LAHORE: Punjab University’s Department of History and Pakistan Studies organised a seminar highlighting the historical and cultural legacy of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur and proposed commemorating the 500th anniversary of the establishment of Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent.
The department described the anniversary as an important opportunity to promote historical dialogue, interdisciplinary research and scholarly exchanges between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other countries connected through the region’s shared civilizational heritage.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, Department of History and Pakistan Studies Chairperson Prof Dr Rukhsana Iftikhar, visiting professors from various Uzbek universities, faculty members, researchers and students attended the event.
Addressing the seminar, Prof Dr Rukhsana Iftikhar highlighted Babur’s historical and cultural legacy in Pakistan and underlined the importance of examining the Mughal period through primary sources and contemporary historical scholarship.
Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain thanked the Uzbek academics for participating in the programme and contributing to scholarly engagement between the two countries.
The department proposed a series of activities to mark the 500th anniversary, including lectures by distinguished historians, research presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions of manuscripts and historical photographs, and academic activities involving students.
Organisers said the proposed commemorative programme could provide a valuable platform for engaging with contemporary historiography and encouraging young researchers to reassess the Mughal period through evidence-based and interdisciplinary approaches.
Following the seminar, the Uzbek delegation met Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali.
During the meeting, the vice chancellor emphasised the importance of international academic collaboration in advancing research excellence, encouraging innovation and strengthening universities’ engagement with the global academic community.
Both sides discussed the potential for deeper academic cooperation and scholarly exchanges, particularly in history, culture and areas of shared intellectual heritage.
