Hermann Kulke, a German historian and Indologist, died on March 10, 2026.
He was 87. Kulke was professor of South and Southeast Asian history at Kiel University from 1988 to 2003.
After earning his PhD in Indology from Freiburg University in 1967, he taught for 21 years at the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University. His research focused on pre-colonial South and Southeast Asian history, early state formation, historiography and regional cultures of India, especially in Odisha. He was also a visiting professor at universities in India and Singapore.
Hermann Kulke (30 May 1938 – 10 March 2026) was a German historian and Indologist, who was professor of South and Southeast Asian history at the Department of History, Kiel University (1988–2003). After receiving his PhD in Indology from Freiburg University in 1967, he taught for 21 years at the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University (SAI). Supported by many field trips in the regions, he researched pre-colonial South and Southeast Asian history, early state formation and historiography, and regional cultures of India, especially in Odisha (Odissa). He was a visiting professor at universities in India and Singapore.