Because of its geographical location, Central Asia has been a cultural crossroads since the dawn of history. The great ancient civilizations of China, Iran, India, the Turkic peoples of the northern steppes have all shaped its historical development. Over seventy years of Soviet rule, however, serious attempts were made to suppress aspects of local culture, including religion and any separatist sense of ethnic identity. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the independent Central Asian republics enjoy a greater degree of autonomy but they are faced with a range of complex social, political...
Because of its geographical location, Central Asia has been a cultural crossroads since the dawn of history. The great ancient civilizations of China,...
Political upheaval has marked Iran's history throughout the twentieth century. Wars, revolutions, coups and the impact of modernism have shaped Iran's historiography, as they have the country's history. Originally based on oral and written sources, which underpinned traditional genealogical and dynastic history, Iran's historiography was transformed in the early 20th century with the development of a 'new' school of presenting history. Here emphasis shifted from the anecdotal story-telling genre to social, political, economic, cultural and religious history-writing.
A new...
Political upheaval has marked Iran's history throughout the twentieth century. Wars, revolutions, coups and the impact of modernism have shaped Ira...
