Sanskrit Returns to Pakistani Classrooms After 75-Year Hiatus

Sanskrit is being taught in Pakistan for the first time since 1947. The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) launched a formal course. This follows a successful weekend workshop that sparked major student interest.The move reconnects Pakistan with a classical language deeply rooted in the region’s history. According to a report by The Tribune, students will engage with ancient texts and even the iconic theme from the Mahabharat television series.

Reviving a Neglected Scholarly Archive

Pakistan holds a rich but overlooked collection of Sanskrit manuscripts. This archive sits at the Punjab University library. It was last cataloged in the 1930s and has been used primarily by foreign researchers since partition.Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi, Director of the Gurmani Centre at LUMS, highlighted this gap. He said no local Pakistani academics have engaged with the collection for decades. Teaching Sanskrit aims to create homegrown scholars who can study these texts.

A Cultural Bridge Beyond Religion

Dr. Shahid Rasheed, an associate professor, championed the course’s introduction. He learned Sanskrit through online platforms over years of dedicated study. He often faces questions about his choice to study the language.He argues Sanskrit is a regional cultural monument, not tied to one religion. Dr. Rasheed points to the grammarian Panini, whose village was in this region. He believes owning this shared heritage is important for Pakistan’s scholarly identity.

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The return of Sanskrit studies marks a significant academic and cultural shift in Pakistan. It unlocks access to a vast repository of regional history and philosophy. This initiative could reshape scholarly engagement with South Asia’s classical past.

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Why is Sanskrit being taught in Pakistan now?

Strong student interest prompted the move. A three-month workshop was very successful. The university decided to launch a full credit course as a result.

What will students in the Sanskrit course study?

They will study classical Sanskrit grammar and texts. The curriculum also includes cultural touchstones like the Mahabharata theme song. The goal is foundational language proficiency.

Does Pakistan have historical Sanskrit resources?

Yes. Punjab University holds a major archive of Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts. It is one of the richest such collections, though it has been largely neglected by local scholars since 1947.

What is the long-term goal of this program?

Officials hope to create Pakistani scholars of texts like the Bhagavad Gita. They aim to have experts engaging with the national manuscript archive within 10 to 15 years.

How is Sanskrit viewed in this context?

Proponents describe it as a binding language for the entire South Asian region. They see it as a shared cultural heritage, not exclusively tied to any single religion.