1. Iraj Bashiri is professor of history at the University of Minnesota, United States, and one of the leading scholars in the fields of Central Asian studies and Iranian Studies.
16 Facts About Iraj Bashiri
1. 2.
Fluent in English, Persian, Tajik, and several Turkic languages, Bashiri has been able to study and translate works otherwise inaccessible to the mostly Russian-speaking Central Asian studies community.
3.
Iraj Bashiri's career focus started on Iran, and engaged with Central Asia, notably the Tajik identity and the relations between Tajiks and the Turkic people of Central Asia, namely the Uzbeks.
4.
Iraj Bashiri was born on July 31,1940, in Behbahan, Iran.
5.
Iraj Bashiri completed his early education in the towns of Damaneh and Daran in Fereydan and his high school in Isfahan and Shiraz.
6.
Iraj Bashiri graduated in 1961 with a diploma in mathematics from Haj Qavam High School in Shiraz.
7.
Between 1960 and 1963, Iraj Bashiri studied English Language and Literature at Pahlavi University and in 1963 graduated at the top of his class.
8.
In 1964, Iraj Bashiri left Iran to study English Literature in the United Kingdom and, in 1966, he traveled to the United States to continue his education.
9.
Iraj Bashiri's dissertation is based on Ibn Sina's concept of Existence.
10.
Iraj Bashiri was promoted to Associate Professor in 1977 and to Professor in 1996.
11.
Iraj Bashiri is currently a professor of history at the University of Minnesota.
12.
Iraj Bashiri has developed and taught courses on the history of the peoples of Central Asia and Afghanistan.
13.
Iraj Bashiri has traveled extensively in Iran and Central Asia, including stints as a visiting scholar in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
14.
Iraj Bashiri has been involved in the administration of his home University.
15.
Iraj Bashiri has been active in College committees, especially in relation to curricula.
16.
Iraj Bashiri's hobbies include writing realist fiction, fishing, and painting Central Asian and Iranian rural life.