Etymologies of Persian Words Reveal Intertextual Entanglements: Dr. Alexander Jabbari

International Conference “Networks and Entanglements" begins in MANUU

Hyderabad:

Etymological studies of Persian words reveal fascinating connections among languages and civilisations, reflecting centuries of linguistic borrowing, cultural encounters and intellectual exchanges, observed Dr. Alexander Jabbari of the University of Minnesota in the inaugural session of a 3-Day International Conference on “Networks and Entanglements: Exploring Civilisational Intertextuality in the Global South” today in Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU).

Delivering the first plenary lecture on “Persian Grammar in Early Modern India”, Dr. Jabbari illustrated how Persian words and their etymologies reveal intertextual connections among Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Hebrew. He highlighted the cosmopolitan character of Persian scholarship in Mughal India, particularly its engagement with Sanskrit. He discussed the development of Persian grammatical traditions across India, the Ottoman Empire and China. He also examined Persian's relationship with emerging vernaculars such as Urdu.

Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, MANUU, presided over the inaugural session. Recalling the contributions of British Orientalist Sir William Jones, who translated Persian and Indian literary classics into English, he remarked that had Dara Shikoh, the author of Majma-ul-Bahrain, been alive today, he would perhaps have written about the confluence not of two, but of many oceans, underscoring the plurality and interconnectedness of civilisations.

Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar, delivered the welcome address, while Prof. Syed Imtiaz Hasnain, Conference Convener, presented the conference statement. The international conference is being organised by MANUU in academic collaboration with the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, from 2 to 4 November 2026.

The inaugural session witnessed the release of the Book of Abstracts 2026, the proceedings of the November 2025 conference titled “Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and Persian: Civilizational Consilience across Linguistic, Literary, Cultural and Intellectual Exchanges.” Books authored by Dr. Peggy Mohan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Prof. Panchanan Mohanty and Prof. Sangeeta Bagga-Gupta were also released.

Prof. Gulfishaan Habeeb, Conference Director, delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Prof. Mohammed Abdul Sami Siddiqui, Conference Co-Convenor.