This project entails the compilation, editing and publication of a collected volume, edited by Dr. Shahrokh Raei.

The volume will feature contributions from prominent scholars in Iranian Studies and related disciplines. This research initiative is funded by the Soudavar Memorial Foundation and hosted by the Department of Islamic Studies at Ruhr University Bochum. The publication will take place within the framework of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme.

Project Overview

From the 10th century CE onward, the Persian language, with its rich linguistic and literary tradition, emerged as the primary administrative and literary medium across the vast expanse of the historic Silk Roads. Its influence extended from Anatolia and the Eastern Mediterranean to the easternmost regions of China, traversing the Caucasus, the Iranian Plateau, Central Asia, the northern Indian subcontinent and beyond. Its adoption as the administrative language (dīvānī) by several non-Persian-speaking governments, including the Abbasid Caliphate, the Seljuk dynasty, and the Ottoman Empire is a testament to its significance.

The vast corpus of literary and scientific works composed in Persian, including those by non-Persian authors, as well as its linguistic imprint on numerous regional languages, underscores its pivotal role in cultural interactions along the Silk Roads. The widespread diffusion of Persian reinforced its function as a conduit for intellectual and artistic exchanges.

Objective and Scope

This project aims to elucidate and promote awareness of the enduring role of the Persian language as a crucial medium for intercultural dialogue, cultural interactions, and scientific exchanges along the Silk Roads and beyond. Additionally, it seeks to explore various dimensions of Persianism within these regions and refine scholarly understandings and boundaries of Persianate Societies by incorporating newly discovered Persian manuscripts and documents.

This initiative will provide deeper insights into the historical significance of Persian in fostering connections between diverse cultural and linguistic communities. It will also highlight the profound impact of Persian, particularly in non-Persian-speaking regions such as Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, North Africa, China, and East Asia. The volume will showcase exemplary Persian literary and scientific contributions that have shaped the intellectual and cultural histories of these regions.