Tajiks

The Tajiks are one of the principal ethnic groups of Central Asia, and are primarily found in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and the Xinjiang province of China.

Origin of the term

The origin of the term "Tajik" is somewhat unclear. Today, most historians believe that the word "Tajik" is an old Turkish expression referring to all Persian-speaking peoples of the region who are of Iranian origin. The word did not exist before the Turkic conquest of Central Asia. Even Persians in Iran who live in the Turkish-speaking parts of the country call themselvs "Tajik". Therefore, Tajik can be considered a synonym for Persian . It may have originated from Ta-Hia, the chinese name for ancient Bactria.

Related Topics:
Turkish - Turkic - Central Asia - Persian - Ta-Hia - Chinese - Bactria

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In the Turco-Persian culture of the conquerors Timur and Babur, the word "Tajik" referred to the Persian-speaking clerks who were schooled in Arabic.

Related Topics:
Turco-Persian - Timur - Babur - Arabic

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