Afghan etymology

Etymology:

The name "Afghan" is derived from the Persian term "Afghān", which is itself a variant of the Pashto word "Avghān".

Meaning:

The term "Afghan" originally meant "horseman" or "warrior" in Pashto. It was used to describe a group of nomadic tribes who lived in the mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan.

Origin:

The use of the term "Afghan" to refer to the people of Afghanistan began around the 16th century. Prior to that, the region was known as Khorasan and the people who lived there were referred to as "Khorasanis".

Historical Context:

• In the 18th century, the Durrani dynasty emerged under Ahmad Shah Durrani, who established the first unified Afghan kingdom.
• During the 19th century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in the Great Game between the British and Russian empires.
• The name "Afghanistan" was officially adopted in 1919, when the country gained independence from British rule.

Usage:

Today, the term "Afghan" is used to refer to:

• Citizens of Afghanistan
• People of Afghan descent, even if they reside outside Afghanistan
• The official language of Afghanistan, also known as Pashto
• The culture, history, and heritage of the Afghan people

Afghan relate terms

• Afghanistan

  Etymology The name Afghanistan is derived from the Persian words Afghān An ethnic

• Afghan

  Etymology The name Afghan is derived from the Persian term Afghān which is itself

• hare

  Etymology The word hare originates from the Old English word hara which is believed

• blanket

  Etymology The word blanket derives from the Middle English term blankette which ult

• potash

  Etymology Pot ash Potash is derived from the Middle English term pot askes which re

• Asian

  Etymology The word Asian originates from the ancient Greek word Ἀσία Asía wh

• coat

  Etymology The word coat comes from the Old French word cote which in turn comes from

• cover

  Etymology Origin of the Word Middle English coveren cover from the Old French covr

• shawl

  Etymology The word shawl derives from the Persian shāl originally referring to a t

• devotion

  Etymology The word devotion comes from the Latin word devotio which means dedicatio