Urdu Encyclopaedia of Islam: A History of Translation and Scholarship
The Urdu Encyclopaedia of Islam represents a monumental effort to make comprehensive Islamic knowledge accessible to the Urdu-speaking world. This ambitious project focused on translating the renowned Encyclopedia of Islam (the Leiden Encyclopaedia) into Urdu, while simultaneously refining and expanding the original content to ensure accuracy and depth.
The Origins and Vision of the Project
Initiated in the 1950s at the University of the Punjab, the project was led by the scholar Muhammad Shafi. The goal was not merely a literal translation; the editorial board actively amended, corrected, and added new information to the Leiden text to enhance its value for its target audience.
Originally titled Urdu Da’ira Ma’arif-i-Islamiya, the publication plan was highly structured. Shafi and his colleagues envisioned a work spanning between 20 and 22 volumes. To maintain a high standard of visual reference, they planned for approximately one hundred illustrations per volume, with a target publication rate of four volumes per year.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Challenges and Resumption of Work
The project faced significant setbacks following the death of Muhammad Shafi in 1963. At that time, only one volume had been published (released in February 1954), with a second volume currently in press. The loss of leadership, combined with a critical lack of funding, caused work on the encyclopaedia to stall for several years.
The project remained dormant until 1971, when it was revitalized through a grant from the Asia Foundation. This financial support allowed the editorial team to resume their work, leading to the completion of volumes 10 and 12 by 1973. By 1985, the project had expanded its scope, successfully publishing 21 out of a revised plan of 25 volumes.
Key Facts
- Lead Figure: Muhammad Shafi.
- Institution: University of the Punjab.
- Source Text: The Leiden Encyclopaedia (Encyclopedia of Islam).
- Original Title: Urdu Da’ira Ma’arif-i-Islamiya.
- First Volume Published: February 1954.
- Funding Source: The Asia Foundation (resumed work in 1971).
- Final Progress: 21 of 25 planned volumes published by 1985.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 1950s |
| Original Volume Target | 20 to 22 volumes |
| Revised Volume Target | 25 volumes |
| Illustrations | ~100 per volume |
| Status by 1985 | 21 volumes published |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary purpose of the Urdu Encyclopaedia of Islam?
The primary purpose was to translate the Leiden Encyclopaedia (Encyclopedia of Islam) into Urdu, while amending and adding to the text to provide a comprehensive Islamic reference work in the Urdu language.
Who led the project at the University of the Punjab?
The project was led by Muhammad Shafi, who oversaw the initial planning and the publication of the first volume.
Why did the project stop between 1963 and 1971?
Work stalled due to the death of Muhammad Shafi in 1963 and a subsequent lack of necessary funding.
How was the project eventually restarted?
The project resumed in 1971 after receiving a grant from the Asia Foundation.
How many volumes were eventually published?
By 1985, 21 volumes had been published out of a planned total of 25.