Alexandra L. Safronova

The article is dedicated to the history of the foundation of the Historical branch in the Institute of Asian and African Studies in 1956 and depicts the activities of certain historical departments. It reflects the main periods and actual trends in the development of the historical studies on Asia and Africa, revealing unity and diversity in the historical development of various parts of Asia and Africa regions.

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the role and place of Buddhist heritage in the formation of all-national identity in modern India, where Buddhist ideas are incorporated into the governmental strategy of unification of the state and interpreted as a composite part of cultural foundations of South Asian civilization, strengthening the links between the peoples inside the boundaries of contemporary state.

The article is focused on the problems of defining the governmental policy of the Republic of India towards the former princely territories after their integration into newly created independent state, constructing of the image of “princes without princely states”, revealing the reaction of princely community to republican political system versus the ideals of monarchy. The article traces the destinies of princely dynasties in contemporary India and dwells on the problems of incorporation of their representatives into modern Indian society based on democratic traditions. The article shows the process of transformation of the attitude of Indian ruling circles to traditional elites of South Asia and reflects changing repercussions of this problem in national historiography. The article raises the questions whether the princely dynasties of India can be measured in terms of “gone with the wind” traditional groups destined to extinction or they managed to become a part of modern composite ruling stratum and what social and political values prevail in the minds of the common population of the former territories of princely states.

The article explores the main periods and trends in the development of studies in History and Politics in the Institute of Asian and African Studies and depicts the activities of certain departments. It reveals unity and diversity in the historical and contemporary social and political development of various parts of Asia and Africa regions.