Transnational Mediations: Western Women Scholars and the Reimagining of Urdu Literature, Sufism, and Cultural Histories
Md. Samiul Azim
Md. Akidul Hoque
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16536086
Abstract. This article critically examines the transformative yet contested contributions of Western women scholars to Urdu Studies from the 20th century onward, exploring their role in redefining Urdu literature, Sufism, and cultural historiography. Focusing on figures such as Annemarie Schimmel, Frances Pritchett, and Carla Petievich, the study employs textual analysis, archival research, and comparative frameworks to argue that these scholars bridged Euro-American and South Asian intellectual traditions, globalizing Urdu’s cultural legacy while navigating postcolonial critiques of epistemic appropriation. Their translations of classical ghazals, feminist rereading of reformist texts, and recuperation of marginalized voices expanded the field’s scope, yet their work remains entangled in debates about neo-Orientalist romanticization, methodological nationalism, and the ethics of cross-cultural representation. By interrogating tensions between innovation and asymmetry, the article reveals how their scholarship democratized access to Urdu texts while inadvertently reinforcing epistemic hierarchies. It concludes by advocating for decolonial methodologies—collaborative praxis, digital reconfigurations, and the integration of indigenous epistemes—to address the field’s colonial legacies and foster ethical transnational dialogues. The research underscores the necessity of reimagining comparative frameworks through a lens of “critical intimacy”, balancing Urdu’s particularity with its global resonances.
Keywords. Western women scholars, Urdu Studies, transnational mediation, postcolonial critique, feminist scholarship, Sufi hermeneutics.
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Md Samiul Azim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Gazole Mahavidyalaya, Malda, West Bengal, India. He has research interests in Postcolonial writings, Indian English writings, and gender studies. He has contributed to many National and International Journals and Books.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1923-083X
Email: azimpremji40@gmail.com samiul@gmg.ac.in
Md. Akidul Hoque is an Assistant Professor in Political Science at Gazole Mahavidyalaya, Malda, West Bengal, India. With over a decade of teaching experience, his research interest encompasses gender studies, social justice, and identity politics, showcasing a diverse and interdisciplinary approach. He has contributed to books and journals, offering critical insights into his areas of expertise.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3066-1057
Email: akidul@gmg.ac.in
Transnational Mediations: Western Women Scholars and the Reimagining of Urdu Literature, Sufism, and Cultural Histories © 2025 by Md. Samiul Azim Md. Akidul Hoque is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
