Although Persian Language is not our regional language, the language and its literature and culture have been intimately entwined with this region since ages. According to the historians, between 1500 BCE to 1100 BCE a group of Aryans entered Persia (present day Iran) through Samarkand and Bukhara and another group entered Indian subcontinent through Khyber mountain pass. From this period onwards Aryans established social, cultural and lingual relations between Persia and Indian subcontinent. The similarities between Persian Language and the ancient languages of Indian subcontinent are symbols of the cultural and linguistic relations between these two nations.
On the other hand, in 1203 CE after Muslims had conquered Bengal and established regime they used Persian as the administrative language for this region. Since then through Mughal period and till the first eighty years of the ruling of British East-India Company, for about 650 years Persian language remained the official language for Indian subcontinent. Bengali language especially its rich vocabulary has been influenced by different languages. Among them, Persian language is a dominant contributor whereas Persian linguistic elements and its influence are abundantly observed in Bengali language and literature. The deep influence of Persian language on the Bengali language is well understood from its wide influence and spread. Persian contribution to Bengali vocabulary boasts of versatility; words for different subject matters like justice, war, hunting, law and order, revenue, administration, religion and culture, literature and heritage, arts and music, natures, and every day sayings.
Beyond our vocabulary Persian language has spread its wings over literature, history, philosophy and other branches of arts and culture of this region. Numerous poets and literary figures of Bengali language were heavily influenced by their counterparts of Persian language. The influence of Persian language was so heavily felt on the Bengali culture, literature, and language that in 1837 November 21 President of the council of India enforced an ordinance (No. XX1X.1837 CE) forbidding the use of Persian language as the official language of the then India. In Indian subcontinent the Persian language literary movement saw a revival with the establishment of the University of Dhaka with a separate department named 'Persian and Urdu' in 1921 CE. The Persian Department was among the twelve departments first established when the University of Dhaka started its journey. Initially called the Department of Persian and Urdu, the department was headed by Professor Fida Ali Khan. In the year of 2006, the Persian and Urdu Department was separated into two independent departments and the Persian department was named Department of Persian Language and Literature to accommodate the growing interest among students and further expansion of focused research on Persian language and literature.
Syllabus of the department includes thoughts of humanitarian branches like morality, history and heritage, the department teaches the humanitarian thoughts like morality, history and heritage, self-purification and reflection in the works of famous Persian literary figures like Ferdowsi, Hafiz, Khayyam, Attar, Nizami, Jami, Rumi, Amir Khusrow and Imam Khomeini. Besides delving into Persian works the syllabus also includes both Bangladesh studies and English to make the students ready for today's local and global challenges. The department offers a four-year B.A. (Honours) course, a yearlong M.A. programme, a two years M. Phil, and a four years Ph.D. programme.
The Master's degree is offered to those with a four years Honours degree while the M. Phil programme requires one-year course work followed by a thesis resulting from the student's research work. A minimum qualification is required for applying for the degrees of M. Phil and Ph.D. Completion of these degrees require the candidates to defend their theses successfully.
The Department has a seminar library with a large book collection in Persian, Bengali, English and other languages published in Iran, Bangladesh and other countries. The department publishes a research journal named The Dhaka University Journal of Persian in Persian language. Every year ‘Abeda Hafiz Gold Medal’ is awarded to the student who obtains first position in the M.A. examination. It is mentionable that recently a trust fund captioned ‘Professor Dr. Kulsoom Abul Bashar Majumdar Trust Fund’ has been formed in the department for the meritorious students.
Meritorious students are sent abroad for higher education and training. Students of this department are involved in various social and cultural activities, and after completing their education are successfully making their marks with excellent humanitarian and moral values in their respective work places. With the increase in interests among literary enthusiasts and the expansion of humanitarian influences across practical fields, the department is expanding gradually while the number of applicants is increasing every year.
The department organizes orientation for fresher’s and farewell for terminals, annual Study tour and picnics, sports and other extracurricular activities. The department also organizes varies types of seminars, symposiums, literary gatherings and poetic evenings.
The department publishes annually a journal named the Dhaka University Journal of Persian, the 5th volume of which has been published by 2011.