Contours of Indian Elements in Persian Imagination: Literary and Linguistic Encounters in Pre-Modern India

Abstract

Persian, initially a foreign language, maintained a profound connection to India for centuries due to ancient Indo-Iranian ties dating back to the prehistoric and Vedic periods. With the arrival of Turks, Iranians, and Mughals from the 13th century onward, Persian had already established itself as a dominant cultural and intellectual lingua franca across much of Asia, from Afghanistan to Anatolia, a period scholars like Eaton refer to as the Persianate Age. In India, during the Ghaznavid, Ghurid, and Mughal eras, Persian became the court and administrative language, while also serving as a vital medium for literary, cultural, religious, and philosophical expression. This paper highlights the diverse influence of Indian cultural elements on Persian language and literature, emphasizing linguistic, literary, cultural, religious, and philosophical aspects, especially during medieval and early modern India.