University of Heidelberg

Prof. Dr. Gerrit Schenk, JRG Leader 
Prof. Gerrit Schenk prepares a comparative study of the way earthquakes, floods and tempests were dealt with in two comparable regions, namely the Arno valley around Florence (Tuscany) and the Upper Rhine Valley around Strasbourg (Alsace/ Baden) during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Ages (around 1300-1550). As an important centre of the Renaissance and an important town of the Reformation respectively, time and space here lend themselves exceedingly well to the investigation of changing processes. In this period of time, Europe had received significant impetus from Arabic-transmitted ancient science, and both practical and political methods of dealing with natural risks had been developed which later spread beyond Europe, even worldwide. The way the administrations dealt with risks of floods in the European Late Middle Ages seems to have been different. A comparison of the Tuscany region and the Alsace shows that two significantly different concepts had developed. In  Tuscany, in a 300 year-long process, Florence, as the ruling power, constituted a form of governmental management of resources, but not without resistance by the local people. Not only various political factors but also the reception of antique law and Arabian-mediated science turned out to be particularly decisive. In contrast to that, one can see processes in Alsace which can be described best as “statebuilding from below”. Techniques of dam building which had been developed by experts from the North Sea coast were initially only locally used. As a result of the High Middle Age expansion, the need for supraregional regulation of hydraulic engineering and common pool resources increased. Villages, towns, nobility and the bishop of Strasbourg responded with the establishment of a sort of voluntary corporation. The natural risks were regulated corporately and relatively efficiently for more than 250 years. Then the prerogative was assigned to the French king. But apparently, a supportive mentality has remained. A common product of the JRG represents the publishing of the compendium “Cultures of Disaster” with essays by the JRG and the enlisted experts. There will be workshops and conferences to discuss the progress of the research and to provide the basis for the planning of the compendium (winter 2009 at Heidelberg, spring 2010 at Beirut, and spring 2011 at New Delhi). The common aim is to establish not only a historical disaster research in comparative perspective, but also to analyse the flows between different “cultures of disaster”. A specific intent in this regard will be a project-seminar to plan the organisation of an exhibition called “Disasters. Steps towards a Transcultural Iconography” (probably 2013; see project D17).   

Kristine Chalyan-Daffner, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate

The research in the field of Middle Eastern Studies will deal with the socio-cultural history of natural disasters such as windstorms, floods, earthquakes, droughts and famines which befell the Islamic Middle East during Mamluk era (1250-1517). It will give an account of how culture and society shaped responses to natural disasters during the period under consideration and will explore — with a special emphasis — perceptions, interpretations and human responses.

Since natural hazards always involve a combination of physical impact, human vulnerability and response, the key issues to be addressed and examined are: What kind of impact did such emergencies have on the lives of individuals and their mentalities? For natural catastrophes and the resulting terror and disorientation inevitably fostered different psychological and behavioural reactions among affected individuals and authorities: think of manifestations of religious fervour, magic, occultism, heretical or deviationist movements. What was the role of religion in the conceptualization and management of disasters? How did the authorities, public institutions, pious endowments and social welfare organizations participate in times of a crisis?

Answers to these questions will be gained primarily from literary sources such as Arabic chronicles, treatises, religious and astrological manuscripts on natural phenomena and narrative material from Mamluk period — which offers exceptionally fertile ground for investigations of this kind. Since the research sets out to explore a long period of time (1250-1517), the knowledge gained from it will inevitably contribute to our understanding of changes within Mamluk society that occurred due to natural disasters and the ensuing social tensions.

Eleonor Marcussen, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate

The research focuses on relief work during natural disasters in northern India in the period of the 19th-20th centuries. The research traces approaches by state and administration in their dealings with relief measurements, as well as the civil societies’ and relief organisations’ involvement in providing relief and awakening opinion.

In attending to reconstruction and control over relief measurements as well as remaining resources, the interplay between community, organisations and governing bodies play a crucial role in successfully managing the disaster impact. In this light, how were the approaches to relief work and the reconstruction process acted out by civil society and the state in India during this time? For the survivors, a sudden natural disaster often becomes a struggle over remaining resources and the new resources in the form of aid. Hence, how did the authorities, public institutions, and social welfare organisations cope in the aftermath of the disaster?

The study sets out to explore the contestation of relief measurements as stated by the various actors, expressed and formulated into actions of relief. By using data from the administrative accounts, official reports, newspapers and private papers the research aims to contribute to the knowledge of relief work and power contestations after natural disasters in late colonial India.