The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature at LUMS held its Annual Conference 2026, titled “The Mughals: Their Past, Our Present,” convening leading scholars, researchers, artists, and practitioners to explore the enduring impact of the Mughal legacy on modern South Asia. Marking nearly five centuries of Mughal history, the two-day event delved into how the Mughal era continues to shape contemporary discussions on culture, identity, governance, language, and artistic expression.
Conference Themes and Panels
Through a series of academic panels and discussions, participants engaged with themes including political thought, literary traditions, visual culture, architecture, law, regional histories, and material heritage. The conference highlighted the Mughal era not merely as a historical period but as a living intellectual and cultural legacy that informs present-day debates on pluralism, sovereignty, and collective memory.
Keynote Address by Professor Jamal J. Elias
A key highlight was the keynote address by Professor Jamal J. Elias, titled “A Voice Like Persian: Maulana Rumi and Nostalgia for a Literary Past.” Moderated by Professor Nomanul Haq, the lecture examined the enduring relevance of Rumi in South Asia and reflected on how Persian literary traditions continue to influence contemporary cultural imagination. The address also explored questions of language, identity, and cultural memory in a postcolonial context.
Commitment to Humanities Scholarship
Organized by the Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature, the conference reaffirmed LUMS’ commitment to advancing critical scholarship in the humanities and fostering meaningful engagement with the region’s rich intellectual and cultural traditions.
