Ariana

Ariana (Arianoi) was a general geographical term used by some Greek and Roman authors of the ancient period for a district of wide extent between Central Asia and the Indus River, comprehending the eastern provinces of the Achaemenid Empire that covered entire modern-day Afghanistan, east and southeast of Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the then Persian ruled northwestern Pakistan.

Etymology of Ariana

The Greek term Arianē (Latin: Ariana) is based upon Old Iranian Āryana- (Avestan: Airiiana-, esp. in Airiianəm vaēǰō, the name of the Aryans’ mother country, whose localization is disputed). The modern name Iran represents the ancient name Ariana, - a word itself of Avestan origin.; a view which is borne out by the traditions of the country preserved in th]e Muslim writers of the ninth and tenth centuries.

The names Ariana and Aria, and many other ancient titles of which Aria is a component element, are connected with the Sanskrit term Arya-, the Avestan term Airya-, and the Old Persian term Ariya- , a self designation of the peoples of Ancient India and Ancient Iran, meaning "noble", "excellent" and "honourable".

At various times, the region was governed by the Persians (Achaemenids, 550-330 BC; Sasanians, 275-650 AD; Kushano-Sasanians, 345-450 AD), Macedonians (Seleucids, 330-250 BC; Greco-Bactrians, 250-110 BC; Indo-Greeks, 155-90 BC), Indo-Iranians (Parthians, 160 BC-225 AD; Indo-Scythians, 90 BC-20 AD; Indo-Parthians, 20-225 AD; Kushans, 110 BC-225 AD), white Huns (Kidarites, 360-465 AD; Hephthalites, 450-565 AD), Indians (Mauryans, 275-185 BC; Hindu-Shahis; 870-1000 AD Pala Empire; 750–1174 AD)[7]