ABSTRACT

This volume covers the first one hundred years of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, formerly the Royal Central Asian Society. It traces its fons et origo in the Central Asian Question, within the context of the 'Great Game', and continues its fascinating chronology through the two World Wars to the present day. There are separate chapters on its widely drawn membership, variety of activities and archive collection. Throughout the pages are glimpses and vignettes of some of its extraordinary, even eccentric, members and their astonishing adventures. The wealth of factual and often amusing detail makes it a very lively account, which is also valuable as a work of reference for all interested in Asia. The book is generously illustrated and includes some of the Society's unique archival photographs not previously published.

part |2 pages

Part One m THE CHRONOLOGY

chapter II|12 pages

THE YEARS OF STRUGGLE 1908–1919

chapter III|16 pages

FROM LEAN YEARS TO GOLDEN YEARS 1920–1939

chapter IV|16 pages

FROM EMPIRE AND BACK TO TRADE 1940–1959

chapter V|18 pages

SETTLING TO A BALANCE 1960–2001

part |2 pages

Part Two m THE MEMBERSHIP

chapter VI|24 pages

THE MEMBERSHIP

chapter VII|8 pages

THE JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP

part |2 pages

Part Three m THE ACTIVITIES

chapter VIII|8 pages

THE JOURNAL

chapter IX|6 pages

THE LIBRARY

chapter X|16 pages

THE ARCHIVES

chapter XI|6 pages

THE DINNER CLUB

chapter XII|6 pages

A ROLE IN EDUCATION

chapter XIII|12 pages

THE TOURS

chapter XIV|14 pages

THE LAWRENCE OF ARABIA MEMORIAL MEDAL

chapter XV|12 pages

THE SIR PERCY SYKES MEMORIAL MEDAL AND OTHER