Showing 11 results for Central Asia
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2014)
Abstract
Fauna of the Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Iran is reviewed and the data on their host aphid associations are summarized. Seventy-eight species belonging to 17 genera of Aphidiinae are listed in the associations with 193 aphid species. A total of 491 parasitoid-aphid associations are presented. The distribution of the Aphidiinae species in different parts of Iran and other countries is also discussed.
Volume 4, Issue 16 (12-2011)
Abstract
Debate is one of the literary prose types prevalent in Persian. In prose debates, two or more characters are presented in dialogue writing with each other and ultimately the authorsummarizestheir language and reaches a conclusion. The structure of these debates is mostly based on dialoguewriting. During the Constitutional era of Iran, these kinds of debates were regarded as ‘objectwriting’ or ‘theatrical writing.’ With respect to their formal structure and particularstyle of dialogue writing, it can be asked whether they can be read from a dramatic point of view. The dramatic tone and language, dialogue-based dramatic action, conflict, time and place are some of the identifiable aspects that are studied in this paper. The aim of this paper is to introduce a dialogue-based model for the study of the dramatic aspects of these debates. This model is proposed on the basis of a comparative study of dialogue in prose and drama as well as identifying commonalities between these two types of literature.
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2014)
Abstract
This article seeks to answer this question that how the Buddist art could grow and develop in the Central Asian countries. The Muryan Empire of the Bactrian State (321-185 BC), in the mid-third century BC, tried to promote the Buddhist sect in the West. The Kushanas (near 100 BC) stablished a new civilization in the history of Bactria. Afterwards, the Kushanas Empire became the eastern neigbour of the Sasanian Empire. Then Kushanaz territory was conquered by the Sasanian Empire. From the sttelement period of the Central Asia Budhist, four kinds of art works have been discovered: 1) Graffiti; 2) Architecture of Buddhist temples; and 3) Buddhist iconography; and 4) Kushanas art and jewelery. The ancient city of Termez in the south of Uzbakistan has an important role in this sect as a main center of Buddhism. In the north part of Termez, in a place named “Qara Tepe”, of an anciant monastery have been discovered in including the Khalchyan palace. Afrasiab, Samarkand in Uzbekistan is the most important archaeological site that underscores the art works of this period. What connects Marve in the Sasanian Turkmenstan with the East is a stupa Buddhist temple built outside the wall of the city.
Volume 6, Issue 3 (8-2024)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the centers of regional crisis is Afghanistan in the east of Iran. This country has common cultural, social, religious and political structures with Iran, but due to the weakness of political structures, it has been the center of geopolitical competition of regional and global powers. Due to its geographical proximity on the one hand and the competition of the powers, it is one of the geopolitical regions that can have many effects on Iran's regional actions. Therefore, Iran is bound to play a geopolitical role in this region. One of the most important reasons for the importance of Iran's role in the East, especially in today's Afghanistan, is activities of the groups that are religiously sympathetic to the Taliban. Therefore, national interests require Iran to prevent these groups from approaching radicalism through regional de-escalation. During the sanctions period, the Afghan market is one of the main markets for Iran's exports, the dependence of Sistan and Baluchistan province in eastern Iran on Hirmand River can be better achieved by maintaining the relationship with the Taliban, and finally, being present in Afghanistan prevents the country from turning into the backyard of Iran's regional and extra-regional rivals.
Methodology
The research method is applied in terms of purpose and is descriptive-analytic in terms of method and nature. Data gathering procedure is based on library findings. The statistical population of the research consists of experts and professors of the university and fields related to geopolitics, geostrategy and geoculture, and the sample size was determined based on Cochran's model of 50 people. In order to analyze the findings, the average test was used in SPSS software.
Results and discussion
The factors of Iran's role-playing in the geopolitical region of the East with an emphasis on Afghanistan are subject to relevant factors and variables at three internal, regional and extra-regional "global" levels. In this context, the ambiguous future indicators of power in Afghanistan and Iran's capabilities in playing its role, ethnic diversity in Afghanistan and the Pashtuns' role in power and the roles played by the Islamic Republic with regard to its civilizational characteristics in Afghanistan and playing a role, the Islamic Republic of Iran is considered as one of the main and most important factors in the geopolitical region of the East in terms of building universities and scientific centers in Afghanistan and Pakistan and producing knowledge and increasing general literacy in Afghanistan, and the influencing factors. The role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the fields of increasing the construction of cultural bases such as Basij, seminaries, knowledge centers and cultural centers, etc. is prominent. Preventing illegal immigration on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan has not been successful. In the context of evaluating Iran's role-playing achievements in the direction of securing the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the East, 12 indicators were presented, and the results showed that factors such as Iran's achievements in solving hydropolitical disputes with Afghanistan, Iran's achievements in the construction of the Chabahar Free Zone, Iran's achievements in the field of spreading the Persian language in Afghanistan and Iran's roles in preventing the spread of the Salafist ideology of Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia are the most achievements for Iran in the East, and finally factors such as Iran's role in preventing the transit of narcotics on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan and Iran's role in preventing arms smuggling in the borders of the peripheral east are not considered as the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the peripheral east.
Conclusions
The results showed that Iran's role-playing in the geopolitical region of its peripheral east, with an emphasis on Afghanistan, will be subject to relevant factors and variables at three internal, regional and extra-regional "global" levels, and the greatest share of this role-playing includes extra-regional factors. Also, factors such as Iran's achievements in the field of settling hydropolitical disputes with Afghanistan, Iran's achievements in the field of establishing the Chabahar Free Zone, Iran's achievements in the field of spreading the Persian language in Afghanistan and Iran's roles in preventing the spread of Salafist ideology in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia will bring the most achievements for Iran in its peripheral east.
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2017)
Abstract
Islamic architecture has included all architectural aesthetic elements with mystic viewpoints; however, this art shows different indicators according to developments in each period and region, which distinguishes it from other periods and demonstrates the culture of that specific region. This article studies Islamic architecture of Central Asia and changes in the early 16th/10th to late 17th AD/11th AH, respectively. In this regard, it briefly explains political, social, and cultural conditions of Central Asia in the mentioned period, which indicates the effectiveness of social conditions for architectural art, decorations, construction materials, and finally growth and progression or decline and stagnation. The architectural works created in this region have the most significant executive facades with highly pleasant designs, not only in Samarkand and Bukhara, but also in the entire Central Asia.
Among the main problems that prevent researchers from investigating Islamic architecture is lack of access to major historical monuments. Therefore, to select the samples and buildings of this article, some important types of Islamic architecture such as schools and mosques are emphasized.
The research method of this article is historical-analytical, in which social dimensions of the mentioned periods are considered through a scientific approach.
Most of the books in this regard have been written in the original language, some in English and a few in Farsi. Since this study is focused on visual details, documentary photography images with high resolution are needed.
1-1. Objectives:
1. Examining developments in Islamic architectural art and its special features in Central Asia during the 16th-17thAD/ 10th-11thAH;
2. Introducing remarkable monuments related to the 16th-17thAD/ 10th-11thAH in Central Asia and comparing their remarkable similarities and differences
1-2. Research questions
1- What are remarkable similarities and differences among Islamic architectural works in Central Asia during the 16th-17thAD/ 10th-11thAH?
2- What are remarkable monuments and major architectural centers in Central Asia during the 16th-17thAD/ 10th-11thAH?
Contemporary with Uzbek Sheybani dynasty in the 16th/10th AD/AH and Ashtarkhanian in the 17th AD/11th AH, a reduction in the political and economic contact between Central Asia and other countries as well as intensity of internal conflicts in the region led to social crisis along with architectural and urban decline in this region. But in general, it is possible to state that, in the second half of the 16th AD/10th AH, building construction and architectural processes have been almost improved and constructing new public and cultural buildings as well as bridges, caravan paths and roads, cellars, caravanserais, bathrooms, firms, schools, monasteries, mosques, and cemeteries have undergone a growing process.
The most important features of architecture in the 16th AD/10th AH have been reflected in Bukhara's monuments such as Mir Arab and Abdullah Khan Schools and the new wall around Bukhara. Also, a famous bridge has been built over Zarafshan River, and Sheybani School has been constructed at the beginning of the century in Samarkand. Also, Ulugh Beg School, located in this city, has been restored and repaired.
Kalan Mosque, Boland Mosque, Haji Zeynolabedin Mosque, Tashkand Siunji Khan Tomb, and Abdollatif Sultan School (Kook Gonbad) in Uratapeh city in modern Tajikistan are some examples of the buildings constructed during this period. Charbekr Architectural Complex in Bukhara can also be added to the list.
By studying the buildings in Central Asia during the 16th AD/10th AH, it can be inferred that traditional and modern methods beside each other has been mostly applied in mosques and schools. But, regarding public buildings, there has been a tendency to construct modern buildings. Also, in constructing Central Asian buildings of the period, some innovations can be observed in terms of the design and plan of domes and cupolas and also great attention has been paid to the proportionality of size of domes to surface area of buildings.
Gradual evolution of decorations is remarkable in the middle of the 16th AD and 10th AH. In architectural art of the first half of the 16th AD/10th AH, Timurid traditions have been continued. For the decoration of monuments, inlay and brick tiles with different patterns and suitable blue, white, and indigo colors, which are considered the basis of decoration in this period, have been used in extensive fields. Enameled clays with golden patterns also have a special ranking for the decoration of monuments in this period.
In the second half of the 16th AD/10th AH, decoration in luxurious buildings has been changed and relatively cheap and simple decoration materials such as white plaster and colors have been used; however, there is no decline in architectural art and artists have created significant masterpieces using the cheapest materials and tools.
Great and comprehensive architectural collections, including Kalan Mosque and Mir Arab School, suggest a non-breakable bond between religion and science. Also, in the crossroads of some streets, they have constructed four-sided buildings as well as arches and caravanserais along the street. A combination of such monuments has given a special look to squares, crossroads, and streets, all of which demonstrate urbanism art of the period.
In the 17th AD/11th AH, the huge amount of constructions, which represents architectural features of Bukhara in the 16th AD/10th AH, has been reduced; but, great collections still exist. Architecture in this period has been influenced by high-ranking Uzbek tribes who had a large amount of money available for construction, by which they intended to gain some fame and record names in history. Rigestan Square across from Ulugh Beg School can be mentioned as a mirror image of this school in Samarkand. View of Shirdar School is exactly the same as that of Ulugh Beg School, which is architecturally similar to buildings in Timuid dynasty; but, numerous innovations can be found in the details of building design and its decorations. Glided Mosque-School in Rigestan, Samarkand, is a building which is a mosque and a school at the same time. On three sides of the yard, there are chambers and the mosque is located on the fourth side. Great Pool Architectural Collection, which is known as "Labe Hoz", is another building that includes a pool, a school, and a small monastery. Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Schools in city of Bukhara, which are located across from each other, are also remarkable examples of this era. It is worth mentioning that constructing the two monuments across from each other has been one of the new ways invented by the architecture of that era.
In general, architecture of the 17th AD/11th AH in Central Asia has undergone a decline with greater attention paid to decorations, which can be found from the extensive use of inlay and tiling arts. Architects of the 17th AD/11th AH have continued the decoration style of the two previous centuries and partly had some accomplishments in this field, especially in plastering which is distinguished from other works owing to its complexities and delicacies.
Condition of the next period in Central Asia could not significantly help the growth of architecture and art. The first half of the 18th AD/12th AH has witnessed economic recession, intensified civil war conditions, destruction of cities and villages, civil uprisings, reappearance of attacks and invasions, and attacks from bedouin and strangers. It is natural that no important architectural and artful monument or work has been left from such a dark and turbulent period.
Volume 9, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Two poorly known species of the zodariid spider genus Zodariellum Andreeva & Tystshenko, 1968 – Z. spasskyi (Charitonov, 1946) and Z. zebra (Charitonov, 1946) – are redescribed based on type specimens from eastern Uzbekistan. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for the former species.
Volume 10, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
To date, Kazakhstan is an underexplored territory regarding the study of leaf miners. This article aims to present new data on the defoliators of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) in cultivated plants of North-Eastern Kazakhstan (the Pavlodar Region). Occurrence of Fenusa pumila Leach, 1817, as well as additional new data on the previously known leafminer species are presented for the first time for the Pavlodar Region. Groups of birch-defoliating insects were chosen as model objects. The research conducted in the territory of the Pavlodar Region revealed six species of leaf miners belonging to three genera Stigmella Schrank, 1802, Phylloporia Heinemann, 1870, and Fenusa Leach, 1817. All representatives are obligate miners that develop at the larval stage in the mesophyll of birch leaves. This group of insects harmfully affects plants, often causing their death, which in turn proves the importance of studying them.
Volume 10, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
An updated checklist of Uzbekistan aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. This comprehensive checklist of aphids is the first checklist for Uzbekistan and represents a total of 301 species and 31 subspecies, within 103 genera, 63 subgenuses, belonging to seven subfamilies, of the Aphididae family, recorded from 1910 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. According to the association of the identified aphids with their host plants, it was noted that 301 species of aphids live and feed on plants belonging to 64 families of plants. Of these, the largest number of species was found in plants belonging to the families of Asteraceae (71), Rosaceae (58) and Salicaceae (33).
Elaheh Koolaee,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2005)
Abstract
The disappearance of bipolar system following the disintegration of the Soviet :union:, has also changed many strategic concepts. Central Asia, as a part of the Soviet empire, has become an arena for regional and global challenges after these transformations. The region, already faced with various political, economic, social and cultural problems, soon became a location for the activities of Islamic fundamentalists, which in turn intensified regional crisis. Different socio-political problems made the ground for these activities.
The basic question of this paper is: What is the role of NATO enlargement and its effects on security provision in Central Asia? This paper tries to answer that, “what role can NATO play in Central Asia in order to provide security in this region specially after September 11th and the following events”. Based on current security issues in Central Asia, America has seriously emphasized on socio-economic reforms under the” Greater Middle East” framework. Central Asian leaders are obliged to control political, social and economic crisis to prevent terrorist acts and reduce public dissatisfaction. Political transformations following the Soviet :union: collapse have clearly revealed that the roots of threat and instability in Central Asia are essentially internal. Sooner or later, leaders of these states have to resolve these threats, based on a clear understanding of regional sociopolitical realities.
Hassan Basafa,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (10-2016)
Abstract
The burial process of the deceased is among the most tangible evidence for reconstruction and understanding the culture of human societies, which includes both material and spiritual dimensions. Study of material evidence in archaeological excavations can contribute to partial interpretation of ideological motifs. In this context, recognizing burial practices and interpretation of objects within the grave is a manifestation of human culture and philosophical ideas of the other world, customs, religious beliefs as well as social structure and complexity. There are a few studies in this field in cultural zone of Great Khorasan with strategic importance and proximity with several cultural zones around Great Khorasan Ancient Road, although archeological excavations in recent years have resulted in specific material evidence. This article includes structural study of burials in late Bronze Age with a comparative approach encompassing cenotaph, primary, secondary and common human-animal tombs as well as origin of burial cultures. Assessment of evidences indicates similarity of burial practices of Khorasan in late Bronze period with the advanced culture of BMAC in Central Asia, which has been documented in Afghanistan, Pakistan, South East Iran, Caucasus and south Persian Gulf littoral.
Ebrahim Khodayar, Amir Javan Arasteh, Hojjat Modarresi,
Volume 29, Issue 4 (10-2022)
Abstract
: Salafism and Sufism are two old Islamic movements that have had major conflicts throughout the history of Islam, which were mainly related to aspects of adherence to and respect for Islamic law and jurisprudence and different interpretations of religious texts. Simultaneously, these two movements have also had some interactions with each other, and there have emerged some individuals or groups who have combined a number of the manifestations of Sufi practices and actiond with those of Salafi and thus creating Salafi Sufism or Sufi Salafism. The Central Asian region is the cradle of a great number of Sufi orders. It has delivered great mystics to the Islamic society. Moreover, several signs of Sufism can be observed in its people’s general culture. However, the people’s inclination towards Islam at the time of liberation from the yoke of communism and the formation of Islamic groups and parties – who wanted Islam to play a greater role in governing the society – besides some countries’ cultural and propaganda exercise, it has led to the creation of various Salafi groups in the region. Naturally, Salafi’s entry into Central Asia’s mystical culture paves the way for the creation and growth of a discourse that has nurtured a combination of Salafism and Sufism in itself. The present study examines the Salafi Sufis in Central Asia and the Sufi-Salafi interactions in this region. Although there are many references on Sufism and Salafism in Central Asia, no independent reference on Salafi Sufism was found in the land.