The Pearl of Khorasan
A History of Herat
Seiten
2026
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd (Verlag)
9781805264453 (ISBN)
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd (Verlag)
9781805264453 (ISBN)
- Noch nicht erschienen (ca. Februar 2026)
- Portofrei ab CHF 40
- Auch auf Rechnung
- Artikel merken
Herat is one of the most significant trading and cultural entrepots of Eurasia, which has long celebrated its Persian heritage. Charlie Gammell's splendid account spans its history to the present day
The city of Herat in western Afghanistan long sat at the edge of empires and served as a hub for trade and a conduit for armies. Yet it has been much more than simply a staging post or plaything of political ambition. It has been an imperial capital, a city of extraordinary wealth, and has played host to a cultural renaissance to rival that of Florence. The Pearl of Khorasan tells the history of this storied oasis city, from the invasions of Chingiz Khan in 1221 to the present day. An epilogue assesses the challenges Herat faces in the wake of Afghanistan's recent turmoil.
Throughout Herat's cycles of conquest and habitation, several patterns emerge: the primacy of geography; the city's strong identification with the fertility of the banks of the Hari River; and its reputation as a place of theological excellence, tolerance and cultural refinement. From the luminescent genius of the Timurid century to the destruction and cultural vandalism associated with the Taliban's rule of Afghanistan and the post-9/11 conflict, Herat has hosted empires and experienced the cupidity and lust for power of foreign agents. Using Persian, Pashto and British sources, the author paints a vivid picture of a city in which he has lived, presenting a personal vision of its tumultuous history.
The city of Herat in western Afghanistan long sat at the edge of empires and served as a hub for trade and a conduit for armies. Yet it has been much more than simply a staging post or plaything of political ambition. It has been an imperial capital, a city of extraordinary wealth, and has played host to a cultural renaissance to rival that of Florence. The Pearl of Khorasan tells the history of this storied oasis city, from the invasions of Chingiz Khan in 1221 to the present day. An epilogue assesses the challenges Herat faces in the wake of Afghanistan's recent turmoil.
Throughout Herat's cycles of conquest and habitation, several patterns emerge: the primacy of geography; the city's strong identification with the fertility of the banks of the Hari River; and its reputation as a place of theological excellence, tolerance and cultural refinement. From the luminescent genius of the Timurid century to the destruction and cultural vandalism associated with the Taliban's rule of Afghanistan and the post-9/11 conflict, Herat has hosted empires and experienced the cupidity and lust for power of foreign agents. Using Persian, Pashto and British sources, the author paints a vivid picture of a city in which he has lived, presenting a personal vision of its tumultuous history.
Educated at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, C. P. W. Gammell is a historian of Afghanistan and Iran who has written widely on Herat’s history. He has worked in Afghanistan and Iran since 2009, including interpreting Dari and Pashtu for the International Committee of the Red Cross and advising UNESCO. A former British diplomat, he appears regularly on Sky News, BBC Persian and a range of podcasts, among others.
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 12.2.2026 |
|---|---|
| Zusatzinfo | 16 Illustrations, color |
| Verlagsort | London |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 138 x 216 mm |
| Themenwelt | Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Regional- / Ländergeschichte |
| ISBN-13 | 9781805264453 / 9781805264453 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
aus dem Bereich
die Geschichte meiner Urgroßmutter
Buch | Hardcover (2025)
C.H.Beck (Verlag)
CHF 32,15
Träume und Macht : eine Biografie
Buch | Hardcover (2025)
C.H.Beck (Verlag)
CHF 61,60
