History of Central Asian Civilization, Volume 5, Starkly Contrasting Development: 16th Century to Mid-19th Century

Author: Adel (France), Habib (France), Editors; Translated by Lan Qi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The six-volume History of Central Asian Civilization is the first attempt to comprehensively describe this significant topic. The publication of this series of historical works fully aligns with the of UNESCO. An international expert group, long engaged in collaborative research, has conducted foundational studies to introduce the historical realities of civilizations in this vast region at the heart of Eurasia to a broader audience. History of Central Asian Civilization will reveal the rise and fall of various cultures in Central Asia from the beginning of civilization to the present day. Only a few place names in this region, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, or Khiva, are widely recognized by the public. Today, renowned experts (many of whom are local) have lifted the veil for us, presenting a richer and more diverse picture of Central Asian civilization. On a broader scale, the ancient and medieval world was shaped by the migrations of ethnic groups across Eurasia, ranging from the Black Sea in the west to the borders of mainland China in the east. This volume continues to explore the history of Central Asian civilization, starting around 1500 and ending around 1850. This period witnessed the decline of several medieval empires, primarily the Uzbeks, Safavids, Mughals, and Kazakhs; it also saw the initial influence of colonialism. Like the previous volumes, this one also addresses various cultural factors. It narrates the final stages of nomadic life, which was an independent system within social organization; the impact of the decline of the overland Silk Road on the economy of Central Asia after the main trade route shifted to maritime routes; various artistic schools; the last great era of classical Persian culture and the growth of Turkic culture; and, finally, in the realm of religion, the success of Shia Islam in Persia, the Mughals' conversion to Buddhism, and the gradual rise of Sikhism. This volume also analyzes the issue of Central Asia's relatively slower development in science and technology compared to Europe, as well as the nature of the initial colonialism in Central Asia (primarily by Britain and Russia). The conclusion of this volume summarizes the main trends in Central Asian history from the 16th to the mid-19th century.