Srinagar, Jun 20 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday described Kashmir as a vital bridge between Indian knowledge systems and the Arab world, asserting that Sanskrit texts from the Valley were translated into Arabic and played a pivotal role in shaping global intellectual traditions.
Inaugurating the Nalanda Dialogue-2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), LG Sinha highlighted Kashmir’s historic role as a premier centre of learning that attracted scholars from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond.
“Kashmir was once a major centre of knowledge. People travelled from distant lands to acquire learning here. Scholars from Afghanistan and other regions came to study Sanskrit and various branches of knowledge before carrying that learning to different parts of the world,” LG Sinha said.
The LG underscored the civilisational bond between Kashmir and Nalanda, which he described as two of the world’s most influential knowledge hubs shaping philosophical, scientific, and cultural discourse.
Recalling the glory of ancient Nalanda, LG Sinha said its famed nine-storey library symbolises India’s rich knowledge tradition and its contribution to global civilisation.
“Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramshila, and other ancient institutions were not merely centres of education but global hubs of learning that attracted scholars from different parts of the world,” he noted.
LG Sinha said Kashmir was home to Sharada Peeth, one of the most respected centres of learning in the ancient world, and played a crucial role in the transmission of knowledge.
“Sanskrit texts were translated into Arabic and important streams of Indian knowledge reached the Arab world through these exchanges. Kashmir served as an important bridge connecting different intellectual traditions,” he said.
Referring to India’s contribution to mathematics and science, Sinha said the concept of zero travelled from India to Baghdad through ancient knowledge networks and later reached Europe, profoundly influencing scientific and mathematical thought.
“The journey of knowledge from India to Baghdad and then to Europe illustrates the extraordinary reach of our civilisational wisdom,” he said.
The LG called for reviving the spirit that once connected different regions through knowledge and cultural exchange, adding that governance becomes more humane when guided by wisdom and ethics.
Expressing satisfaction that the dialogue was being held in Srinagar, LG Sinha said the city possesses a rich legacy of scholarship and intellectual engagement.
“There was a time when ideas moved freely across regions and civilisations. Forums such as the Nalanda Dialogue are helping revive that spirit,” he said.
Emphasising India’s growing global influence, Sinha said the country must strengthen its soft power and cultural diplomacy by showcasing its civilisational strengths.
“When India’s youth engage with and promote the country’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage, our soft power becomes stronger. India’s civilisational traditions remain among its greatest strengths,” he added. (KNS)
