ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

The British Association for South Asian Studies (BASAS) supports advanced research in the humanities and social sciences of South Asia. One of the overseas organisations grant-aided by the British Academy, it is a registered charity (number 264591).

BASAS is one of the world's leading learned societies for the study of South Asia. It is the largest UK academic association for the study of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and the South Asian diaspora. The Association was first established in 1972 as the Society for Afghan Studies. The Society expanded it remit from 1979, becoming the Society for South Asian Studies. In 2007 the Society merged with the British Association for South Studies. The new organisation combines the grant-giving and overseas research project roles of the Society for South Asian Studies with the representative and advocacy roles of the British Association for South Asian Studies.

The Association sponsors research projects in South Asia, as well as programmes of exchange and training. It produces South Asian Studies, an annual journal, in which it publishes some of the research it has funded. The Association also organises an annual conference, workshops and lectures, held at different locations each year in the UK, and publishes a series of monographs and occasional papers.

The Association is managed by an elected council of BASAS members. These include the following Association officers: Professor Kunal Sen (University of Manchester; BASAS Chairman), Dr Lawrence Saez (School of Oriental and African Studies; BASAS Secretary), and Dr Emma Tomalin (University of Leeds, BASAS Treasurer).

The Association has links with the Royal Asiatic Society, London, which houses its library, archive and office.