Before being widely known as Afghanistan, the region encompassing much of the modern-day country was historically referred to by various names, most notably Khorasan and Ariana.
Ancient Names for the Region
The historical territory that now constitutes Afghanistan has been known by different names throughout antiquity and the medieval period. According to historical sources, including ancient Greek and Roman texts, two prominent names stand out:
Khorasan
Khorasan is an ancient and historically significant term. It traditionally referred to a vast region spanning parts of what is now:
- Modern-day Afghanistan
- Iran
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
This name was widely used to describe the eastern provinces of various empires that controlled the area over centuries. The term "Khorasan" itself means "land of the sun rising."
Ariana
Another name associated with the region, particularly in ancient Greek and Roman writings, is Ariana. This name was used to describe the territory inhabited by the ancient Iranian peoples in Central Asia, roughly corresponding to modern-day Afghanistan and parts of Iran and Turkmenistan. It is believed to be related to the Old Iranian term Aryanam Vaejah, meaning "Expanse of the Aryans."
Evolution of the Name "Afghanistan"
The name "Afghanistan" itself became more commonly used over time, particularly from the 18th century onwards, referring primarily to the land of the Pashtun people (also known as Afghans). The modern state of Afghanistan was established in the 18th century under the Durrani Empire. While "Khorasan" and "Ariana" described wider historical or geographical regions, "Afghanistan" specifically denotes the country as we know it today.
In summary, while the modern state is called Afghanistan, its territory was historically part of regions known as Khorasan and Ariana.
| Historical Name | Period Associated With | Geographic Scope | Source of Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khorasan | Ancient to Medieval | Parts of modern Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | Old Persian/Iranian origin ("Land of the sun rising") |
| Ariana | Ancient (Greek/Roman) | Region inhabited by ancient Iranian peoples (roughly modern Afghanistan area) | Ancient Greek/Latin, related to Old Iranian terms |
Understanding these older names provides insight into the rich and complex history of the land that is now Afghanistan, a crossroads of civilizations for millennia.
