The paper deals with some parallels and connections between Polish
and Russian Indologists in the 20th century. Both Polish and Russian Indological
schools have their roots in the great European Indological tradition. They experienced
a signifi cant infl uence of German and, to a lesser extent, of English and French Indological schools. Fyodor Stcherbatsky was the most eminent Russian Indologist. He
published his articles in the Rocznik Orientalistyczny and was in correspondence with
Professor S. Schayer, who contributed to their dialogue by publishing a review of Stcherbatsky’s main work on the conception of the Buddhist Dharma. A Polish textbook
on Sanskrit by Professor Gawroński and a Stcherbatsky-edited Russian translation
of Bühler’s textbook were published almost simultaneously. After the Second World
War, Indological contacts between Poland and Russia intensifi ed. Polish Indologists
participated in the Oriental forums in Moscow, and Russian Indologists visited Poland. In general, this time was a period of fruitful relationships and exchange though
it was partly spoiled by the dominance of the vulgar Soviet version of Marxism, which
impacted writings on history and philosophy. Nevertheless, Indological research continued and developed in both countries. A book on the history of Ancient India, which
was presented by Professor G. M. Bongard-Levin to Professor Ludwik Skurzak,
is kept in the library of the De partment of Indology of the University of Wrocław as
a testament to these robust Polish-Russian contacts.