The Ancient in the Present: The Politics of History in India and Iran

Discussants: Carlo Cereti, Ferdowsi Presidential Chair in Zoroastrian Studies and Professor of Classics and Religious Studies and Vinayak Chaturvedi, Professor of History

 

This interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars invites the audience to explore how ancient histories are mobilized and contested within the political landscapes of two of the world's most historically rich nations. Drawing on deep expertise, the talk examines how governments, institutions, and societies in India and Iran selectively invoke their ancient pasts to shape national identity, cultural narratives, and political agendas. Carlo Cereti, UCI Ferdowsi Presidential Chair in Zoroastrian Studies and Professor of Classics and Religious Studies, brings a nuanced understanding of pre-Islamic Iranian civilization and the enduring legacy of Zoroastrian thought and culture. Vinayak Chaturvedi, UCI Professor of History, contributes expertise in South Asian history, nationalism, and the ways historical memory intersects with power and ideology. Together, they will offer a thought-provoking comparative framework that illuminates both the parallels and divergences in how India and Iran navigate the weight of their ancient legacies in modern political life. This will be an enriching dialogue for anyone interested in the intersection of history, religion, classics, identity, and politics in the modern world.
 

Moderated by Nasrin Rahimieh, Howard Baskerville Professor of Humanities in the Department of Comparative Literature

 

Light Refreshments will be served.

 

Co-sponsored by the Classics Department.