The translation work of Don Quixote occupied both Nityanand and Jaghadhar for most of 1935 to 1936. In March 1937 Stein was in England nursing an injury to his knee.

“I wish to thank you very warmly for your kind letter of February 28, which reached me a couple of days ago in Vienna . It was very good of you to have taken such friendly interest in the little accident which befell me. It was really of no serious nature and I was only sorry that a report of it reached the Times and other papers in England. Stumbling over a low step which was not visible in poor light, I hurt the tendon of my left knee. But competent surgical treatment was readily at hand and after eight days I could go out and since then this trouble has completely passed. I was very glad to receive from Pandit Zadoo, both the Kashmiri and Sanskrit translations of Don Quixote extracts which you had been good enough to arrange for. I acknowledge both from Persia. I also returned the Sanskrit translation to Pandit Zadoo with the request to have it properly written in old Kashmiri Devanagari style. He acknowledged the detailed instruction but up to the present, the desired copy has not yet come to hand. I should be grateful if you would kindly remind Pandit Zadoo about this work. I should be very glad to have the Kashmiri translations carefully printed if you have kept a rough manuscript of it. The fair copy is in Mr. Kellor’s hand, who would prefer to keep it. Please ascertain whether the printing can be done.” - Sir Aurel Stein.

(in a letter dated March 1, 1937, by Sir Aurel Stein to Pandit Ntyanand) Ns Mss, Nityanand Shastri Library collection.

Translations made, neatly packed and sent by post, Nityanand awaited Stein’s acknowledgement of their safe arrival at the destination. “I wish to thank you very much for your letter of April 27 th, which reached me a few days ago followed by your earlier letter of February16th. This came to me by a great detour via Boston, United States, as it had been enclosed with the Sanskrit translation which had been redirected to my American friend from Oxford under my instructions. I my self was then still absent from England and arranged for the transmission of the packet in order not to delay its receipt. Mr. Kellor was very pleased with the neatly executed manuscripts.

Folio of Don Quixote manuscript (Kashmiri translation at Harvard University, Boston, USA) Nityanand Shastri Library Collection

Please assure Pandit Jagadhar of my best thanks for all the trouble, he had taken about the copying, correction etc. To yourself, I feel very grateful for the great care you had shown in attending to my request.

It is a great satisfaction to me to have received this proof of your old friendship. I am greatly pleased to know that you have been able to regain your home in improved health and hope that the pleasant spring of Kashmir will help you towards further recovery. May it be given to me to see you again a year hence in increased strength. I am likely to be kept very busy with work on the results of my Persian explorations, all through the summer and autumn but hope for the needful strength.” - Sir Aurel Stein.

(in a letter dated May 10, 1937 by Sir Aurel Stein to Pandit Nityanand) NS Mss, Nityanand Shastri Library Collection.

The Kashmiri and Sanskrit translations of Don Quixote engineered by Aurel Stein is a unique testimony which establishes a singular shift to a unidirectional interface between the Kashmiri and western scholars, when instead of, a Kashmiri work being given a western treatment, a European classic was handled by Kashmir scholars. By translating this great 17 th century European classic into Kashmiri and Sanskrit, Nityanand and Jagadhar have earned Kashmir its distinct position in the estimation of world scholarship by having contributed to the celebration of the Spanish pride.

Acknowledgement note by Aurel Stein : Don Quixote (Kashmiri translation at Harvard University, Boston, USA) Nityanand Shastri Library Collection