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ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Azrah: The Endonym of the Hazara People and Its Avestan Origin

Authors: Cohistani, BILAL;

Azrah: The Endonym of the Hazara People and Its Avestan Origin

Abstract

This research investigates the self‑designation Azrah (Āzrah) used by the Hazara people of central Afghanistan. Linguistic analysis traces the name to the Avestan Arəzahī, the eastern clime in the seven‑fold division of the world (Karshvar), which appears in the Avesta (Yt. 10.15, Bundahišn 8.2) as the land where the sun first rises. The word developed through Middle Persian Arzah into the modern Hazaragi pronunciation Āzrah. Genetic data show that the Hazara carry the Neolithic Iranian farmer lineage J2a1‑Page55 at a frequency of 13%, second only to Iran (23%). Combined with archaeological evidence (Helmand Civilization, Bamiyan Buddhas) and historical records (Xuanzang’s Hosala), this study argues that the Hazara are the indigenous population of the Avestan land Arəzahī, identified with the central highlands of Afghanistan (Bamiyan, Daikundi). The article challenges the common narrative that reduces Hazara identity to a Mongol origin and restores their historical place as heirs to the ancient Iranian civilization of the east.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green