A two-day conference at the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad shed light on the rich history and cultural significance of Persian manuscripts in India. The conference, organized in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, UK, highlighted the role of these manuscripts in Indian historiography and culture. Presentations by scholars like Malini Roy of the British Library revealed the complex history of these manuscripts, showcasing how they were acquired through patronage, trade, and even looting. The conference showcased examples like a portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah commissioned in Awadh and a painting of Jama Masjid commissioned by Colonel Antoine Polier, demonstrating the evolving interest in architectural artwork in India. Researchers like Sunil Sharma and Jake Benson presented evidence of how manuscripts of Amir Khusrau ended up in various royal collections across India and subsequently dispersed to western countries, including a cache looted from the Awadh royal library in 1858. The conference provided a platform for exploring the fascinating journey of these manuscripts and their enduring impact on our understanding of Indian history and culture.