British Institute of Persian Studies

A Silver JubileeAuthor(s): Basil GraySource: Iran, Vol. 24 (1986), p. iiiPublished by: British Institute of Persian StudiesStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4299762 .

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A SILVER JUBILEE

This year marks the SilverJubilee of the Institute, for it was founded in 1961 under the auspices of the British Academy following the State Visit to Iran of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of

Edinburgh in March of that year. The Governing Council was, in the first instance, appointed by the British Academy whose President, Sir Maurice Bowra and Vice-President, Professor M. E. L. Mallowan, together with the Academy's Secretary, Sir Mortimer Wheeler, first visited Tehran to discuss with Iranian authorities the establishment of the Institute.

Professor (later Sir Max) Mallowan presided over the Governing Council from its first meeting until his death in 1978 when he was succeeded by Sir Denis Wright; Mr. (now Professor) David Stronach, an archaeologist, was appointed Director of the Institute to reside in Tehran, a post he held until 1980. It is to these that the Institute is chiefly indebted for the achievements of its first twenty-five years.

The aim of its founders was to provide a focus for the long-standing British interest in Iranian studies; in history, archaeology, linguistics, literature and the arts; and to encourage these studies in

places of learning in the United Kingdom. This work implied and involved, as a matter of course, cooperation with Iranian scholars and with all in the international community of scholarship engaged in extending the boundaries of knowledge throughout these fields. It was intended that a base in Tehran might serve as the centre for British studies in Iran, where our students might stay and where lectures might be given covering current research and where a library of British and other Western scientific books and periodicals might be available to all those interested.

This base was first established in leased premises but in 1975 a public appeal was launched for funds to erect the Institute's own buildings in Tehran. With the help of generous contributions from both British and Iranian institutions, firms and individuals, the project was fully funded and the

building was opened in 1977. This base has been maintained and the library supported in spite of the crisis for all foreign institutes since the Islamic Revolution of 1978/79.

During the years 1961-1978 the Institute acquired an international reputation for its archaeologi- cal work; the main sites for its expeditions being Pasargadae (4 seasons), Siraf (6 seasons), Tepe Nush-i

Jan (5 seasons), Shahr-i Qumis (4 seasons). Many other field projects were undertaken. During this

period warm and fruitful cooperation was established with Iranian scholars and with other archae-

ological missions working in Iran. These activities, as well as other research in the history and culture of Iran, especially involved visiting scholars financed by the Institute through fellowships or grants, in all amounting to 67 men and women.

The principal organ for the regular publication of these researches has been the journal Iran which has maintained a high standard in the quality of its material and presentation. Contributions here have covered a wider field than archaeology, including important surveys of standing monuments and

specialist articles on many aspects of Iranian history and culture. This research continues unabated and with no lack of fresh material for publication not only by British scholars but also with support from Iranian and other international specialists in this wide field.

In addition, the Institute has published monographs on the excavations at Pasargadae, Nush-i Jan and Siraf; but its obligation to complete this series of reports remains and will require subsidy from the British Academy or other sources. All this activity has contributed substantially towards increased

knowledge and understanding of the history of Iran and appreciation of its cultural achievements. The Institute is committed by its statutes to a continuation of these activities so far as is practicable.

Despite restriction on the Institute's activities in Iran since the Islamic Revolution there has been little or no abatement of support for it in this country and abroad, as testified by a growing membership of over 350 individuals plus some 280 library subscribers and regular and large audiences at the Institute's annual summer and winter lectures in London.

BASIL GRAY

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