From Egypt to India… on the wings of travel literature

This morning, I had the pleasure of attending the public defense held by Tongan Government College in Tirur, affiliated with the University of Calicut, Kerala, India. The defense was for Professor Mohamed Said, who successfully obtained his PhD for his dissertation on Egyptian travel literature about India since 1947, with a special reference to the works of Ashraf Aboul-Yazid. His study shed light on the development of this literary genre and its impact on cultural relations between Egypt and India.

The session was chaired by my friend, Dr. Yannam Ahmed Ibrahim, Professor and Head of the Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Arabic at The New College (Autonomous), Chennai, India. He provided academic commentary on the study and posed in-depth questions to the researcher. I had the honor of delivering a speech during the event, which I read live. Here is its text:

“First, I welcome the esteemed audience at Tongan Government College in Tirur, affiliated with the University of Calicut, Kerala, India, for the discussion of the doctoral dissertation of Professor Mohamed Said. His research explores the literary and cultural influences of Egyptian travel literature about India since 1947, with a special focus on the works of Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, in an analytical study. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Yannam Ahmed Ibrahim, the esteemed chair of the session, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier within the Indian academic circles, where we discussed various topics, including his interest in children’s literature.

Today, a new bridge is being built—rooted in serious research—to reinforce the strong ties between the Egyptian and Indian peoples. This mutual appreciation, reaching the level of admiration and even love, between two great nations with their civilizations and cultures, is a significant phenomenon that deserves profound respect.

This academic dissertation will open new horizons in this field of knowledge. I was honored when the University of Calicut previously included my novels in an academic study for a doctoral dissertation by researcher Sabina K., which was later published as a book titled: The Poetics of Narrative in the Novels of Ashraf Aboul-Yazid. Today, my gratitude is further enriched as scientific research, thanks to the distinguished scholar Mohamed Said, presents a unique vision of my travels in India, as well as my visits to its historical, religious, cultural, and academic landmarks.

In India, my works have been published in English and Malayalam, and I have written about the country in Arabic and English. I hope to have another opportunity to travel through India as the early Arab travelers once did, and I look forward to publishing a book about my journeys across the Indian subcontinent soon.

Today, I announce that Professor Mohamed Said’s dissertation will soon be published in Cairo as part of the Silk Road Creativity series, in recognition of his insightful research. This will add valuable content to the Arabic library, serving as a resource for researchers and a model of in-depth studies in this vital field.”

About the Dissertation

The dissertation is an analytical study consisting of an introduction, four main sections, and a conclusion.

Introduction:

The introduction provides a general overview of the research topic, an analysis of the title, a review of previous studies, the significance of the research, its problem statement, methodology, structure, and acknowledgments.

First Section: “Travel Literature in Egypt”

This section is divided into three chapters:

1. The emergence and development of travel literature.
2. The artistic value of travel literature.
3. Travel narratives by Egyptians.

Second Section: “Egyptian Travels to India Before 1947”

This section, also divided into three chapters, explores:

1. Egyptian journeys to India from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
2. Egyptian travels to India between 1900 and 1947.
3. An introduction to travel books and travelers.

Third Section: “Egyptian Travels to India Since 1947”

This section contains four chapters:

1. The objectives of travel and the factors contributing to its increase after 1947.
2. A description and analysis of travel books, including biographies of the travelers.
3. Imagology: Representations of the self and the other.
4. The impact of these travels on Arabic literature.

Fourth Section: “The Journeys of Poet and Novelist Ashraf Aboul-Yazid to India”

This section consists of four chapters:

1. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid: Life and works.
2. His relationship with India and his travels there.
3. Methodology and narrative techniques.
4. Themes in his travel texts.

Key Findings of the Research

After tracking and analyzing various travelogues, the researcher arrived at the following conclusions:

1. Egyptians have been traveling to India since the early 20th century, for various reasons, including tourism, hunting, leisure, politics, and academic and cultural missions. Some notable travel accounts include:

   • Ajala fi Rihlat al-Hind (A Brief Journey to India) by Sheikh Rashid Rida.
   • The Journey of Prince Youssef Kamal.
   • India As I Saw It by Fathallah Antaki.
   • My Journeys to the East by Mohamed Thabet.
   • The Journey of Hussein Fawzi.
   • Observations in India by Amina Said.
   • A Journey to India by Abdel Wahab Azzam.

2. The post-independence period (after 1947) witnessed a relative increase in Egyptian travel to India, coinciding with improved political stability and the establishment of the Egyptian embassy in India.

3. Key factors that contributed to this increase include:

   • The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
   • The collaboration of Nehru and Nasser in the Non-Aligned Movement.
   • The launch of journals like “Sawt Al-Sharq” (The Voice of the East) and “Al-Thaqafa” (Culture).
   • The establishment of the Maulana Azad Cultural Center.
   • Hosting scientific seminars, political conferences, and cultural festivals in India.
   • Media and journalism-related missions.

4. Scholarly exchanges also played a role in attracting Egyptian travelers to India, as Indian scholars traveled to Egypt for higher studies at Al-Azhar University and Cairo University.

5. Many travelogues emerged after 1947, including books, memoirs, blogs, articles, and serialized travel essays. Some notable ones include:

   • The New East by Hussein Haikal.
   • India: Secrets and Keys by Ihab El-Sherif.
   • My Journeys Around the World by Nawal El-Saadawi.
   • A New Journey to History by Mohamed Hassanein Heikal.
   • The History of Islam in India by Abdel Monem Al-Nemr.
   • The World in 200 Days by Anis Mansour.
   • Discovering a Continent by Youssef Idris.
   • A Traveler Returns from India by Abdel Monem El-Khafaji.
   • A Young Muslim’s Travels in India by Mohamed El-Gawadi.
   • A River on a Journey by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid.

On Ashraf Aboul-Yazid’s Contribution to Travel Literature

The researcher highlighted that Ashraf Aboul-Yazid has around 40 books across various genres, including novels, poetry, travel literature, biographies, translation, and children’s literature. His accounts of traveling to India are compiled in five extensive essays published in different magazines, two of which were included in his book A River on a Journey.

He also emphasized that Aboul-Yazid’s travel writing is distinguished by unique narrative techniques, including historical reenactment, deep cultural analysis, humor, and the integration of literary and journalistic styles.

Thank you to India and to its dedicated researcher, Mohamed Said!