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The field of Yemeni-Indo intellectual relations is a rich field of studies, particularly the period after which Islam reached the sub-continent of India. Yemen became one of the bridges to Islamic knowledge and Arabic language for Indians. A number of Yemeni intellectuals played an important role in spreading Islam and the Arabic language in India during the various stages of this time period. This study offers Aḥmad b. Muḥammad al-Shirwānī as a case of Yemeni contributions in India during the 19th century. He had arguably the largest and longestlasting impact on the teaching of the Arabic language, and the spread of its literature within the Colonial Islamic educational institutions. The significance of this work is that it is the first academic study, at least in Yemen, to focus on al-Shirwānī’s life, his social network in both Yemen and India, and his role in cultivating and reviving the Arabic language and literature, both at the Oriental educational centers and at the Royal courts of the Muslim Principalities in India during the 19th century. This study presents al-Shirwānī as one of non-Ḥaḍramī Yemeni intellectuals who had a role in improving and developing the Yemeni-Indo intellectual relations during the 19thcentury, as most of the studies in this field have focused on the Ḥaḍramī scholars. Moreover, it highlights the role of Tihāmah, another regional center, as a theater of intellectual activities and interactions between Yemen and India at that time. This study concludes that factors such as the sea transportation, the British Colonial and Tihāmah’s educational environment were factors that supported the flourishing of Yemeni scholarship in India. In addition, it reveals that the Yemeni’s contribution to the field of printing and publishing in India dates back to early 19th century. In addition, this study focuses on the British Colonial Administration in India, and their interest in integrating the Arabic language within its educational policy, i.e., teaching their civil servants the oriental ...
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