History

The University of Delhi was established in 1922 as an independent university for Delhi Under Act VIII fo1922. With its establishment the Department of Persian was also set up, but till 1957 it was not an independent unit and teachers from St. Stephen, College, Hindu College and Ramjas College used to participate in the co-operative teaching. These colleges were affiliated to the university and the teachers of these colleges were recognised university teachers according to the rules and regulations of the university. Another college, which got affiliation from the university later on, was the Anglo-Arabic College. This college which has its own glorious history, like the city of Delhi, was made dysfunctional several times and it now exists under the name of Zakir Husain College. Looking back at history of this college it must be mentioned that Nawab Ghaziuddin Firoz Jung II had founded Madrasa-e-Ghaziuddin in 1792 near Ajmeri Gate for the development of learning in Delhi. Later on in 1825 Delhi College was located in the same building. After the great upheaval of 1857 the college was closed down but after a lapse of many years it began to function again under the name of Anglo-Arabic College. Again after the partition of the country the college was given back its old name, i.e. Delhi College. But today the college is associated with the name and memory of the late President of India Dr. Zakir Husain. Persian studies got a boost when in 1959 Camp College, then affiliated to Punjab University, was taken over by the University of Delhi and Persian studies at the Post-Graduate level were initiated in the Evening Classes also.

In 1963 on the recommendation of the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru the teaching of Modern Persian at the elementary level for beginners was introduced and recently two job oriented courses have also been approved by the University for the Department of Persian. Presently the following courses are being conducted at the Department: Ph.D. M.Phil. M.A. (Morning & Evening). Post M.A. Diploma in Advanced Translation/Interpretation. Post M.A. Diploma in Paleography. Advanced Diploma in Modern Persian. Diploma in Modern Persian. Certificate in Modern Persian.

The teaching of Persian at the under-graduate level at present is conducted at St. Stephen’s College and Zakir Husain College (Day & Evening). Further, the Department too provides facilities for teaching Persian to undergraduate bona-fide students of colleges situated in the University campus.

Although the Department of Persian has been functioning in the University since its establishment but as mentioned earlier it came into full existence in the University campus only in 1957 and at that time it was part of the combined department of Arabic, Persian and Urdu. The department of Urdu was established as an independent department only in 1959. Later the remaining department too bifurcated into separate departments of Arabic and Persian in 1978.

With the establishment of the Department of Persian in the Arts Faculty of the University and with the joining of Dr. S.A.H. Abidi a taste for research and literary activities was developed. Prof. Abidi had made a plan to prepare the history of Indo-Persian literature produced in India. Keeping the plan in mind he entrusted topics of particular periods to the Ph.D. scholars of the department. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the department has succeeded to some extent in its mission, and today the department has to its credit 27 awarded Ph.D’s.

After the introduction of M.Phil. Course in the University about 26 dissertations has also been completed on significant topics.

The literary and academic activities of the department are not confined merely to the teaching and learning of Persian language and literature. For exchange of views, periodical gatherings and meetings and with distinguished academicians are arranged. The department conducts a seminar once a week for the benefit of the students. Apart from this, the department also organizes seminars, conferences and workshops that provide a good opportunity for sharing views with the different scholars in the field. Recently the department had organised an International Seminar on the Study of Persian Language and Literature in India from 21st to 23rd December 1996 in collaboration with the I.R. Iran Culture House, New Delhi and the I.C.C.R., Delhi.

Among the other academic activities of the department the publication of books, research papers and a research journal are the significant activities. The department accords top priority to publications and every year with the meager University aid of RS. 5000/- it brings out a book or a monograph and today it has to its credit about 15 books or journals.

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