On the Eve of the 70th Anniversary of the First Iranian Cultural House in Mumbai

Specialized Training Workshop on “Reading Persian Coins, Historical Documents, Records, and Manuscripts in India”

Persian language and literature in India are regarded as a priceless treasure, a shining jewel among the country’s diverse languages and dialects. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the first Iranian Cultural House in the world, and at the official request of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Mumbai, a one-day specialized training workshop titled“Reading Persian Coins, Historical Documents, Records, and Manuscripts in India”was held on 15 November 2025.

The workshop took place in two sessions—morning and afternoon—at the University of Mumbai’s Study Center Auditorium and the J.P. Naik Auditorium. Distinguished guests included:

• Mr. Hassan Mohseni Fard, Acting Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai
• Mr. Mohammad Reza Fazel, Cultural Attaché and Head of the Iranian Cultural House in Mumbai
• Dr. Sakina Khan, Head of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Mumbai
• Dr. Lakshmi Suravi, Head of the Department of History, University of Mumbai
• Dr. Pushkar Soni, Professor, Institute of Educational and Scientific Studies, Pune

The event was conducted in a scholarly atmosphere with enthusiastic participation from students, researchers, and faculty members.

Morning Session

The program opened with a welcome address by Dr. Sakina Khan, who expressed her delight at the presence of Mr. Mohammad Reza Fazel. She highlighted the role of the Department of Persian Language and Literature and acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Iranian Cultural House in organizing the workshop. She emphasized that without the support and encouragement of the Cultural House, such initiatives would not have been possible.

Bouquets and plaques of appreciation were presented to the guests and professors.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Mohammad Reza Fazel underscored the importance of the workshop in reviving the shared heritage of Iran and India. He noted that the 70th anniversary of the Cultural House and the 62nd year of the Persian Department at the University of Mumbai provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation. He remarked:

“Historical documents, manuscripts, and coins in Persian are not only historical treasures but also enduring symbols of the deep and ancient ties between Iran and India.”

He also referred to India’sNational Education Policy 2020, highlighting the proposal to establish aNational Institute of Persian Languageas a significant step toward institutionalizing Persian studies. He outlined the activities of the Iranian Cultural House in Mumbai, including Persian language classes, scholarships, study tours to Iran, cultural festivals, seminars, and exhibitions—all aimed at promoting Persian language and culture.

Paper Presentations and Workshops

Following the keynote, participants engaged in specialized sessions:

• Dr. Mary Nalini Pathak, Head and Researcher at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai, presented insights into the museum’s collection of Persian manuscripts and coins, along with notes on Indian miniature paintings.
• Mr. Nikhil Dixit, a researcher and visiting professor in the Persian Department, University of Mumbai, delivered a paper on“Reading Persian-Arabic Coins of India during the Gurkha Dynasty.”Participants received kits with coin images and practiced reading inscriptions.
• Mr. Nikhil Paranjape, a renowned manuscript researcher and visiting professor, guided participants in reading ancient Persian documents and texts preserved in India.

The closing session was graced by Mr. Hassan Mohseni Fard, Acting Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai. Welcomed warmly by Dr. Sakina Khan, he expressed his joy at attending the workshop and emphasized the spiritual depth of Persian and Hindi, describing them as “languages of light, guidance, and emotion.”

He praised India’sNational Education Policy 2020for officially recognizing Persian as one of the classical languages of India, calling it a promising step in preserving civilizational heritage. He further noted:

“Certificates awarded today are not mere tokens of attendance; they symbolize a commitment to our shared heritage, binding hearts and minds across generations.”

Dr. Pushkar Soni then presented his paper on“The Impact of Iranian Architecture in India,”drawing on his research and academic experience, including his tenure at the University of Vienna.

Certificates and plaques of appreciation were distributed to participants by Mr. Hossein Mohseni Fard and Mr. Mohammad Reza Fazel, marking the grand finale of a workshop that celebrated Persian heritage in India while paving the way for future academic and cultural collaborations.

Workshop Highlights

• Venue: University of Mumbai (Study Center Auditorium & J.P. Naik Auditorium)
• Sessions: Morning and Afternoon
• Key Presentations:
• Persian manuscripts at CSMVS Museum – Dr. Mary Nalini Pathak
• Persian-Arabic coins of India – Mr. Nikhil Dixit
• Historical Persian documents and inscriptions – Mr. Nikhil Paranjape
• Iranian architectural influence in India – Dr. Pushkar Soni
• All papers were presented using PowerPoint for clarity and engagement.