Central Asian Monuments

By Paksoy, HB, Ph.D.

Book Id: WPLBN0100002736
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 0.6 MB
Reproduction Date: 9/1/1991

Title:	Central Asian Monuments
Author:	Paksoy, HB, Ph.D.
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, Political Science, History
Collections:	Authors Community, History
Historic Publication Date:	1991
Publisher:	Istanbul: ISIS Press

Member Page:	erasmus rotterdamus
Citation APA MLA Chicago Hb Paksoy, B. P. (1991). Central Asian Monuments. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
The present volume presents essays on eight Central Asian Monuments. Each essay discusses one Monument, placing it in historical perspective. Some works are very early products of Central Asian thought. A few, are quite new, that is, were produced in the 19th and the 20th centuries. They all, however, are repositories of thought and culture and all have had palpable repercussions. Their enduring quality is manifested in repeated references to them by present-day Central Asians in their own historical, literary, and even political writings. Indeed, this use of Monuments provided an additional reason for undertaking this collection. In a time when Central Asia's importance to the world affairs is again resurgent, it is necessary to understand the intellectual nucleus of Central Asians' mode of thinking. This is especially important, because an overwhelming majority of Central Asian writings do not appear in any other language than their own dialects. The appreciation of these Monuments, their messages and their influence over time contributes to the understanding of current issues precisely because they are directly linked in the minds of the Central Asians themselves. This is illustrated by the first essay, "Sun is also Fire," which examines the references to various Monuments in one contemporary "novella" from Uzbekistan.

Summary
The historical and literary Monuments of Central Asia are the repositories of civilization, culture and aesthetic tastes of their creators and their milieu over millennia. Though some existed in manuscript, a large portion survived dozens of centuries as part of the oral tradition. After printing press licenses were wrestled by the Central Asians from the Russian government during the 19th century, many were collected by the Central Asians and others, and published. The Monuments have proved to be durable. Primarily works of Central Asian thought, they belong also to civilization at large, representing the endeavors of human activity.

Excerpt
The Central Asian authors have responded to the restrictions on history writing by reporting accurate history and relaying messages of the past in the guise of literature. The field of literature has its own strictures. Thus, Central Asians have tried to ensure that their output is both the real history and sufficiently veiled (for example, under the "yarn" genre) to pass censorship. This is an effort to maintain the historical identity which Central Asians see is under attack by the Russian-dominated party, state and academic apparatus in the official "histories." One must observe the recent publishing activity of the Central Asians, in their dialects, especially since late 1970s. These efforts represent a renewal of activity since the interruption caused by the "liquidations" of the 1930s.

Table of Contents
CENTRAL ASIAN MONUMENTS Edited by H. B. Paksoy ________________________________________ Table of Contents • H. B. Paksoy Introduction • H. B. Paksoy Sun Is Also Fire: Ibadinov's Kuyas Ham Alav • Peter B. Golden (Rutgers) Codex Comanicus • Richard Frye (Harvard) Narshaki's The History of Bukhara • Robert Dankoff (Chicago) Adab Literature • Uli Schamiloglu (Wisconsin-Madison) Umdet ul Ahbar • Kevin Krisciunas (Joint Astronomy Centre) Ulug Beg's Zij • Audrey Altstadt (UMass-Amherst) Bakikhanli's Nasihatlar • Edward J. Lazzerini (New Orleans) Gaspirali's Tercuman • David S. Thomas (Rhode Island), Akcura's Uc Tarz-i Siyaset ________________________________________ ISBN: 975-428-033-9 Library of Congress Card Catalog: DS329.4 .C46 1992 173 Pp. (paperback) US$20 ISIS Press 1992 Isis Press Semsibey Sokak 10 81210 Beylerbeyi Istanbul Turkey Phone: +90 + 216 321 38 51 FAX: +90 + 216 321 86 66 Please refer to the printed version for footnotes.