DUSHANBE, July 19, 2012, Asia-Plus – Prominent Tajik historian, Professor Mansour Babakhanov, died in Dushanbe today, aged 80 after a long illness.

Born on August 28, 1931, Professor Babakhanov received his early education in the Konibodom district before graduating in 1953 from Tajik National University in Dushanbe.

From 1965 to 1982, Professor Babakhanov served as Dean of the Faculty of History at Tajik National University.  From 1881 to 1998, he headed the Department of the History of the USSR (Domestic History), Faculty of History at Tajik National University.

From 1998 to 1999, Dr. Babakhanov was Professor at the Department of History, Russian-Tajik Slavic University (RTSU) in Dushanbe.  From 1999 to 2001, he was Dean of the Faculty of History and Law and the Faculty of International Relations at RTSU.  Since 2001, Dr. Babakhanov had been Professor at the Department of Domestic History, RTSU.

Since 2006, Professor Mansour Babakhanov had headed “The Tajiks and Persian-speaking Peoples of the World” Scientific Research Center at Tajik National University.

Professor Mansour Babakhanov is author of more than 400 research works and articles, including 80 monographs, on history of Tajikistan.

Professor Mansour Babakhanov was awarded the Order of Dousti (Friendship) and the Medal “Veteran of Labor” for his important contribution to development of science and higher education in Tajikistan.