Bhagavad Gita in Arabic: A rare publication by Hyderabad’s Dairatul Maarif

Dairatul Maarifil Osmania in Hyderabad preserves sacred Hindu texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana in Arabic and Persian. Founded by the Nizams, the institute promotes interfaith harmony and has gained global recognition for its rare scholarly contributions

Hyderabad: Can a Muslim institution be involved in preserving sacred Hindu texts? At a time when religious bigotry is on the rise, this might sound improbable.

Yet, Dairatul Maarifil Osmania, the prestigious Oriental Research Institute located on the Osmania University campus, is doing just that — and more.

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Founded in 1888 during the reign of the 6th Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha, Dairatul Maarif has long been a centre for the editing and publishing of rare Arabic manuscripts. Over the years, it has brought out 240 important titles running into 800 volumes. Among these is an Arabic translation of the Bhagavad Gita, the revered Hindu scripture.

This rare edition, titled ‘Al Kita’, was translated from Sanskrit to Arabic by Dr Makhan Lal Roy Choudhury of Calcutta University. The scholarly work was originally published in 1951 and later reprinted in 2016 under the Union Government’s Hamari Dharohar Scheme. With detailed introductions and annotations, the Arabic Gita is considered a significant work in comparative religious literature.

According to Prof SA Shukoor, director of Dairatul Maarif, the aim is to promote cultural and religious harmony through the preservation of ancient texts. The institution also holds a Persian version of the Ramayana, another example of its inclusive academic mission. Both texts are preserved using modern archival techniques.

Dr Choudhury is said to have translated the Gita during his academic tenure at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, under the guidance of Prof Muhammad Habib Ahmad. Dairatul Maarif supported the effort by providing funding and publishing assistance.

The Arabic Gita has generated interest among scholars across the globe and is in high demand in Middle Eastern countries. Copies have been distributed widely to aid research in comparative religion.

Former Law Minister Asif Pasha, who visited the institution recently, was deeply impressed by its commitment to interfaith scholarship. “In an age of increasing polarisation, Dairatul Maarif stands as a beacon of intellectual and cultural harmony,” he said.

Its initiative in preserving and sharing sacred texts from diverse traditions underscores the enduring power of knowledge to unite rather than divide, he said.