Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Central Asian polymath al-Biruni and his eleventh-century book the India.Born in around 973 in the central Asian region of Chorasmia, al-Biruni became an itinerant scholar of immense learning, a master of mathematics, medicine, astronomy and many languages. He corresponded with the age's greatest scientist, Avicenna, and made significant contributions to many fields of knowledge.In 1017 al-Biruni became a member of the court of the ruler Mahmud of Ghazna. Over the course of the next thirteen years he wrote the India, a comprehensive account of Hindu culture which was the first book about India by a Muslim scholar. It contains detailed information about Hindu religion, science and everyday life which have caused some to call it the first work of anthropology.With:James MontgomeryProfessor of Classical Arabic at the University of CambridgeHugh KennedyProfessor of Arabic in the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of LondonAmira BennisonSenior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of CambridgeProducer: Thomas Morris.

James E. Montgomery, Sir Thomas Adams Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge, discusses the enduring significance of "Kalīlah and Dimnah," a collection of fables by Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ. He explores the challenges of literary translation and its vital role in making these ancient stories relevant today. Montgomery delves into themes of governance, ethics, and the moral complexities of leadership found in the fables, while reflecting on their impact on modern political discourse and the art of storytelling.

In this engaging conversation, James E. Montgomery, a prominent Arabic scholar and co-translator of 'Kalīlah and Dimnah,' shares insights into the timeless fables' exploration of virtue and vice. He highlights his journey into Arabic studies and the challenges of translating classic texts for modern readers. The discussion spans Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ's historical significance, the perils of distraction illustrated in the fables, and their relevance in today's political landscape. Montgomery also emphasizes the cultural importance of narratives like falconry in preserving heritage.