Luqmon boymatov1

Luqmon Boymatov: The melon and apricot Festivals… a mockery of human knowledge.

The announcement of the "Tajiks – the Mirror of History" contest in 2023 in Tajikistan and the discussions about it on social media prompted us to reflect, through an interview, on the significance of Bobojon Ghafurov and his book "Tajiks" in the context of Tajik historiography, as well as on the importance of history for a nation.

We interviewed Luqmon Boymatov, a prominent Tajik historian, professor, director of the International Research Institute for Tajik Studies, and editor-in-chief of the international scientific journal "Turonnama." Currently residing in Sweden, he kindly agreed to answer our questions, which are now presented to you, dear reader. Of course, the judgment is yours.

„Oiina“: The announcement of the "Tajiks – the Mirror of History" contest by the President of Tajikistan sparked discussions on social media. While some supported this initiative, others considered it an over-glorification of a single book – "Tajiks." There were even comparisons between "Tajiks" and the Quran, which I believe were more politically and ideologically motivated. In light of these views, I would like to ask for your opinion, as a historian, on the significance of Bobojon Ghafurov's book "Tajiks," especially considering it was written during the dominance of communist ideology. 

Boymatov: Since I have already provided sufficient analysis and critique of the scientific importance of Bobojon Ghafurov's book "Tajiks" in various languages (for example, see: "Tajiks" is a treasure trove of knowledge, but not an idol. December 31, 2019), I will try to briefly address the issues raised above in this conversation.

The book "Tajiks" is undoubtedly one of the most valuable historical works of the Soviet era. In my opinion, its scientific significance will be remembered in history for three reasons:

First, "Tajiks" is the first comprehensive and complete historical work written by a knowledgeable and far-sighted Tajik historian. It was based on in-depth analysis of authoritative orientalist works from the Soviet era, adhering to communist ideology and its frameworks. The main goal of the author's thoughts was to counter the growing influence of "new Pan-Turkism" in Soviet historiography.

Second, the book defends the historical rights of the Tajik nation. Tajiks and their ancestors are among the oldest peoples in the region. The history of the Tajiks is an integral part of the proud history of the Aryan (Iranian) peoples. The contribution of this nation to the civilization of the nomadic Turkic and Mongol tribes is immense, and its influence on the history of Central Asia is greater than that of other peoples in the region. 

Third, issues related to the formation of the Tajik people (referred to at that time as the "Tajik nationality") as a unified nation are discussed in almost every chapter of the book, making this sensitive historical topic the soul of the work. "Tajiks" is not just a narration of history; it is the first attempt to systematize and conceptualize the most important issues in the history of the Tajiks over the centuries.

„Oiina“: It seems that the announcement of this contest in 2023 is not only a tribute to Bobojon Ghafurov but also to history as a whole. However, the key question is: has the role of history in the formation of a nation been understood in our society? Or, in other words, how would you assess the understanding of history in a society that has been subjected to external invasions in the past?

Boymatov: Respecting history and culture is a noble thing. However, the intention behind organizing such a "cultural celebration" is merely for a group of opportunistic officials to show off in front of the public. These kinds of actions will neither contribute to the "mission of history" nor to the "formation of a nation," because a nation cannot be built through "showmanship" and "artificial encouragement." Organizing historical contests for the public in times of intellectual poverty does not reflect an understanding of national history; instead, it undermines the dignity of history.

The most important condition for becoming a nation is awareness. However, we see that national historiography, which should be at the forefront of educating the people, is itself powerless and has been in a disastrous state for the past several decades. 

Isn't it obvious that corruption has deeply rooted itself in the soil of knowledge and science? Titled scholars emerge like mushrooms after a spring rain; doctoral dissertations accumulate like bricks in the warehouses of the Academy of Sciences; thanks to connections and nepotism, scientific institutions are filled with random individuals and fake researchers, far removed from the academic environment. Flattery has become the norm in historiography, and the theft of the works of previous researchers within the scientific institutions of the academy knows no bounds. Alas, this shameful phenomenon has become the "scientific tradition" of contemporary Tajikistan.

With all this internal Tumult of egoism and hypocrisy, do we have the right to say that in our society — among the Tajiks — “the mission of history in the formation of a nation has been understood”? No, the reality is quite the opposite. Alas, many events in recent years have clearly shown that we have not yet fully become a nation, and I will say openly that the science of history has not fulfilled its mission to society. For this reason, the history of the nation has been forgotten.

We must understand that a nation that forgets its history inevitably loses its pride, and a society that loses its pride will inevitably be subject to the mockery and scorn of other nations. When the intellectuals and literati, especially historians, remain silent in the face of the diminishing prestige of the nation in the eyes of other peoples, how can we affirm that the Tajiks have become a complete nation? When all human values have been thrown into the dirt of humiliation, and the people remain silent, can we speak of the existence of national pride?

 We must be aware and free. We must believe that victory lies within victory itself and that we are the creators of the most effective conditions for achieving it.

„Oiina“: “Tajiks” was published during a period when Tajiks were under colonialism. Independence officially replaced colonialism. But how much has this process of independence managed to rid the public consciousness of colonial thinking? Are there objective and subjective factors that prevent the eradication of colonialism from people’s minds?

Boymatov: It is true that the book “Tajiks” was published at a time when the Tajik people, like other Soviet peoples, were under the yoke of colonialism. Although the entrenched Soviet colonial regime was a reality, this does not mean that scientific opinions and ideas were absent in the works of researchers and authors. For example, the scientific views of the distinguished Soviet-era historian B. Ghafurov on the most important and sensitive issues of Tajik history, despite being expressed within the framework of communist ideology, undoubtedly required exceptional scientific and political courage. Thankfully, in B. Ghafurov, the Tajik people had a far-sighted defender of national interests, which was a rare stroke of fortune for the nation in the 20th century.

Historical science and fundamental historical works are among the main tools for building national identity for any people. There is no doubt that B. Ghafurov’s book “Tajiks” remains a model for every national historian. As we know, this book was republished extensively during the years of independence, but unfortunately, each time without scientific commentary and academic explanation.

Whether we like it or not, all the deficiencies and intellectual limitations of the Soviet era reflected in this book are transmitted to its readers without any conditions. Some of the elements and traces of colonial thinking present in this book (for example, the author’s views on topics such as “the brotherhood and equality of nations in the former Soviet republics,” “the incorporation of Central Asia,” “the great importance of the October Revolution,” “sacrificing historical rights for the sake of friendship and brotherhood with the fraternal republics,” etc.) are raised again in society in a new way.

Undoubtedly, our historians have for the first time tasted the fruits of independence, but unfortunately, they have not made sufficient efforts to defend and uphold its values. Moreover, they themselves have fallen victim to colonial thinking. It can be confidently said that much of what is necessary and important has not yet been done. Historiography, scientific and research environments require deep reforms. If we want independence, we must first have independence of thought!

„Oiina“: Can you give some examples of the work that should have been done?

Boymatov: As you know, in the current context, the nations of the world are engaged in “reviving their national histories.” This process has spread to all the former Soviet republics, and sometimes this “construction of national history” turns into a kind of “widespread national revival.” It is no secret that for more than three decades, scholars and even politicians in some of our neighboring powerful states have engaged in distorting the national history of the Tajiks with malicious intent. Their audacity has reached such a level that recently the Tajik people were officially declared “foreign and without identity” in the Central Asian region.

We must not lose our vigilance because the ultimate goal and strategy of such “scientific” claims by the so-called “new reformers” is the seizure of the territories of weak states, the breaking of their spirit, and, eventually, the erasure of the true historical memory of these fragmented and weakened peoples, of which the Tajiks, without a doubt, are a part.

 Scientific responses, based on the latest data from research and specialized studies, have yet to be provided by the Institute of History of the Republic’s Academy of Sciences in response to the claims of proponents of the “new scientific perspectives.” Unfortunately, our science is not prepared for the battle to defend national history and the national past. As for what was recently written under the supervision of academician R. Masov and published at various times, I can say outright that it has become “outdated” and certainly does not meet the needs of the Tajik nation and society.

In my view, defending the historical rights and historical identity of the Tajik people, considering the most pressing needs of society, and drafting a new, comprehensive national project titled “The Complete History of the Tajiks” by the Academy of Sciences in English is essential and necessary!

„Oiina“: Historians believe that “history is for learning,” while some call it “fiction.” Of course, this kind of “fiction” differs from the allegories used by Muhammad Iqbal. Could you explain to our readers the meaning of the phrase “history is for learning” and also clarify to what extent this concept has been understood by Tajik authorities?

Boymatov: History is the story of people’s lives, and historians are the interpreters of these stories. What happens to an individual, society, or state is the result of human thought, action, and behavior. Whether good or bad, praiseworthy or detestable, all of it comes from history and is hidden within its treasure. The lives of people in the past were once the present, and they became history, just as our present will become history for future generations. Therefore, history is not a dead thing but a living entity that breathes with humanity and is constantly changing. It is clear that the actions of society, both past and present, are the primary sources and lessons for future generations.

One of the characteristics of governments, both in the past and in modern times, is their need for history and historiography to establish and maintain their power. However, once their power becomes stable, they begin to deny the lessons of history with their actions. The undeniable results of this denial of historical lessons have been the collapse of civilizations, cultures, empires, states, nations, and other tragic events that have been recorded in the pages of history with deep regret. Thus, it can be said that not only the authorities but even many of our contemporary intellectuals and writers have not fully understood the importance and virtues of the science of history.

On this and other topics, readers and those interested in the science of history can refer to our books such as “Historicism,” “We Are Deceived,” “Despots in the Mirror of History,” and others. (PDF versions of these books are available on the website).

„Oiina“: Dear professor, can you specifically say which historical periods of the Tajiks are most significant for targeted study?

Boymatov: For a genuine historian, researching and analyzing all periods of national history is important and valuable. It is essential that the historian approaches the subject with a fully scientific and logical method. If a researcher is deeply immersed in their subject, they will undoubtedly be able to uncover gems from the ashes of any period. But if they are not, they will turn the gems of history into dust and ash. For example, we can clearly see this in the way leading historians of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan have responded to the "attacks and assaults" of numerous historians and politicians from neighboring countries on the identity and historical rights of the Tajik nation, which has recently turned into a kind of "scientific and informational movement."

The most unjust reaction of our scholars to these attacks is their silence. It is shameful that even when society is in dire need of scientific answers on various topics of national history, the responsible researchers and scholars remain silent. 

At this moment, I am less concerned with “which historical periods of the Tajiks are more significant for targeted study,” and more with how we can protect historical truth and defend our historical heritage from the grasp of the "modern-day marauders." The ineffectiveness of our historians is so alarming that they do not even know effective ways to defend the historical rights of their nation in front of rivals and adversaries.

„Oiina“: My question was about those stages of national history that, if focused on, could lead to greater unity of the nation and finding a way out of the humiliation you mention...

Boymatov: In my opinion, the most important and fundamental, and at the same time, the most identity-forming period in the history of the Tajik nation is the era of the Samanids. Of course, some work has been done to promote this period, but no extensive and broad research on the place of the Samanids and their rule has been conducted yet. As I said in one of my reviews, in today's conditions, it would be very appropriate to prepare a "Comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Samanids" in 10-12 volumes in English. However, it is crucial that this type of encyclopedia be of a high scientific level, matching global standards. Unfortunately, the latest encyclopedias published in Tajikistan cannot be said to meet this criterion fully.

Often, in the scientific and educational books of the Tajik people, the history of the Tajiks during the Turkic and Mongol dominations, which ruled Central Asia for centuries after the fall of the Samanids, is overshadowed by the general history of the Turkic peoples. For various reasons, the nation has long been deprived of knowing the true facts of its national history. Therefore, writing thorough and comprehensive works about the real state of the Tajik people during these great historical stages should be one of the primary responsibilities of our national historiography. 

The preparation of extensive works on the modern history of Russia's colonization of Central Asia, new scientific interpretations of Russian colonial policies, and a detailed scientific review and critique of Soviet history are undoubtedly first-level needs of the nation, which must be addressed based on the latest scientific data of our time.

I am confident that implementing such a fully national project in the development of historical science will provide a very solid foundation for the nation and society in finding ways to overcome humiliation.

„Oiina“: Can you name some nations in the world that have managed to build themselves as a unified nation by learning from their historical past? 

Boymatov: Undoubtedly, there are many such nations. One could say that almost all nations of the world have learned lessons from the past of other nations and especially from their own history. The experiences of nations like the Japanese, Chinese, Germans, English, Irish, French, Italians, Dutch, Swedes, and others, which are discussed in their scientific and educational books, are commendable.

However, the quality and content of the information provided in our history textbooks compared to the achievements of other nations of the world are very, very low and sometimes even embarrassing. For example, take note that, to this day, the latest scientific data on Mahmud Torobi's uprising have not been used in the "History of the Tajik People" textbooks, whether scientific or educational, and the authors rely only on the scientific information from the Soviet period. This unfortunate situation applies to the interpretation of all Tajik national-liberation uprisings throughout their more than 2,500-year history. I have written many critical articles on this topic. Unfortunately, guiding textbooks for teachers and students of history faculties in Tajik universities have not yet been developed. 

„Oiina“: What consequences will the modern manipulation of history for political purposes bring to society? 

Boymatov: The tradition of politicizing history has always existed and will continue to exist because, whether we like it or not, the science of history deals with the analysis of political, social, cultural, and other events. On the other hand, political science is a child of history and sociology. You are right: after gaining independence, "rewriting history" became a "trend," especially in the former Soviet republics. Forcing historical facts and events to serve the political goals of governments and authorities inevitably removes science and knowledge from the sphere of logical reasoning. Ultimately, such "scientific data" is neither useful for politics nor for educating the people. Therefore, researchers must adhere to the main principles of science and well-known ethical standards in their research. We must not forget that a well-crafted lie by a scholar can lead an entire society astray. 

„Oiina“: Some historians believe that the Turks were able to build their nations using Islam, and the Russians did so using the Great Patriotic War. Is there a similarly important factor today for the Tajiks, something that could unite us regardless of political, social, or regional differences and make us a single nation? 

Boymatov: Unfortunately, Tajik intellectuals, especially modern historians, have paid little attention to the factors and elements that could unite all Tajiks worldwide. Our negligence of this issue has led us to a point where we confuse lies with the truth. I can confidently say that the unifying factors in the history of our nation are much stronger and more significant than the artificial concepts being created for our society today. Festivals like "Melon Day," "Apricot Day," "Potato Day," and "Hair Day" are, in essence, a mockery of human intellect.

Our society does not need such artificial "unifying" festivals. These actions contradict the spirit of Tajik intellectual and cultural enlightenment. I won’t go into further detail, as history itself is a witness, but I will say this: historians and researchers of national history should focus on identifying those factors and elements that promote national unity. This is how we can save our people from dangerous trends like regionalism, ethnic division, family-based governments, authoritarianism, and the selfishness of opportunistic officials. 

To realize the nation's most fundamental goals, including maintaining genuine national unity, promoting intellectual development, and establishing meritocracy in all aspects of Tajik society, is a necessity. Otherwise, the Tajik society will neither achieve true enlightenment nor ever reach genuine national unity.

„Oiina“: Lastly, let’s return to the "Tajiks – Mirror of History" contest. In your opinion, how should it be organized to help people better understand the essence of history?

Boymatov: It would have been more logical and appropriate to hold such cultural and educational initiatives this year, as it marks exactly 50 years (half a century!) since the book "Tajiks" was first published in Moscow in 1972 in Russian. From a historical perspective, celebrating B. Ghafurov and his book "Tajiks" this year would have been far more scientific and logical than doing so in 2023. When a scientific and cultural event emphasizing the importance of national history does not follow the core principle of historical science—historicity—how can we expect historical contests to help people better understand the essence of history?

„Oiina“: Thank you, professor, for such an open conversation.