The Compendium of Suśruta in Time and Space

This project on the history of medicine is based at the University of Alberta. It builds on the discoveries and publications of the original Suśruta Project (2020-2024).

Funding for this project is generously provided by an Insight Grant from the Canadian SSHRC (no. 435-2025-0604) and runs from 2025-2029.

The project’s goal is to develop a fresh understanding of ancient South Asian medicine based on new evidence from a close study of the evolution of the Compendium of Suśruta between the ninth century and the nineteenth century.

We will be especially focussed on highlighting the textual and doctrinal differences between The Compendium as it existed in 878 CE and the later vulgate version and the work of the medieval commentators in reshaping the work over the years. Project outcomes will include critical editions and translations of the main text and its commentaries, studies of the transmission of scientific ideas within South Asia as well as to China and South East Asia, and outreach to contemporary consumers of indigenous medicine.