BULLETIN OF THE INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL STUDIES

The Geographical and Geopolitical Understanding of Eurasia in Russian and Turkish Eurasianist Discourses

Veronika Torosyan — 2026-08-14

Since the 1990s, Eurasianism has developed as an ideological basis for some political parties and movements in both Russia and Turkey, particularly for the regional integration programs of both countries. However, the geographical and geopolitical boundaries of Eurasia vary in both political and scientific discourses within these countries and are not always aligned. Thus, a question arises: Where is Eurasia in the context of Eurasianism, and how to determine its geopolitical boundaries? The article argues that the boundaries of Eurasia, according to various Russian and Turkish conceptions of Eurasianism, differ based on the perceptions of geographic nationalism of these countries.

A Historical Overview of the Formation and Development of the Ahl-e Haqq Community

Arpine Arushanyan — 2026-08-14

This article examines the historical formation and development of the Ahl-e Haqq (Yaresan) community through a critical synthesis of oral traditions, religious narratives, and available documentary sources. Given the predominance of oral transmission in Ahl-e Haqq culture, early history is largely preserved in mythological and poetic forms, posing significant challenges for reconstructing a reliable chronology. The study therefore distinguishes between the internal, tradition-based understanding of the past and historically verifiable evidence derived from written sources. It argues that neither oral tradition nor documentary material alone is sufficient for reconstructing the early history of the community; rather, their combined analysis provides a more nuanced historical framework. The earliest reliable references, including a 16th-century waqf document associated with Bābā Yādegār, alongside manuscript evidence such as Kitāb-i bahr al-ansāb and the accounts of C. J. Edmonds, make it possible to situate key figures like Soltān Sahāk within a tentative historical context, while also revealing significant chronological discrepancies between sources. The article further analyzes the formation of the khāndān system, internal divisions, and the emergence of subgroups such as the Perdivar Kāka'is, highlighting variations in ritual practice, language, and religious organization. It also examines later transformations, including 19th-century reformist movements led by Hajj Nematollah Jeyhunabadi and the modernist reinterpretations developed by Nur Ali Elahi and Bahram Elahi. Finally, the study explores the impact of modern political developments---particularly the 1979 Islamic Revolution---on the Ahl-e Haqq, emphasizing ongoing challenges related to religious identity, state pressure, discrimination, and strategies of concealment such as taqiyya. By integrating internal and external perspectives on history, the article offers a more comprehensive approach to understanding the evolution of a religious community shaped by the interplay of myth, memory, and historical reality.

The Importance of Persian in Uncovering the History of Bangladesh: A Historical and Cultural Analysis

Shojan Parbez — 2026-08-14

Bangladesh is a South Asian country. It has a rich history. Bangladesh's history is incredibly rich and multifaceted. Spanning thousands of years, it is intertwined with various languages, cultures,and traditions. During the medieval period, particularly under Muslim rule (1206-1857)Persian served as the administrative and literary language. The Persian language has become deeply embedded in the subcontinent's language, literature, culture, history and heritage, Over this extensive period, significant aspects of Bengal's history, politics, culture and economy were documented in Persian. Consequently, understanding and studying Persian is essential for uncovering and researching Bangladesh past history. To ezplore the various layers and dimensions of history, it is crucial to consider the contributions of different languages and cultures among which Persian plays a particularly vital role. During the medieval period, Persian had a profound influence on Bengal's political, cultural and administrative spheres. Persian has played a crucial role in uncovering Bangladesh's past history, serving as the administrative, cultural and literary language of the region durning the medieval period. The article will discuss the importance of Persian in Bangladesh's history and the significance of writing new historical narratives.