In a landmark move bridging cultural divides, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has launched the first formal Sanskrit course since the 1947 Partition, drawing enthusiastic crowds and plans for deeper dives into epics like the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata. This initiative highlights Pakistans rich pre-Partition heritage, with ancient Sanskrit manuscripts long tucked away in local libraries now poised for fresh scholarly attention.​

What began as a low-key three-month weekend session for students, academics, and professionals quickly outgrew expectations, evolving into a credited four-unit university program at LUMSs Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature. Classes cover Sanskrit grammar, inspirational subhashitas (wisdom sayings), and fun cultural nods, such as dissecting the Urdu rendition of the iconic Mahabharata TV theme. Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi, the centres director, aims to expand this into year-round courses by spring 2027, including dedicated modules on the Mahabharata and Gita.​

Leading the charge is Dr. Shahid Rasheed, a Forman Christian College sociology professor who taught himself Sanskrit via online mentors from Cambridge and Australia, building on his fluency in Arabic and Persian. Students have been thrilled to uncover Sanskrits imprints in everyday Urdu vocabulary, challenging misconceptions that its solely a Hindi cousin. Rasheed frames it as a cultural monument native to the region—from Paninis ancient grammar roots to Indus Valley links—declaring, It is ours too, free from religious boundaries.​

This revival taps into Pakistans vast, cataloged Sanskrit archives from the 1930s, largely sidelined post-Partition, potentially empowering local experts to explore them anew. It aligns with LUMSs diverse offerings in Sindhi, Pashto, and Arabic, celebrating shared South Asian literary legacies. As Rasheed envisions mutual exchanges—like Indians studying Arabic—such efforts signal subtle steps toward healing subcontinental rifts through language and lore.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.