The correct answer is (c). The first university chair in Sanskrit was founded in Germany in 1818 at the University of Leipzig. The chair was established by the German scholar Christian Lassen, who was a pioneer in the study of Sanskrit. Lassen’s chair was the first of its kind in Europe, and it played a major role in the development of Sanskrit studies in the continent.
The other options are incorrect. Britain, France, and Russia all established university chairs in Sanskrit later than Germany. Britain established its first chair in Sanskrit in 1832 at the University of Oxford. France established its first chair in Sanskrit in 1868 at the University of Paris. Russia established its first chair in Sanskrit in 1870 at the University of St. Petersburg.
It is worth noting that the study of Sanskrit was not always well-received in Europe. In the early 19th century, some European scholars believed that Sanskrit was a barbaric language that was not worth studying. However, Lassen and other scholars helped to change this perception, and Sanskrit eventually became a respected field of study in Europe.