Islam in Central Asia: A Study from Historical Perspective

Abstract

The region of Central Asia, since many years, i.e. more than 3000 years became a crossroads for major ethnic and cultural migrations. The region also became a trading and meeting place for ancient world's great civilizations such as Persian, Greek, Indian, Chinese and Islamic. The most influential were the Islamic civilizations for the region. Before Russian Invasion Central Asia passed through many ethnic and cultural shades. Russian invasion exploited these nations socially, economically and politically and deviate these republics from their cultural and ethnic history which was Turkic and Iranian in nature. These republics were made dependent on the Soviet legacy. Therefore, after Soviet-break-up the region was left on its own feet and destiny with so many challenges ahead to stand as an independent nation. Therefore, the research is an attempt to analyze the impact of religion and past legacy on Central Asian Republics to form their national identity as Muslims and not Russians.