Introduction

The program in Indo-Muslim Culture deals with the Islamic cultures and literatures of South Asia, a region that is home to the largest population of Muslims in the world. The first program of its kind at any Western university, it was established in the late 1960s with generous assistance from the estate of Ozai Durrani, the inventor of Minute Rice, who was an ardent devotee of Urdu mystical poetry and the culture that nurtured it. Professor Annemarie Schimmel, the distinguished scholar of Islamic Studies, was appointed the first Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture in 1970.

Studies of Indo-Muslim culture involve interdisciplinary course work spanning several related departments, most notably Sanskrit and Indian Studies, The Study of Religion, History and History of Art and Architecture. Since Indo-Muslim Culture is considered a specialization within the field of Arabic and Islamic Studies, students in the program often take many of their required courses from offerings in this field as well. Literary and religious traditions of South Asia, as well as their cross-relations with Indo-Muslim culture, form an important part of the program.

The Graduate Program

Given the wide range of disciplines and subjects, graduate students in Indo-Muslim culture are encouraged to develop, in consultation with their faculty advisor, a program of study that best meets their individual interests. The core element of any program in this field is the study of Urdu language and literature to an advanced level. A wide variety of courses are offered, including several of which focus on literary history and specific literary genres, such as the ghazal. Special emphasis is also given to a solid knowledge of the Persian literary traditions without which it is impossible to understand medieval and contemporary South Asia. Depending on the individual program needs of students, some study of Arabic may also be necessary. Qualified students may also be able to undertake independent study of Sindhi and Gujarati.

Beyond studying languages and literatures, students are encouraged to take a wide range of courses related to the Islamic tradition offered at Harvard. Subjects include Islamic mysticism (Sufism), Islam and the arts, Islamic theology and law, Islamic philosophy, Islamic art and architecture, as well as history of Muslim societies in the Middle East and Central Asia.

All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Religion 1585: Islam in South Asia: Religion, Culture and Identity in South Asian Muslim Societies and Islamic Civilizations 241r: Approaches to Studying Indo-Muslim Culture and South Asian Islam.

Students pursuing a graduate degree in Indo-Muslim Culture are required to meet the general graduate requirements for all students pursuing graduate degrees in the Department of Near Eastern Language and Civilizations.

In keeping with the common language requirement for all fields in NELC, students are also expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French and German.

Students prepare four fields for the Ph.D. general examinations; two of these are required: Urdu language and literature and history of Islam in South Asia (Indo-Muslim Culture). The other two fields can be related to any subject within the framework of Islamic and/or South Asian studies and must be determined in consultation with the student's academic advisor.

The Undergraduate Program

It is possible for undergraduates to design their individual program in Indo-Muslim studies, involving at least two years of the study of Urdu language. Beyond the language requirement, undergraduates will be expected, with guidance from their advisor, to create a program of study selecting from a range of courses offered within the broader framework of Islamic Studies and South Asian studies. Courses may be taken through NELC, or related departments, such as Sanskrit and Indian Studies and The Study of Religion.

Undergraduates who are interested in studying Urdu language and literature, without concentrating in Indo-Muslim studies, may be eligible for a language citation in Urdu if they study the language for two years beyond the first year.

Faculty
Prof. Shahab Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies
Prof. Ali S. Asani, Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Culture

Affiliated Faculty
Dr. Naseem Hines, Preceptor in Urdu-Hindi [Sanskrit and Indian Studies]


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