International Relations

India, Kyrgyzstan Open 'Manas and Mahabharata' Civilizational Studies Centre in Bishkek

By TestNeeti Editorial TeamPublished Thursday, 9 July 2026 2 min readSource: The Times of IndiaArticle 9 of 20

India and Kyrgyzstan inaugurated the International Centre for Civilizational Studies 'Manas and Mahabharata' in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, marking a new academic and cultural bridge between India and Central Asia. The centre was established by Kyrgyzstan's Manas National Academy in collaboration with the Delhi-based Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR). An Indian delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from 4 to 7 July 2026 for the inauguration, during which the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic 'Manas' was also presented. The centre will promote comparative studies of the two civilisations' great epics — the Kyrgyz Manas and the Indian Mahabharata — deepening cultural, academic and civilisational ties between the two countries.

Key Facts & Details

9 points

1
India and Kyrgyzstan inaugurated the International Centre for Civilizational Studies 'Manas and Mahabharata' in Bishkek.
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It was established by Kyrgyzstan's Manas National Academy with the Delhi-based Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR).
3
An Indian delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from 4 to 7 July 2026 for the inauguration.
4
The first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic 'Manas' was presented at the event.
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The centre will promote comparative studies of the Manas and the Mahabharata epics.
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It strengthens India-Kyrgyzstan cultural, academic and civilisational ties in Central Asia.

Deep Dive

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'Manas' is a monumental Kyrgyz oral epic, one of the longest in the world, central to Kyrgyz national identity.
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The 'Mahabharata' is one of the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India, alongside the Ramayana.
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The initiative reflects India's growing civilisational and cultural diplomacy outreach in Central Asia.

Exam Focus

In which country and city was the 'Manas and Mahabharata' Centre for Civilizational Studies inaugurated, and which Indian body set it up?

Exam Relevance & Angle

Bilateral cultural institutions and 'places in news' are recurring International Relations and Art & Culture GA. The pairing of the Manas (Kyrgyz epic) and the Mahabharata, the location (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), and the Indian body (CSIR) form a compact, testable fact cluster with a strong Central Asia angle.

Target Exams

SBI POIBPS POSSC CGLSSC CHSLRRB NTPCUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with Bishkek as its capital; India and the Central Asian republics have deepened engagement through mechanisms such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue and the SCO. The Manas is a vast Kyrgyz oral epic recounting the exploits of the hero Manas and is a cornerstone of Kyrgyz cultural identity, recognised by UNESCO. The Mahabharata, attributed to sage Vyasa, is one of the two great epics of ancient India. Establishing a joint centre for the comparative study of these epics is an example of civilisational and cultural diplomacy, through which India builds soft-power links with partner nations by highlighting shared heritage and scholarship.