The International Persian Summer School conceptualised by University of Gottingen, Germany has started today in the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute to study and decipher the largest collection of manuscripts dated back to 1406 A.D.
This five day school focusing on “ Reading and Analysing indo-Persian Records” is providing the opportunity to 30 scholars from foreign universities like Harvard University , Michigan university ,California University, Poland university ,Tehran University and Universities of Germany ,Singapore etc. To explore the lakhs of Persian Manuscripts pertain to Bahmani, Adil Shahi,Qutb Shahi, Mughals and Asaf Jahi dynasties. Prof. Eva Orthamann, Head of the Department, Iranian Studies, University of Gottingen, Germany, the coordinator and Convenor of the programme, said that the Telangana State Archives has unmatchable huge records of medieval history which is difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
The Dr. Zareena Parveen , Director ,State Archives who is an expert of ornamental Persian took the classes, explained and trained the scholar about the deciphering techniques of the Manuscripts which are as much as 4 feet long in length. She said the Telangana State Archives has the honour of the having 43 million of documents out of which ninety percent of the records are in Persian and Urdu languages, which is the largest quantum in India.
The scholars found the manuscripts amazing and showed the interest to study it on the remaining days. The classes were on the topics of Sigilliography, Legend System, Forgeries, conservation and preservation and Enemies of Records etc.
