Thursday, June 20, 2024

Iran & Turan - Two Different Iranic Lands

 Iran and Turan are two terms that have historically been used to refer to different groups of Iranian people. Iran refers to the settled Iranian tribes, while Turan refers to the nomadic Iranian tribes.

Iran, also known as Persia, is the term used to describe the region inhabited by settled Iranian tribes. These tribes were agriculturalists and lived in cities and villages. The term "Iran" originated from the Avestan word "Airyanem Vaejah," which means "Land of the Aryans." Over time, Iran became the name for the entire region and the people who lived there.

On the other hand, Turan refers to the nomadic Iranian tribes that inhabited the vast steppes of Central Asia. These tribes were known for their pastoral lifestyle, herding livestock and constantly moving in search of grazing lands. The term "Turan" is derived from the Persian word "Tūr," which means "to move swiftly."

It is important to note that Turan is not synonymous with the term "Turk." While the Turks are also a nomadic people from Central Asia, they are distinct from the Turanians. Turanians were Iranian tribes, whereas the Turks were a separate Turkic-speaking group that migrated to the region later in history.

The distinction between Iran and Turan reflects the diversity and complexity of Iranian history and culture. It highlights the different lifestyles and ways of life of the settled and nomadic tribes that inhabited the Iranian plateau and Central Asia.

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