Perso Indica

The field of Indo-Persian studies has witnessed a renewal of interest over the last decades, with contributions coming from all over the world, many focusing on aspects of translation and cultural confluences. Given the origins of this term as a linguistic description of the variety of Persian used in South Asia, it is not a surprise that the field should be dominated by textual studies. Yet, since its inception in the nineteenth century, it has also always served to designate something of a shared culture between India and Iran. The concept has proven especially fruitful in historical writing on South Asia, covering that period which has been defined by Richard M. Eaton as “Persianate India” (1000-1765).

However, rather than simply a catchall category invented to facilitate the lumping together of several centuries of South Asian history, “Indo-Persian” is a dynamic category that seeks not to divide the cultural contributions into originally Indic and originally Persianate constituents but rather emphasises the originality and vitality of cultural forms that, though emanating from a different geographical area, took root in South Asia and thrived. It also goes against an old trope: that of a self-sufficient India that existed disconnected from the rest of the world until Europeans came and forced it into their orbit. Beyond nationalisms, religious divides and linguistic fragmentation, Indo-Persian studies seek to shed light on an important period of not only South Asian but also Central Asian and ultimately Global history.

Location and info

ILCAA, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Japon, 〒183-0003 Tokyo, Fuchu, Asahicho, 3 Chome−１１)

and Online

(Day 1: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qBgNMZVhTl6Fuh1FmRR_NA

Day 2: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/y80jP2c4QkKWU9iUh1DRrg)

 

Organised by:

Victor Baptiste (EPHE-GREI) and Raffaello De León-Jones Diani (EHESS-CESAH)

Co-organised by:

Prof. Satoshi Ogura (ILCAA, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)