Persian played a crucial role in connecting diverse communities in the Indian subcontinent, similar to English today. It fostered a shared identity, integrating the region into the broader world of Greater Iran.
The Indian subcontinent produced a vast amount of Persian literature, exceeding Iran's output before the 19th century. This included poetry, histories, and scientific works, authored by people of all faiths. Persian was also used for religious expression, particularly in Sufi literature.
Interaction with local elements led to the 'Indian style' (sabk-e-Hindi) in Persian, characterized by ornate poetry and the incorporation of Indian vocabulary and themes. The monsoon season, for example, was romanticized. Notable practitioners included Urfi Shirazi and Bedil.
Translations from Arabic, Turkic, and Sanskrit enriched Indo-Persian literature. Sanskrit works, like the Mahabharata (Razmnama), were translated under Akbar to disseminate knowledge.
As a lingua franca for 800 years, Classical Persian significantly influenced Indic languages, most notably in the northwest. Punjabi, Sindhi, and Urdu show significant Persian influence. Hindustani, a lingua franca, blends Khariboli with Persian elements, having Persianized Urdu and Sanskritized Hindi registers.
Persian's influence is strongest in Hindustani and Urdu. Due to language politicization, Persian features are more prominent among Muslim speakers. The decline of Persian began in the late 18th century, with the rise of Urdu and English.
The loss of Persian was mourned, with Urdu poet Ghalib viewing Persian as a mirror reflecting life's colors.