Bobojon Gafurov

Bobodzhan Gafurov was a Soviet statesman, political figure, historian, and the first secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan's Central Committee (1946–1956). He was also the head of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the USSR Academy of Sciences, a doctor of historical sciences, and an academician of the academy (1968). Director of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR's Institute of Oriental Studies since 1956. He made a name for himself as an administrator who handled issues with caution and balance, "an active and capable organizer" (IM Dyakonov), and "Easterner" (FA Toder).

Gafurov's tenure as director is regarded by V.M. Alpatov has the best time in the institute's history. Under Gafurov, a large number of young employees including former repressed, demobilized military personnel appeared at the institute, a unique linguistic structure, the Department of Languages, was established for the first time, Soviet orientalists began traveling to the countries they were studying, and the Publishing House of Oriental Literature was established. He received six Lenin Orders, the Red Banner of Labor Order, and decorations. In Tajikistan's Leninabad region, a city originally known as Sovetobad was given his name in 1978. He is one of Tajikistan's six national heroes (posthumously). The gallery of directors of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences also houses Gafurov's image, which is woven into a carpet.