Book excerpt: Central Asia assimilated several alien traditions and trends and also forged conflicts and contradictions among the peoples of the region. Therefore, it cannot be understood without comprehension of its glorious past and budding present. This compendium of thirty five papers, presented at an international conference, organized by the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, attempts to examine the various dynamics of Central Asia. It addresses a wide range of issues concerning Central Asia’s geo-politics and geo-strategy, geo-economics, historico-cultural relations, and its relations with other countries of the world.