Encyclopædia Iranica

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Encyclopædia Iranica is a project of Columbia University started in 1974 at its Center for Iranian (Persian) Studies with the goal to create a comprehensive and authoritiative English language encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples from prehistory to modern times.

The scope goes beyond Persia (Iran) and encompasses other geographical areas where Iranian languages dominated in cernain times: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Baluchistan, Kurdistan, as well as some regions of Pakistan, India, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Mesopotamia. Relations of the Iranian world with other cultures (China, Europe, etc.) are also covered.

It has already published 12 volumes, and is planning to publish a total of up to 30 volumes. It is edited by Ehsan Yarshater and a board (chaired by Mahmoud Khayami), including over 40 Consulting Editors from major international institutions doing research in Iranian Studies and the growing number (over 1,200 in 2006) of scholar authors from academic institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Since 1979, it has been sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and funded by the NEH and a variety of charitable foundations and individuals.

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