Urdu is widely recognized as the representative language of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It holds the status of an official and national language in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and serves as the lingua franca among its three linguistically distinct regions - Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. With its rich literary heritage and cultural depth, Urdu continues to captivate and inspire people across the region and beyond. Globally, it is one of the most widely spoken languages of South Asia and maintains a significant presence among diaspora communities in the UK, US, and UAE, particularly among Muslims from Pakistan and North India.
The Department of Urdu, South Campus functions as an extension of the main Urdu Department at the University of Kashmir, established in 1958. As one of the university's founding departments, it holds a prestigious place in the academic history of the institution. Notably, it was the first Urdu department among Indian universities to be recognized under the University Grants Commission’s Department of Special Assistance (DSA) scheme. Over the years, the department has achieved several distinctions:
- First department of the University to celebrate both Silver and Golden Jubilees.
- Only department from which two faculty members went on to serve as Vice-Chancellors.
- First department to have a faculty member appointed as a Union Minister.
- Highest number of faculty publications since its inception.
Recognizing the need to expand Urdu’s academic and cultural footprint, the University of Kashmir established the Department of Urdu at South Campus on October 13, 2014, under the guidance of Prof. Bashir Ahmad Nehvi, a distinguished scholar. The department started with an intake of 52 students (40 under open merit and 12 under self-finance), which grew to 57 in 2015.
The department offers a two-year M.A. program in Urdu, structured across four semesters. The curriculum is rich and inclusive, covering major literary genres and theoretical frameworks—both classical and modern, eastern and western. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive literary study, critical thinking, and academic research.
