V. A. Ivanov. Ocherki po istorii ismailizma

Description translated into English (original in Russian)

Ismaili Muslims, one of the largest Shia Muslim communities, have a long and complex history dating back to the formative period of Islam. Their history has been shrouded in myths and legends that dominated academic scholarship until the middle of twentieth century. It was only from this period that original Ismaili manuscripts became available, allowing scholars to critically examine the misrepresentation and deliberate distortion of the Ismaili movement by their detractors. Wladimir Ivanow was at the forefront of modern Ismaili studies and made significant and original contributions to the academic account of the history of the Ismailis and their teachings. This publication represents the first Russian translation of Ivanow’s works and serves to honour his academic achievements. The essays should appeal to anyone interested in not only the intricacies of Ismailism but also Islam in general.