Central Asian Studies

Statue of Nasir-i Khusraw in Badakshan against the backdrop of the Pamir mountains. Photo by Javed Ali.

The aim of the Central Asian Studies Unit is to promote scholarship on the history, culture and traditions of Central Asian Ismaili communities within the larger context of the faiths and traditions of Central Asian Muslims.

Central Asian Studies Unit (CAS) is part of the Department of Academic Research and Publication (DARP) at the Institute of Ismaili Studies.The overall aim of the unit is to promote scholarship on the history, culture and traditions of Central Asian Ismaili communities within the larger context of the faiths and traditions of Central Asian Muslims.CAS collaborates with scholars and academics internationally to produce translations and edited volumes of key texts into Tajik and Russian.The geographical scope of Central Asian Studies includes Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan and Western China, as well as the Russian Federation where many Central Asian Ismailis have settled.