This work is the English version, published for the first time, of the second edition of the two-volume magnum opus of well-known Soviet Tajik orientalist B.G. Gafurov, brought out in 1989 from Dushanbe in Russian language. The first Russian edition which was published in 1972 from Moscow was followed by Tajik and Persian (in Arabic script) editions as also in the Polish language translated from Russian.Though titled Tazhiki, Gafurov's work is, in fact, a well-researched comprehensive historical account of the march of the peoples (not just the Tajiks) living on the compact territory of Central Asia from times pre-historic to the threshold of the modern age. Creatively developing upon the foundations laid by outstanding Soviet scholars - V.V. Bartold, A.A.Semenov and M.S. Andreev of the 20s and A.Iu.Yakubovskii of the 30s of the previous century, Gafurov's work makes use of a plethora of historical sources of the most varied character to work out on the basis of his own research on Tajik history, as also the researches by a host of Soviet scholars in the post-war period, an inter-disciplinary framework for understanding the history and culture of the closely linked Central Asian peoples bound by age old civilisational ties with India, Iran, Afghanistan, China and Russia.Some of the problems analysed in the book are level of development of culture and economy of Central Asia, ties with the neighbouring countries, the Aryan problem, cultural synthesis between Central Asian, Iranian, Indian and Hellenic cultures, chronology and culture of the Kushans, besides history and culture of Tokharistan and Sogd. The Marxist approach of the author is reflected in his emphasis on issues related to economic development and social transformation and the popular struggles against foreign invaders and indigenous oppressors and tyrants. Rs 2500, US$ 80(2 Vols.)About the AuthorBabajan Gafurovich Gafurov (1908-1977) - eminent scholar statesman, leading Soviet Tajik scholar, member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and Tajik SSR and several foreign scientific and cultural societies. Gafurov began his career as a journalist in Tajikistan after completing his higher education in Moscow. He became Propaganda and Agitation Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan in 1941 and was elevated to the position of First Secretary in 1946. He continued to hold this office until 1956 when he was appointed Director of the USSR Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow following the 20th Party Congress of the CPSU. His tenure as Director of this prestigious Soviet Institute lasted till his death in Dushanbe in 1977.Inspite of his pre-occupation with higher politics, Gafurov continued his active interest in historical research. In 1941 he was awarded a Ph.D. degree by the Moscow Institute of History on the topic "History of the Ismaili Sect from the beginning of the 19th century to the First World War". Gafurov got his D.Sc. degree on his work "A Short History of the Tajik People" in 1947. Gafurov was a member of the board of editors for the five volume collective work "History of the Tajik People" published in 1963-1965. Gafurov was member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1952 to 1961 and an elected deputy of the USSR Supreme Soviet from 1946 to 1970. He was decorated with the "Order of Lenin" four times. The Republic of Tajikistan posthumously awarded him the highest honour of "Hero of Tajikistan" in the post-Soviet period. A city in the Republic is named after him.