South Asia Strategic Research Center (GASAM) was founded in 2004 to provide accurate and objective information about the historical, political, economic, and sociocultural structures of the South Asian region, composed of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as about strategic and geopolitical dynamics of the region. GASAM aims to inform the Turkish public about South Asian countries and, in return, inform the South Asian public about Türkiye. It also aims to procure mutual benefits for them in the historical, economic, academic, and sociocultural domains, and this way to contribute to regional and global peace. “South Asia Country Analyses” provides an overview of the region to improve the understanding of South Asian countries in Türkiye. This study aims to become a source of fundamental information about South Asia that will hopefully contribute to improving bilateral relations between Türkiye and the region’s countries. It also seeks to explore South Asia’s geographical,historical, political, and economic potential and raise general awareness regarding the significance of this region. he study is divided into two parts. The initial section is an introductory chapter discussing the general characteristics of South Asia. The second part provides separate analyses of eight South Asian countries. A different author wrote each chapter in this work. The book is prepared in two languages, Turkish and English, and the texts deliberately avoid complex academic jargon, offering analyses instead in a direct and succinct style. One of the most significant attributes of this book is that it is an objective and collective work. It is also a pioneering study in that there is no such study with this scope either in Türkiye or in the region’s countries. From this perspective, it is hoped that readers in Türkiye and South Asian countries will find this book, sponsored by GASAM, an invaluable compendium of fundamental information about South Asia. We would like to convey our gratitude to every person and institution who supported the realization of our project. We hope that this work will contribute to the social, political, scientific, cultural, and economic activities between Türkiye and South Asian countries. Cemal Demir GASAM President

A groundbreaking critique of the West's historical, cultural, and political perceptions of the East that is—three decades after its first publication—one of the most important books written about our divided world. "Intellectual history on a high order ... and very exciting." —The New York Times In this wide-ranging, intellectually vigorous study, Said traces the origins of "orientalism" to the centuries-long period during which Europe dominated the Middle and Near East and, from its position of power, defined "the orient" simply as "other than" the occident. This entrenched view continues to dominate western ideas and, because it does not allow the East to represent itself, prevents true understanding.

In a second edition of their successful Concise History of Modern India, Barbara Metcalf and Thomas Metcalf explore India's modern history afresh and update the events of the last decade. These include the takeover of Congress from the seemingly entrenched Hindu nationalist party in 2004, India's huge advances in technology and the country's new role as a major player in world affairs. From the days of the Mughals, through the British Empire, and into Independence, the country has been transformed by its institutional structures. It is these institutions which have helped bring about the social, cultural and economic changes that have taken place over the last half century and paved the way for the modern success story. Despite these advances, poverty, social inequality and religious division still fester. In response to these dilemmas, the book grapples with questions of caste and religious identity, and the nature of the Indian nation.

Thinking Design looks at ‘design’ in its broadest sense and shows how design originates in ‘human need’ which is not only physical but also psychological, socio-cultural, ecological and spiritual. The book calls for broad-based, socially integrated designs with a large global vision that offer creative solutions to a variety of subjects rather than providing multiplicity of objects. Exploring the course taken by design during the time of Gandhi and in the following era, the author advocates the need for service - or process-oriented designs in contrast to product-oriented designs. A remarkable feature of the book is the way its narrative is enlivened with case studies detailing design inventions, interspersed with tales of Mullah Nasiruddin that provide a tongue-in-cheek take on aspects of design.

Chris Pinney demonstrates how printed images were pivotal to India's struggle for national and religious independence. He also provides a history of printing in India.

John Travers Mends (Jack) Gibson was born on March 3, 1908 and died on October 23, 1994 at the age of 86.In some ways, Jack was the last Indian Englishman. He came ten years before independence and stayed on 47 years after it, rendering dedicated service to the country of his adoption for 57 years. Jack's journey started as a school teacher at The Doon School. He was the last English Principal of Mayo College and the last English President of the Himalayan Club. He was the last, and for most of the time the only English resident of Ajmer. He must have been just about the last Englishman to have been honored by both the British and Indian Governments.Brij Sharma is a journalist based in Bahrain. He spent much of his childhood and youth in Dehra Dun, and while not a product of The Doon School, he has known its campus, the surroundings of the city and much of the mountainous terrain described in Gibson's letters.http://www.jtmgibson.com