‘Hai Katha Sangram Ki…’: Pakistan Introduces Sanskrit Studies for the First Time

Islamabad: Till now Sanskrit was not made a part of any formal education in Pakistan, but this time the situation has changed. The famous University of Lahore, LUMS, has added it to its regular courses. There has been unexpected enthusiasm among the students regarding this new four-credit subject. Many people are considering this as a big step towards opening up the scope of education and cultural understanding.

When did this initiative start?

Till a few months ago, Sanskrit was being taught only in the form of a workshop in LUMS. In this three-month class, along with the grammar of the language, old texts and philosophy were also discussed. Seeing the interest from students and external participants, the university decided to make it a full course. Right now the seats are limited, but the plan is to expand it to the diploma level in the next two to three years.

Is it the first opportunity to study Sanskrit in Pakistan?

Yes, after partition the study of Sanskrit almost completely disappeared in Pakistan. This is the first time that any major institution has included it in its regular study. This step will also make it possible to study texts like Mahabharata and Geeta, which till now were hardly studied at the academic level in Pakistan. Many scholars believe that with this, language will not remain just a subject, but will also become a gateway to understanding culture.

Will now the possibilities of research on the Ramayana and Geeta also open up?

Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi, Director of Gurmani Centre, says that the university will soon start research-based studies on those texts, which till now have not been a part of academic discussion in Pakistan. He believes that in the coming time, such students will be prepared here who will be able to do serious research on Sanskrit and ancient Indian traditions.

How are local scholars viewing this change?

Professor Shahid Rashid, who has been associated with the project for a long time, says that Sanskrit is the common cultural heritage of South Asia. Initially the students found the language difficult, but with time they started understanding it, and now their interest is increasing. According to him, teaching this subject will give students another way to understand the old heritage of the region.

In what ways is this change important for Pakistan?

Experts believe that this initiative shows that Pakistan's education system is adopting a more open approach towards language and culture. By combining Sanskrit with local languages ​​like Sindhi, Punjabi, and Pashto, the university wants to create a comprehensive literary framework. This will not only expand the academic scope, but will also make it easier to understand the shared history and roots of both the countries – India and Pakistan.