Central Asia without Islam

There's a few options ranging from a wide range of local religions including local syncretic versions of Tengrism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc, to a regional perhaps proselytizing religion reminiscent of Islam/Christianity (i.e. an initial reformist creed of another).
 

Maoistic

Banned
For sure it would test the 19th century theory (which I would argue is alive and well in many circles today) of European colonial thinkers like Max Müller, T. W. Rhys Davis, Paul Carus, Ernest Renan, Henry Steel Olcott and Helena Blavatsky, among others, that Buddhism, when practised by "Aryan" races and not corrupted by the "Negroid" and "Mongoloid" races of South Asia and China, is the most enlightening religion, system of thought, etc., conceivable, with the capacity of creating an even superior civilisation than the post-Enlightenment secular West.
 
“Zoroastrianism,” The Zoroastrianism of Sogdia and surrounding areas was likely more akin to Iranian polytheism than to the state mandated Zoroastrianism of the Sassanid period. Also, Sogdia having the greatest wealth may not be true. Tocharia, Ferghana, Bactria, Kwarezm all posses great wealth and potential; Bactria especially.

What's your source that religion in Sogdia was Iranian polytheism? They definitely weren't of the Sassanid orthodox variety, but they definitely were Zoroastrian. That's like saying Lutherns aren't Christian because there beliefs and practices differ in some aspects from Catholics. Also, Bactria pretty much is the same area as Sogdia, along with Ferghana. Khwarezm features heavily in Zoroastrian texts.
 
What's your source that religion in Sogdia was Iranian polytheism? They definitely weren't of the Sassanid orthodox variety, but they definitely were Zoroastrian. That's like saying Lutherns aren't Christian because there beliefs and practices differ in some aspects from Catholics. Also, Bactria pretty much is the same area as Sogdia, along with Ferghana. Khwarezm features heavily in Zoroastrian texts.

From the top of my head, the following:

As late as the Hepthalite period, we see coins from the region minted with Iranian gods and goddesses; as opposed to the Sassanid style that did not render these gods. Further, we learn from the Parthian period the level of syncretism that existed between the Iranian peoples and temple cults (Iranic polytheism or mythos). There is a reason that the famed cleric, Kartir took such keen interest in promoting his strict state mandated Zoroastrianism at the expense of what had to of been a deeply diverse religious landscape with widespread reverence of gods of Iranic origin and temple/altar cults; whom according to Islamic sources, persisted in rural regions, hence Islamic laws requiring destruction of both Zoroastrian temples and “superstitious” temples.

The second is the life of al-Afshin who in his home, held polytheistic idols of what I assume to be Iranic deity. He was the ruler of Sogdia and the Islamic emir of Sogdia-Ferghana and was charged with practicing shirk not in that he was accused of Zoroastrianism, but of worshipping statues or in the words of the Muslim, deity other than Allah.
 
Like others said,probably a mix of religions. Nestorian Christianity,Tengriism,a form of Buddhism along either the Tibetan or Mongolian line,Hinduism,Zoroastrianism and various shamanistic religions. The people probably would either fall under the sway of Turks or Mongolian people.That and a lot more Indian and/or Iranian influence. Probably a few hybrid cultures. And the Nuristani and Kalash people have a different history without the pressure to convert,so their religions might flourish more.
 
Though this ATL Central Asia would likely be fluid, perhaps the following would likely happen.

- Northern part (defined as Kazakhstan to Mongolia) would remain Turkic and Mongolian.
- Southern part would likely become Indo-Persian, except for a portion being part of the Indosphere or Persia.
- Western part (Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan) would likely remain Persian, except for possibly the most northern parts.
- Eastern part would likely come under Chinese or Tibetan influence, assuming both do not press much further into Central Asia.

You already had some Indo-Persia mix along the region of Kushanshahr, there Sassanian coins minted there with the Shahanshah on one face and Mazda dressed like Shiva on the other, implying some Hindu-Mazdean syncretism among the population.

Interesting

Like others said,probably a mix of religions. Nestorian Christianity, Tengriism, a form of Buddhism along either the Tibetan or Mongolian line, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and various shamanistic religions. The people probably would either fall under the sway of Turks or Mongolian people.That and a lot more Indian and/or Iranian influence. Probably a few hybrid cultures. And the Nuristani and Kalash people have a different history without the pressure to convert,so their religions might flourish more.

It would be interesting seeing what happens to the Kalash and Nuristani peoples, apparently the former's belief system was quite common in the area if the Kho people are any indication.
 
From the top of my head, the following:

As late as the Hepthalite period, we see coins from the region minted with Iranian gods and goddesses; as opposed to the Sassanid style that did not render these gods. Further, we learn from the Parthian period the level of syncretism that existed between the Iranian peoples and temple cults (Iranic polytheism or mythos). There is a reason that the famed cleric, Kartir took such keen interest in promoting his strict state mandated Zoroastrianism at the expense of what had to of been a deeply diverse religious landscape with widespread reverence of gods of Iranic origin and temple/altar cults; whom according to Islamic sources, persisted in rural regions, hence Islamic laws requiring destruction of both Zoroastrian temples and “superstitious” temples.

The second is the life of al-Afshin who in his home, held polytheistic idols of what I assume to be Iranic deity. He was the ruler of Sogdia and the Islamic emir of Sogdia-Ferghana and was charged with practicing shirk not in that he was accused of Zoroastrianism, but of worshipping statues or in the words of the Muslim, deity other than Allah.

There you go again with your fundamentalist interpretations.
 
What's your source that religion in Sogdia was Iranian polytheism? They definitely weren't of the Sassanid orthodox variety, but they definitely were Zoroastrian. That's like saying Lutherns aren't Christian because there beliefs and practices differ in some aspects from Catholics. Also, Bactria pretty much is the same area as Sogdia, along with Ferghana. Khwarezm features heavily in Zoroastrian texts.

If we want an umbrella term, I'd suggest something along the lines of Mazdayasna or Mazdaism. It effectively distinguishes both Sassanian Zoroastrianism and Iranian polytheism from Zurvanism and Manichaeism and any other heresies which emerged out of the Sassanian state orthodoxy. The Sogdians definitely worshiped Ahura Mazda, although it seems to me that they did so alongside a pantheon of Indo-Iranian deities and with some Manichaean and Buddhist substrate thrown into the mix. So it might be more like calling the Cathars Christians than Lutherans.

To some degree, I think it's somewhat irrelevant how we want to categorize them. It was a fascinating syncretism, all things considered, and one that could only be born out of a place like Sogdia.

Bactria/Tokharestan and Sogdia are very different areas, with very different cultures, belief systems, and histories, to say nothing of Ferghana. That's like saying "France and Belgium are basically the same place."
 
For sure it would test the 19th century theory (which I would argue is alive and well in many circles today) of European colonial thinkers like Max Müller, T. W. Rhys Davis, Paul Carus, Ernest Renan, Henry Steel Olcott and Helena Blavatsky, among others, that Buddhism, when practised by "Aryan" races and not corrupted by the "Negroid" and "Mongoloid" races of South Asia and China, is the most enlightening religion, system of thought, etc., conceivable, with the capacity of creating an even superior civilisation than the post-Enlightenment secular West.

That's one of the weirder forms of Orientalism. Interesting how so few of them converted to the best and most enlightening faith. :p
 

Maoistic

Banned
That's one of the weirder forms of Orientalism. Interesting how so few of them converted to the best and most enlightening faith. :p
I agree. For being such a supposedly good faith, few Europeans who extolled it actually converted to it. But to be fair, there were large clubs discussing Buddhism and a few Europeans who not only converted but were actually ordained as monks, all tonsured and saffron robed. In fact, nowadays there is a considerable number of European/Western/White (however you want to say it) Buddhist monks.
 
One thing that comes to mind in this scenario is to what extent would the present day have familiar or loosely familiar / analogue ethnic groups compared to OTL beyond the more prominent peoples, and to what extent would little known OTL ethnic groups be significantly larger to outnumber more numerous and better known ethnic groups in ATL?

A third Abrahamic faith originating from the Gokturk Khaganates and succeeding Turkic lands could be interesting as well. It could potentially enshrine Turkic runes as a liturgical script.

That is one idea as there are some aspects within Abrahamic belief systems that should resonate with Turkic peoples, however would not be surprised to significant Buddhist influences, etc.
 
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Expect Manichaeism to linger in places like the Tarim Basin, along with Nestorian Christianity if that’s not butterflied away.

Then factor in Catholic / Orthodox Christianity. Before the schism, the combined religion was established in Kazakhstan during the fourth century and featured a monastery and a diocese. Following the schism, a number of Catholic Franciscan missionaries arrived in the 10-11 centuries and reported some successful conversions of local Khans.
 
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Nestorian Christianity was present in Central Asia before being replaced by Islam. Without Islam, I expect Christianity to become majority religion in the region over time.

It was there otl as one of many faiths, but it in no way was pushing to a place of dominance. It was separated culturally from other Christian powers like Byzantium and Armenia and even then the Nestorians were from their PoV a bunch of heretics. On the other hand there is a sea of Buddhists, Manicheans, Zoroastrians, Hindus, and in time OTL Tengrism all had more cultural influence.

The idea that Christianity would just "naturally" rise to dominance.....just because......well it won in the west.....and I'm a Christian so I just "know" it's naturally superior (which I see way too much on these forums and just never holds up IMHO)........ is one of those things that just ignores reality.

Most likely the Christians would be overwhelmed by the Buddhists or the disruption of Mongols/whatever nomads rise in their place will disrupt the Christian communities and they would, at least on the northern trade routes wither like they did otl while remaining a minority in places like India.
 
Could see Buddhism dominate most of Central Asia particularly much of the north, with Hinduism dominating the eastern parts of Afghanistan (along with being a significant presence in Indo-Persian areas) and Zoroastrianism dominating both the western half of Afghanistan as well as either most or parts of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Manicheanism could have remained prominent along with Buddhism, Bon, Taoism and Confucianism in the eastern areas likely to come under Chinese or Tibetan influence, while Nestorian and other Christian communities would have probably been significant minorities at most.

However the above does not account for any new syncretic belief systems appearing in Central Asia.
 
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