I.B.Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies Few fields of Islamic studies have witnessed as much progress in modern times as Ismaili studies, and in even fewer instances has the role of a single individual been as pivotal in initiating progress as that of Wladimir Ivanow (1886-1970), whose memoirs are now published here for the first time. The breakthrough in modern Ismaili studies occurred mainly as a result of the recovery and study of a large number of texts relating to the field, which had not been available to the earlier generations of orientalists. The Persian and Arabic Ismaili manuscripts, many edited and published by Ivanow, reflect a rich diversity of intellectual and literary traditions. Ivanow left his native Russia soon after the October Revolution of 1917 and settled in India where he was formally commissioned in 1931 by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis, to investigate the history and teachings of the Ismailis. Henceforth, Ivanow began the systematic recovery and study of texts from this tradition of Shi'i Islam, discovered in India, the Middle East and Central Asia, amongst other regions. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Ismaili Society - the first research institution of its kind with a major collection of Ismaili manuscripts. Ivanow made these manuscripts available to other scholars, thereby contributing to further progress in the field. Ivanow completed his memoirs, entitled Fifty Years in the East, in 1968, shortly before his death. This work, originally written in Russian, is comprised of an autobiography and vivid accounts from his travels. These convey his ethnologist's interest in 'the archaeology of the way of life' and profound curiosity for regional customs and languages. The memoirs, written in Tehran during Ivanow's final years, have now been edited with substantial annotations by Farhad Daftary. They reveal for the first time the circumstances under which modern Ismaili studies were initiated and an eyewitness account of several regions during the early decades of the twentieth century before the rapid onset of modernisation.

50 Years of LIS Education in North East India: Published on the Occasion of Concluding Session of the Golden Jubilee Celebration, DLISc., Gauhati University

This book, the first historical sociology of its kind concerning Bangladesh, examines the country's what-went-wrong-syndrome during the first fifty years of its existence, 1971-2021. The work is an exception to the traditional studies on modern and contemporary Bangladesh. The study is also a post-history of united Pakistan. Busting several myths, it sheds light on many known and unknown facts about the history, politics, society, and culture of the country. Besides being a twice-born country – liberated twice, from the British in 1947 and from West Pakistanis in 1971 – it is also an artificial entity suffering from acute crises of culture, development, governance, and identity. Hashmi attributes the culture and identity crises to the demographic byproducts of bad governance. In addition to being overpopulated, Bangladesh is also resource-poor and has one of the most unskilled populations, largely lumpen elements and peasants. According to Marx, these people represent “the unchanging remnants of the past”. The second round of independence empowered these lumpen classes, who suffer from an identity crisis and never learn the art of governance. The proliferation of pseudo-history about liberation has further divided the polity between the two warring tribes who only glorify their respective idols, Mujib and Zia. Pre-political and pre-capitalist peasants’ / lumpen elements’ lack of mutual trust and respect have further plagued Bangladesh, turning it into one of the least governable, corrupt, and inefficient countries. It is essential to replace the pre-capitalist order of the country run by multiple lumpen classes with capitalist and inclusive institutions.

Lu Jiang goes to the United States to study in 1989 when her marriage breaks up. On the airplane, she happens to sit by a sad Chinese writer, also a political exile. Their story starts to develop and ends a decade later when he dies in her arms. In New York, she meets a group of Chinese students who become her lifelong friends. Two years later, Lu Jiang returns to China to teach and to bring up her son. When routing through Europe, Lu Jiang meets an ambitious man in London whose aspiration is to build a strong and prosperous China. Their friendship evolves into love after they meet again in China. Yet their relationship brings them more pain than they can possibly foresee. Years later, many of her friends return to China, too, and become pillars of society. This book tells the life stories of Lu Jiang and her friends over a span of thirty plus years. Tasting all flavors that life has to offer, they age as they witness in pride the advancement of their motherland, which their generation helps to bring about.

Only mutual compassion can bring reconciliation and lasting peace to the Middle East. This conflict is about far more than just land. The honor of Muslims was grossly violated when Israel was implanted next to one of the holiest sites of Islam, al Haram ash Sharif in Jerusalem – which, in turn, occupies the site of the former Jewish Temple. For thirteen hundred years Jews had been able to live mostly in peace in the Muslim world, because they subordinated themselves under the rule of Islam. They could even attain high positions serving Caliphs. With a State of their own this was no longer an option. Under such changed conditions, how could there be an honorable peace? Only if Muslims recollect Surat 5:48 in the holy Koran, which commands a competition in virtue among the religions of the book. Jews can contribute by showing awareness of how shocking their sudden takeover of part of the land must have felt for the community of all Muslims, and concurrently by pleading for understanding of the deadly threat that left Jewish survivors no choice when, in 1947, the UN declared the partition of Palestine. Even more important, the very name “Israel” itself sprang up in the solution of an archetypal biblical conflict between brothers, one pregnant with meaning for today. Christians too have their share. They must contribute by helping restore one of the most fundamental values of all three religions descending from Abraham, namely peace.

This book is an extraordinary account of a man’s vision, of a life that for over six decades successfully championed the betterment of Muslim youth and communities the world over. Totonji, a lone voice with little training, would become an inspiration for others and a powerful fundraiser. From a humble few hundred dollars of his own money, and an efficient team of like-minded students, he ultimately established one of the largest networks of local and international organisations in the world, travelling to more than 130 countries over the course of decades, to render help wherever it was needed. Along that journey he met some eminent personalities including Dato’ Anwar Ibrahim (current Prime Minister of Malaysia), Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. His impact on others from East to West is immeasurable. As such this book is not about Totonji but his work – what faith, passion, drive and determination can achieve. In it he shares essential spiritual and ethical leadership principles, in the hope that others draw valuable lessons from all he has learned and live the experience with him. Seeking no praise and no gain, Allah and prayer was his first priority, service to others his second, and all else third.