The Status of Persian Language and Culture in Indian Peninsula

Iran and India have long enjoyed extensive relations on different grounds including cultural, linguistic, religious, artistic and trade ones. Such relations date back to Aryans' migration when the two nations formed the Indo-Iranian branch and had the same language, culture and ethnic origin. Having resided in two different regions over time, the two nations adopted different sets of behavior. However, the common cultural, linguistic and ethnic foundations remained the same. Since then, common mythologies as well as writings have emerged. As the Achemenid, Ashkani and Sasanid dynasties were established, the linguistic and ethnic relations of the two nations received a high prominence. After Islam, these ties developed documented by historians especially after the seizure of India by Mahmood Ghaznavi (329 A.H.) during the Ghaznavian era. Consequently, Persian was regarded as one of the most important language in the Indian peninsula. The migration rate among Iranians to India increased during the 8th century (A.H.) and the scope of influence of Persian language and culture got to its climax from Teymorian Period. During the Safavid's dynasty, a great number of Iranian poets and intellectuals migrated to India so that the status of Persian language in India achieved more prominence than that of Safavid's capital, Isfahan. Persian language as well as Iranian and Islamic culture was the official language of the Indian kings and courts. As the British colonizers expanded their influence in India, Persian language was gradually replaced by English. As a result, such a valuable and common heritage lost its power in less than a century. The present article is a library research based on documentation. The writer reviews the historical trends of Persian language and its cultural influence in Indian peninsula, indicating its rise and fall. Furthermore, the common linguistic, mythological and ceremonial features are scrutinized followed by several historical documents presentedto prove the claims made.