Islamabad: In a surprising and significant development, Sanskrit—closely associated with ancient Hindu philosophy and literature—is gaining academic recognition in Pakistan, particularly within elite educational institutions.
The move has drawn attention as it emerges from a country often marked by political hostility toward India and limited public engagement with Hindu cultural traditions.
At the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Sanskrit is now being taught formally, with students introduced to verses from the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. As part of the curriculum, students are also exposed to an Urdu narration of the iconic Mahabharata television theme “Hai Katha Sangram Ki.”
What began as a three-month workshop has received strong interest from students and scholars alike and is now being expanded into a full-fledged university course, with plans to offer it year-long by 2027.
The revival effort is being led by Professor Shahid Rashid of Forman Christian College, who described the initiative as a “small but meaningful step” toward reclaiming a shared South Asian intellectual heritage. Rashid noted that Sanskrit is deeply rooted in the region’s history, pointing out that the renowned grammarian Panini lived in ancient Gandhara, located in present-day Pakistan.
LUMS officials say students initially found Sanskrit intimidating but soon grew fascinated by its logical structure and its deep influence on Urdu and other regional languages. Academic leaders believe this initiative could eventually produce Pakistani scholars of Sanskrit, the Gita, and the Mahabharata, marking a rare cultural bridge in the region.
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