Many great processes of world history had their origins in Central Asia. This article explores the religious and social life of Central Asian peoples both before and after Islamization, relying on historical records written in Arabic, Persian, and Chinese, as well as modern scholarship in art history and archaeology. It demonstrates that Central Asian peoples have survived numerous calamities and thrived in a constantly changing environment, particularly in the transitional phase from a predominantly Buddhist to a predominantly Muslim region.
目次
The Setting 56 Buddhism in Central Asia Before The Arab Conquest 57 The Arab Conquest of Central Asia 64 Central Asians in An Islamic World 69 Central Asian Islam Spread Out 73
