THE CONTRIBUTION OF PROFESSOR SYEDA MEHRUNNISA TO THE REVIVAL OF ARAB HERITAGE

إسهامات أ.د. سيدة مهر النساء في إحياء التراث العربي

Abstract

This study examines academic career and substantial contributions of Mehrunnisa, a pioneering scholar from Hyderabad, India, in the fields of Arabic language education and the preservation of Arabic heritage. Her remarkable academic excellence is highlighted by the attainment of two Gold Medals from Osmania University (B.A. in 1948 and M.A. in 1950), confirming her outstanding mastery of Arabic Literature. The research details her influential administrative and academic roles at Osmania University, where she chaired the Department of Arabic for two terms (1972–1979 and 1983–1985) and served as Director of Dairatul Ma'arifil Osmania  from 1985 to 1988. During her leadership, she spearheaded major structural and curricular reforms designed to elevate the standards of Arabic teaching. These reforms included the introduction of Modern Standard Arabic, mandating Arabic-English translation, and comprehensively revising syllabi for Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate programs. Furthermore, the study sheds light on her crucial role in academic mentorship, supervising the completion of five Ph.D. and twenty-two M.Phil.,/M.A. dissertations. Her scholarly output also features significant manuscript authentication and editing work, most notably the critical edition of "Nuzhat al-A’yun al-Nawāẓir fī ‘Ilm al-Wujūh wa al-Naẓā’ir" by Ibn al-Jawzī, published by the Dairatul  Ma’arifil Osmania (1974, 1989). In conclusion, this paper establishes Mehrunnisa's legacy as a leading academic and cultural conservator whose dedicated efforts profoundly influenced and advanced Arabic scholarship and education in modern India.