Opérations scientifiques en cours
26482
SOUTH-ASIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN CONNECTIONS (1900S-1970S)
NEW PERSPECTIVES ON SOUTH-ASIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN CONNECTIONS (1900S-1970S)
| Simon Conrad | Intellectual history, history of ideas, Postdoctoral researcher | OIB | |
 | Antoinette Ferrand | IFAO |
Over the past decade, connections between the Arab world and South Asia have received increasing scholarly attention. By and large, these studies are characterised by three main features: first, they predominantly examine these connections through the lens of religious exchange, particularly those related to Islam; second, they often focus on individual trajectories at the expense of more systemic dynamics of networks that bind these two spaces together; and third, they often struggle to free themselves from disciplinary and regional compartmentalisation (conditioned not least by area studies), making the comparison of phenomena common to the two areas studied difficult. This conference seeks to move beyond existing paradigms and explore new approaches to the relationships between the Arab world and South Asia, while uncovering understudied historical episodes of exchange. The conference’s focus is on the period between the years following the First World War and the height of the Cold War. The exchange and these connections we seek to investigate are manifold: they encompass the production of knowledge in one region of the other; histories and imaginaries of anti-colonial solidarity; military and proto-diplomatic relations extending beyond colonial rule; the exchange of technological expertise; cultural and academic collaboration; and much more. Contributions will pay particular attention to unpublished sources in different languages and original perspectives.
Aside from covering new ground in the fields of South Asia, Middle East, and global history, the conference seeks to foster a community of scholars interested in links, echoes, contrasts, and comparisons between South Asia and the Middle East. Since most scholars interested in such studies often come with a specialisation in the histories of one region rather than the other, we see the conference as an interesting opportunity to bring together two academic communities with the aim of sharing ideas, recommendations, and practical research advice.
The conference will take place at the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, on 9 & 10 May 2026. To apply, please send a title, an abstract (500 words) and a short biography, as well as a provisional travel plan at aferrand@ifao.egnet.net before 30 September 2025.
Aside from covering new ground in the fields of South Asia, Middle East, and global history, the conference seeks to foster a community of scholars interested in links, echoes, contrasts, and comparisons between South Asia and the Middle East. Since most scholars interested in such studies often come with a specialisation in the histories of one region rather than the other, we see the conference as an interesting opportunity to bring together two academic communities with the aim of sharing ideas, recommendations, and practical research advice.
The conference will take place at the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, on 9 & 10 May 2026. To apply, please send a title, an abstract (500 words) and a short biography, as well as a provisional travel plan at aferrand@ifao.egnet.net before 30 September 2025.