Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland The Society provides a forum for those who are interested in the history, languages, cultures and re

The Society provides a forum for those who are interested in the history, languages, cultures and beliefs of Asia to meet and exchange ideas. It offers lectures and seminars and it provides facilities for research and publishing.The RAS is not only for scholars and we welcome applications for Fellowship of the Society from anyone with a serious interest in Asian Studies. Fellows recieve the journal four times a year, may use the library, attend lectures and participate in general meetings. If you are interested please email the Director Alison Ohta
on this address: [email protected]

[Upcoming event]One of the most revered forms of Persian calligraphy, the Nastaʿlīq style is celebrated for its fluidity...
06/10/2026

[Upcoming event]

One of the most revered forms of Persian calligraphy, the Nastaʿlīq style is celebrated for its fluidity and aesthetic elegance.

Directed by Mehran Haghighi, 'Performing Beauty' is a documentary in seven movements that explores the aesthetic, spiritual and cultural significance of Nastaʿlīq.

Join us for a special screening of the film and discover the enduring legacy of this centuries-old literary tradition!

📅 14 Oct (Wednesday) – 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person only

For details, see: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/performing-beauty-film-screening/

See a trailer and teaser of the film at: www.nastaliqthefilm.com

Homa Films

[Upcoming event]How did writers navigate the political and cultural complexities of colonial Taiwan? Join us on Tuesday ...
02/10/2026

[Upcoming event]

How did writers navigate the political and cultural complexities of colonial Taiwan?

Join us on Tuesday 13 October as Prof Pei-yin Lin (University of Hong Kong) explores literary leftism in early 20th-century Japanese-ruled Taiwan through the stories of three Taiwanese writers. Discover their literary ambitions, political aspirations and responses to the rapidly changing sociopolitical landscapes.

📅 13 Oct (Tuesday) – 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person and online

Details: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/pei-yin-li

[Upcoming event]What can rock art reveal about early human imagination?Join us on 1 October for an illustrated lecture w...
22/09/2026

[Upcoming event]

What can rock art reveal about early human imagination?

Join us on 1 October for an illustrated lecture with authors Christoph Baumer and Therese Weber, who will explore this ancient tradition and its enduring resonance in myth and art.

Their talk draws on thirty years of petroglyph research across Central Asia, Scandinavia, Arabia and the Sahara, culminating in their recent book published by Bloomsbury Publishing UK.

📅 1 Oct (Thursday) – 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person and online

Details: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/christoph-baumer-and-therese-weber-rock-art-and-its-legacy-in-myth-and-art

[Upcoming event]On Thursday the 17th, we will welcome Lâle Uluç for a lecture on the Shāh Ṭahmāsp Album, the celebrated ...
08/09/2026

[Upcoming event]

On Thursday the 17th, we will welcome Lâle Uluç for a lecture on the Shāh Ṭahmāsp Album, the celebrated Safavid compilation of illustrated calligraphic works associated with Shah Ṭahmāsp (r. 1524–1576).

Join Uluç as she takes a closer examination of the album’s exceptional calligraphic artistry, from its scripts and compositions to textual provenance.

📅 17 Sept (Thursday) – 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person and online

Details: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/the-shah-tahmasp-album-from-the-istanbul-university-library/

[Upcoming event]Join us on Thursday 24 September for a talk marking the launch of Dr Simon Layton’s 'Piratical States', ...
03/09/2026

[Upcoming event]

Join us on Thursday 24 September for a talk marking the launch of Dr Simon Layton’s 'Piratical States', a new book exploring the expansion of British imperial power across the Indian Ocean in the early 19th century.

This talk will be chaired by Dr Sunil Purushotham, with Dr David Veevers and Professor Richard Drayton joining the conversation.

📅 24 Sept (Thursday) - 6pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person only

Details: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/simon-layton-book-launch-piratical-states-british-imperialism-in-the-indian-ocean-world-c-1780-1850/

[Upcoming event]We’re thrilled to announce a two-day conference dedicated to the latest research on the renowned archaeo...
18/08/2026

[Upcoming event]

We’re thrilled to announce a two-day conference dedicated to the latest research on the renowned archaeologist Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862–1943).

The conference brings together an international group of curators and scholars from Europe, Asia and North America with working knowledge of Stein’s archives and collections, to share new insights into his legacy.

As part of the programme, Professor Susan Whitfield from Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures will deliver a public lecture on 22 September, exploring the role of women – including several of Stein’s closest friends – in early-20th-century Asian travel, work and study.

***

Conference - Aurel Stein Archives and Collections Conference: Ongoing and New Research

📅 22-23 Sept (Tue-Wed)
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
🎟️ In-person tickets at £10
🌏 Free online attendance

For full programme, tickets and online attendance registration, visit: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/aurel-stein-archives-and-collections-conference-ongoing-and-new-research-2/

The conference is generously supported by the Stein-Arnold Exploration Fund, The British Academy

***

Lecture - Professor Susan Whitfield: Aurel Stein, female friends and changing worlds

📅 22 Sept (Tue) - 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person and online

For details, visit: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/lectures-event/professor-susan-whitfield-aurel-stein-female-friends-and-changing-worlds/

On Tuesday 28 July we'll welcome John Guy, Curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and former Senior Curator...
16/07/2026

On Tuesday 28 July we'll welcome John Guy, Curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and former Senior Curator at the V&A, for a talk on the Piprahwa Buddhist relics recovered in India in the late 19th century.

Join us as we explore this remarkable cache of sacred objects within the broader context of Buddhist relic worship in early north India!

📅 28 July (Tuesday) - 6.30pm BST
📌 14 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD
✨ Free and open to all
🌏 In-person and online

Details: https://royalasiaticsociety.org/event/john-guy-the-buddha-and-the-jewel-filled-casket-piprahwa-and-relic-practices-in-early-north-india

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14 Stephenson Way
London
NW12HD

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Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

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