Irfan Habib Reveals The Secret Origins of the Urdu Language | Rekhta Rubaru

Irfan Habib Reveals The Secret Origins of the Urdu Language | Rekhta Rubaru . One historian, and a walk through 700 years of Indian history in a single conversation. Join us for an extraordinary episode of "Rubaru" as the legendary historian Professor Irfan Habib sits down with Moid Rasheedi to peel back the layers of Indian history. From the pained memories of the 1947 Partition to the poetic brilliance of Amir Khusrau and the visionary leadership of Akbar, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding the soul of India. Habib reflects on the 1947 Partition, the Lahore Resolution and the climate in Aligarh at the time, with a clear warning about not letting religion compromise the nation's future. He recalls Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's 1949 AMU convocation speech and the promise that preserved the university's character. He calls Amir Khusrau India's first patriotic poet, and traces how Hindavi was once a general term for non-Persian Indian languages before Persian reshaped its structure in the Mughal courts. There's much more. Akbar as a ruler who moved among common people and abolished the slave trade. The Urdu vs Hindi debate and Gandhi's idea of Hindustani. Dara Shikoh's translation of the Upanishads. And a critical look at Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, his loyalty to the British and his work in education and Indian archaeology. . Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet the Legendary Historian Irfan Habib 00:04:00 Eyewitness Accounts of the 1947 Partition 00:06:00 The Speech That Saved Aligarh Muslim University 00:13:00 Amir Khusrau: The Poet Who Defined Indian Patriotism First 00:25:00 The Surprising Evolution of Hindavi to Urdu 00:32:00 Why Akbar the Great Banned Slavery in India 00:51:00 Nehru’s Secret Battle to Protect Urdu 00:55:00 Dara Shikoh’s Obsession With the Upanishads 01:01:00 The Complicated Legacy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan . About Jashn-e-Rekhta Jashn-e-Rekhta is the world’s largest cultural festival celebrating the beauty, depth, and living spirit of the Urdu language. Held annually, it brings together poets, musicians, writers, thinkers, and artists from across the world to create a space of poetry, music, conversations, and storytelling. From soul-stirring mushairas and spellbinding musical evenings to intimate dialogues and immersive cultural experiences, the festival is where language turns into emotion and heritage finds a contemporary voice. More than a festival, Jashn-e-Rekhta is a movement that keeps Urdu alive, relevant, and deeply connected across generations. . #irfanhabib #rubaru #jashnerekhta #urduhistory #amirkhusrau #indianhistory #mughalhistory . About Rekhta Foundation: Rekhta Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Urdu language and its rich literary and cultural legacy. Through digital archives, learning platforms, publications, festivals, and community initiatives, the Foundation works to make Urdu accessible and meaningful for audiences worldwide. By bridging classical traditions with modern platforms and voices, Rekhta Foundation ensures that the language continues to inspire, connect, and evolve with time. . IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Rekhta Foundation. All rights reserved. Unauthorised downloading, clipping, re-uploading, or reuse of this content (audio/video/visuals) is strictly prohibited without written permission. . External Links: Website: https://rekhta.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jashnerekhtaofficial/ Rekhta Books: https://rekhtabooks.com/ Rekhta Learning: https://rekhtalearning.com/