Jewish and Christian Diaspora in Greater Khurāsān during the First Three Centuries AH

Abstract

Due to its closeness to the various ancient civilizations including China, India, Greece, and the Mediterranean world, Greater Khurāsān has been credited with religious and cultural diversity from the outset. Followers of different religions have co-existed within this area both during pre and post Common Era. When Muslim armies conquered Khurāsān in the first/seventh century, the worshipers of other religions faced new challenges, and some of them such as Zoroastrians left their homeland and immigrated to India. By obeying Islamic rules, some others including Jews and Christians remained faithful to their ancestral religions. The existence of numerous synagogues and patriarchates within certain cities such as Marw and Nayshāpūr, and the Jewish names of certain villages, testify to the fact that the aforementioned minorities inhabited Greater Khurāsān at least during the early centuries. This ongoing research tries to shed light on the Jews and Christians’ diaspora and their social life in Greater Khurāsān during the early centuries following a historical-analytical approach. We will answer whether the existence of religious sites in Greater Khurāsān signifies a tolerant atmosphere in a Muslim environment? Have Muslims tolerated their Jewish and Christian surroundings?