Deccan Region was neglected in the history of India to a larger extent. If there are one hundred books on the Moghal Emperors, there is only one book written on the history of the Deccan. In this context, Deccan studies Center is a ray of hope and it is expected that under this Center, serious research work on the Deccan and the history of Deccan will be carried out in the future under Urdu University.
These thoughts were expressed by the noted British Historian William Dalrymple while delivering his inaugural lecture on “The syncretic civilization of the Deccan” on the occasion of the inauguration of Center of Deccan Studies in Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad which has been named after the noted historian of the Deccan, Prof. Haroon Khan Sherwani.
Named after the famous historian of the Deccan Prof. Haroon Khan Sherwani Mr. Rymple in his lecture told that if the syncretic civilization is deep rooted anywhere in India, it is more so in the Deccan rather than the Mughal civilization. But he lamented that it has not been presented in an unbiased and objective manner in history. He refuted the thoughts of V.S. Naipal about Vijayanagaram Kingdom as based on presumptions. He also told that Islamic monuments were present in the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagaram. Many historians have quoted this fact in the later research.
Citing the example of Syncretic Civilization of the Deccan, Mr. Dalrymple told that in Delhi, Islamic Civilization was predominant but Syncretic Civilization was so deep-rooted in Hyderabad that it was difficult for anyone to identify the Hindus and the Muslims by the garments they wore.
The participation of the Hindus in the festivals of the Muslims was very common.
Quoting the noted historian, Ghulam Husain Khan, Mr. Dalrymple said that in the mourning procession, the Muslims used to participate by covering their bodies with the skins of animals, which is the exclusively impact of the rituals and the traditions of the Hindus. On the other hand, the Hindus used to participate in the mourning procession of Moharrum bare-footed as a mark of respect. This civilization met with a decline after the “Operation Polo” popularly known as “Police Action“ on Hyderabad in September 1948.
A large number of the elites migrated to other countries from the Deccan after this incident.
Referring to Jacquline Kennedy, Mr. Dalrymple told that the civilization of the Deccan was very exalted and sophisticated which couldn’t retain its identity with the passing of time. Many pleasant phases of history are vanishing now, but it is not too late to reconstruct them.
He expressed his best wishes for the “Center for Deccan Studies” of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad.
He expressed the hope that serious and sincere research work would be carried out in this Center on various and varied topics of the history of Deccan.
Earlier, Honorary Director of the Center for Deccan Studies, Dr. Salma Farooqui welcomed the guest and the audience. She told that this Center would encompass the history of the three states namely; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharastra.
Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Prof. Mohammed Miyan in his presidential address told that there will be serious and valuable research work in the Center for Deccan Studies. He assured the people of the Deccan that during the remaining tenure of his office as Vice Chancellor, he would try his level best to promote the research activities of this Center.
Prof. Mohammed Suleman Siddiqui, former Vice Chancellor of Osmania University and presently holding the Maulana Azad chair of Urdu University introduced the guest speaker.
Dr. Faheem Akhtar Nadvi, Assistant Professor of Islamic studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University started the inaugural function with the recitation of the Quranic verses.
Mr. Abdi Abdul Wasay, Public Relations Officer of Urdu University, conducted the inaugural function in a very excellent manner. The luminaries who attended the inaugural function include Mr. J.M. Lingdoh, former Election Commissioner, Mr. Syed Turabul Hasan, IAS (Rtd), Mr. Narender Luther, IAS (Rtd) Mr. Jannath Husain, IAS (Rtd), Chief Information Commissioner, Dr. Vasanth Kumar Bava, IAS (Rtd), Padmashree Ms. Jeelani Banu, noted Urdu novelist, Ms. Indira Dhanrajgirji, Urdu poetess and writer, Prof. Fatima Ali Khan, former Head of the Department of Geography, Osmania University Prof. Ashraf Rafee, former Head of the Department of Urdu of Osmania University and many others.
—Siasat News