From the middle of the fifth century to the fourteenth century (AH), the works and views of Iranian philosophers have had a noteworthy presence in the scientific centers of the Indian sub-continent. Mīr Dāmād’s philosophical thoughts created the turning point in this hi
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From the middle of the fifth century to the fourteenth century (AH), the works and views of Iranian philosophers have had a noteworthy presence in the scientific centers of the Indian sub-continent. Mīr Dāmād’s philosophical thoughts created the turning point in this historical presence. After their transfer to India, his works and views were disseminated all over the sub-continent through textual traditions. The spread of his writings and thoughts, in addition to the turmoil it created in academic centers, divided Indian philosophical figures into two groups of opponents and proponents of Mīr Dāmād and led to some extensive discussions among them based on the book al-Ufuq al-mubīn, including the notions of simple creation of quiddity, origination through perpetual duration, types of simple questions, the liar paradox, etc. In this paper, while providing a brief account of textual traditions in India, the authors will demonstrate that seminary philosophy in this land was in close interaction with Mīr Dāmād’s philosophical thoughts from the mid-11th century to the end of the 12th century (AH). In doing so, some of the prominent philosophers of India during these two centuries are introduced; their station in textual traditions is clarified; their relationship with Mīr Dāmād’s thoughts regarding various philosophical subjects are explained and, finally, the geographical spread of Mīr Dāmād’s thoughts across the subcontinent are analyzed. Next, they will show that the spread of this presence in the subcontinent is much larger than it has been imagined in the contemporary period. Here, by India, the subcontinent, and South Asia, the authors mean the historical borders of this land before 1947 AD, which entailed the present geographical area of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and some regions in Afghanistan.
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