When a Hindu Scholar Translated the Quran: Bridges Between Sanskrit and Arabic Sacred Languages

Thisepisode examines the historical and semantic dimensions of translating the Holy Qur'an into Sanskrit, focusing primarily on a 1945 rendering of Sūrat al-Fātiḥa by the Hindu scholar Gunderao Harkare. The author, Cemil Kutlutürk, explores how Harkare utilised classical Sanskrit terminology and Indian philosophical concepts to express Islamic tenets such as the oneness of God, the Day of Judgement, and divine mercy. By bridging these two distinct linguistic and religious worlds, the study highlights how terms like Paramatman and dharma were employed to make the Qur'anic message intelligible within a Hindu cultural framework. Prof. Kutlutürk also provides a broader historical context, tracing the evolution of Qur'an translations in India from the ninth century through the influential efforts of the Hyderabad Nizamate. Ultimately, the research aims to foster a deeper understanding of Hindu-Muslim intellectual relations through the lens of comparative linguistics and religious studies. This academic contribution is noted for being the first of its kind within Turkish literature, offering a unique perspective on the cross-cultural transmission of sacred texts.