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Which countries and regions are included in the study of Central Asian arts?

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Central Asian arts Mongol shaman wearing a ritual gown and holding a drum with the image of a spirit helper, c. 1909.

The study of Central Asian arts encompasses a vast geographic area that extends well beyond the modern political definition of Central Asia. It includes the following countries and regions:

Turkic republics: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan
Other nations and regions: Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan
Parts of larger nations: Specific areas within Russia and China

In the context of this field, the term "Central Asian arts" specifically refers to artistic traditions that were not influenced by the religion of Islam. Because of the region's immense size, varied topography, and diverse ethnic backgrounds, these arts developed into highly distinct styles and traditions across different areas.1