures into their languages. Their studies on the local languages and their history and culture were of immense value. The duo authors, who belong to an area benefited by the works of the Moravian missionaries, have exerted to trace their past and present, their deeds succinctly in the present work. This also carries forward their previous work.

About the Authors Tobdan (b.1944) is a self-taught historian and linguist. His particular area of study is Lahul and Spiti and the areas surrounding it. He did LL.B from the University of Delhi and has recently retired as AGM from NABARD. Tobdan has to his credit number of research papers and scholarly articles and books including History and Religion of Lahul (1984), Bhoti Parichaya: Vyakaran and Anuvad (1990), The People of Upper Valley: The Todpas of Lahul in the Himalayas (1993), Kulu: A Study in History (2000) and Bashahar-Kinnaur: Cultural History of Western Trans-Himalaya (in press) and jointly with C. Dorje - Historical Documents from Western Trans-Himalayas (1996).

C. Dorje (b.1953) did his M.A. and M.Phil. degrees in History and PG Diploma in Archaeology. He joined ASI as Deputy Superintending Archaeologist in 1979 and presently woorking as Director. He has worked in the different fields in the ASI and has contributed number of articles and research papers and is also the co author of the book - Historical Documents from Western Trans-Himalaya: Lahul, Zanskar and Ladakh (1996) and Kumbhalgarh: The Pride of Maharanas of Mewar (in press) and co-editors of Indian Archaeology 1995-95: A Review (2000) and Inventory of Monuments and Sites of National Importance, Vol. I, Part-I: Srinagar (1998). He was also in the team deputed to Cambodia for preparation of Report on Ta Prohm temple complex. He also participated in the Azad Hind Expedition (1995-96) as a representative of Department of Culture, Govt. of India.

Preface Arrival the Missionaries in this part Trans-Himalaya important moment in the history the region. They were responsible introduction western education and health and other services, a large number of people. They also brought the ancient tribal society into contact with western culture and manners. Their intensive scholarly activities the studies conducted on variety of subjects including folk art, local dialects languages, customs, art archaeology, literature, etc. the region during period their extending to nearly century resulted accumulation of quantity important literatures and other.

The grand tradition Francke being carried out the qualified and this western scholars Ladakh Zanskar. However, in respect of Lahul, the time Moravians its golden age, The present work intended to continuation and carry forward previous attempt entitled Documents from Trans-Himalaya.

Lahul, Zanskar and Ladakh (1996), besides treating some new related Facsimile of some works Trans-Himalayan region, printed lithographic process and published at Kyelang Moravians, reproduced appendix that the curious readers and serious scholars the field will the glimpse the earnest efforts made by them the remote and Himalayan region. Some the original texts have appeared in transcription the work referred to above with their English rendering. Texts introductory sentences each item German have been reproduced here as far they legible, together with the English translation or brief description.

The present treatise draws heavily from the works and accounts predecessors and other learned scholars which acknowledge with due regard and are to them. is hoped that this work will be interest the general readers as the serious scholars, our former work had acceptance among them.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages