Aims & Scope — Faizan-e-Adab
(Quarterly Research Journal of Urdu & Persian Studies)
Faizan-e-Adab is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, and research-oriented quarterly journal devoted to advancing scholarship in Urdu and Persian studies. The journal seeks to strengthen the intellectual traditions of the subcontinent, broaden critical approaches to Urdu and Persian literature, and preserve the rich cultural and literary heritage associated with these languages. It serves as an academic platform for engaging with linguistic, cultural, historical, and comparative perspectives that shape the literary landscapes of South Asia and the wider Persianate world.
1. Scholarly Objectives
The primary aims of Faizan-e-Adab include:
- Promoting rigorous, evidence-based research on classical and modern Urdu and Persian literature.
- Re-examining the literary, cultural, and intellectual traditions of India, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and related regions.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary scholarship that explores the historical, philosophical, and cultural contexts of literary production.
- Supporting the rediscovery, documentation, and critical editing of manuscripts, rare texts, and neglected literary archives.
- Introducing the literary heritage of the subcontinent to global academia and situating it within contemporary critical discourse.
2. Interlingual & Intercultural Scope
Faizan-e-Adab is founded on the belief that literature transcends borders, ethnicities, and single linguistic identities. Therefore, the journal welcomes research that highlights:
- Literary interactions among Urdu, Persian, Hindi, Arabic, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Kashmiri, Balochi, and other South Asian languages.
- The historical and cultural significance of Indo-Persian literature and its impact on the pluralistic fabric of the Indian subcontinent.
- Comparative studies exploring cross-linguistic and cross-cultural literary exchanges.
- Translation studies, linguistic–cultural transmission, and the evolution of textual traditions.
The journal is particularly interested in papers that examine multilingual literary environments or explore the interconnected histories of South Asian and Persianate literatures.
3. New Literary Horizons
Recognizing that literature is a dynamic and evolving domain, Faizan-e-Adab embraces new directions in literary and cultural studies. The journal welcomes research in the following areas:
- Modern and contemporary literary criticism
- Postcolonial studies and identity discourse
- Feminist criticism, cultural studies, and diaspora studies
- Digital Humanities and emerging methods in textual analysis
- Calligraphy, visual arts, Sufi aesthetics, classical and contemporary performing arts
- Film, theatre, and the aesthetics of visual storytelling
The journal values essays that situate literary texts within broader artistic, cultural, philosophical, and socio-political frameworks.
4. Global Perspective & International Dialogue
One of the central objectives of Faizan-e-Adab is to connect Urdu and Persian literary scholarship with global academic conversations. In this spirit, the journal encourages contributions that:
- Examine the international reception and influence of Urdu and Persian literature.
- Analyze research trends in universities and institutes worldwide.
- Explore the global dissemination of Indo-Persian literary culture.
- Investigate the literary production of diaspora communities and their evolving role in the contemporary literary scene.
The journal aspires to serve as a bridge between South Asian literary traditions and global scholarship.
5. Supplementary Scholarly Contributions
Faizan-e-Adab is not limited to research articles alone. It also welcomes:
- Book reviews and review essays
- Critical essays on eminent scholars, poets, and literary figures
- Annotated translations of important texts
- Research notes, archival material, and documentary studies
- Scholarly dialogues and interviews
These supplementary contributions enrich the journal’s scope and serve as valuable resources for researchers, students, and academicians.