Hyderabad: The International Persian Summer School started today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad with Noted Scholar Prof. Eva Orthmann from Germany describing Hyderabad as a “Treasure Trove” of Persian archival history in India.
Addressing the inaugural session the Head of the Department, Iranian Studies, University of Gottingen (Formerly Berlin University) said this School provides an opportunity to the participants, to read and analyse the Persian archival records available at different places in Hyderabad.
The first Summer School was held in Gottingen last year. The success of the first school motivated the organizers to hold the second school in India.
Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, Vice-Chancellor presided over the inaugural.
Department of Persian, MANUU is organizing the Summer School on “Reading and Analyzing Indo-Persian Records” in collaboration with Department of Iranian Studies, University of Gottingen, Germany.
Telangana Archives possess unique collection of documents right from Mughal era to Asafjahi period, most of these records are in Persian, she pointed out while explaining the reason behind organizing the unique research activity in the city of Qutub Shahs.
Around 25 scholars from Europe and other countries are attending the school which will continue till 31st August. In recent years, research scholars have started looking at the historical records while decoding the history instead of relying solely upon the historiography, Prof. Eva observed.
Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz in his presidential address highlighted the diverse nature of Indian civilization and how old records give us first hand information about the history.
We have the invaluable records waiting to be explored and unlock the wisdom hidden in it but not many of us are working on this, he remarked. This summer school will also encourage our research scholars to look at the available historical documents, Dr. Parvaiz expressed the hope.
Earlier, Dr. Zarina Parveen, Director, Telangana State Archives in her address gave details about the rich archival nature of this collection. 70 to 80% of about 15 million documents are in Persian, written in cursive form. Special training is required to read and analyze that documents, she pointed out.
Prof. Aziz Bano delivered the welcome address, Prof. Shahid Naukhez Azmi, Head, Department of Persian (MANUU), proposed vote of thanks and Dr. Qaiser Ahmed, Assistant Professor conducted the proceedings. (INN)