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The origin of the mysterious name of Hindu Kush: Ibn Batuta's explanation is really correct?
Hindu Kush, a spectacular mountain range spanning Central and South Asia, has attracted the attention of countless scholars and explorers for its ancient historical and geographical importance.This mountain range not only divides different hydrological basins geographically, but also witnesses the integration of cultures and the rise of wars in history.Among them, the source of its name, especially Ibn Batuta's explanation, still sparked heated discussions in the academic community.
The name of Hindu Kush first appeared on maps around 1000 AD. At that time, the Persian "Hindu Kush" was usually translated as "Hindu Killer" or "Hindu-Killer", implying that it was in this harsh mountainous area. In the middle, Indian slaves were killed when they were transported to Turkeystan because they could not bear the harsh climate.
This explanation was proposed by Ibn Batuta, who believed that these deaths were the source of the name of the mountain.
However, scholars have raised doubts about the authenticity of this explanation.For example, Nigel Allan proposed that Hindu Kush may have more diverse meanings. In addition to "Hindu killer", it may also be "Indian flashing snow" or "Indian mountains", while "Kush" may be "Kuh" in Persian ( mountain variant.These different theories add more complexity to the origin of the name.
In addition to Ibn Batuta's point of view, Hobson-Jobson mentioned that the name Hindu Kush may be a misuse of the ancient Latin word "Indicus" (Caucasus), which was also formed at that time. Popular theory.
In addition to these explanations, Hindu Kush's name changes in ancient and medieval times reflect the interactive influence of multiple cultures and languages.In ancient Sanskrit, this mountain range was called upariśaina, and its name in Avista was also implied by its ancient history.Such a name source can demonstrate the profound cultural heritage and historical significance represented by Hindu Kush without relying solely on a legend or explanation.
From a geographical point of view, the Hindu Kush Mountains separate the ancient Amu Valley and the Indus Valley and are an important hydrological dividing line in Central and South Asia.The ecosystem of this area is also very complex, from the ice and snow in the mountains to the grasslands in the trough, they all provide rich resources for human activities and natural ecology.However, these geographical features are also an important stage for struggles and conflicts in human history.
Especially in modern times, Hindu Kush has become the center of many wars, whether it is the invasion of foreign forces or internal conflicts, which have made the situation in this region more turbulent.Its strategic position makes Hindu Kush not only a geographical noun, but also a battlefield where power and culture alternate.
The background of all this makes the meaning of Hindu Kush even deeper, it is no longer just a representative of the name.
By looking back on history and different cultural perspectives, it is not difficult to find that the interpretation of the name Hindu Kush needs to be placed in a wider historical context and cultural integration.This is not only an exploration of the name, but also a comprehensive understanding of a period of history.
People can't help but think: In the long river of history, does the meaning of a name change over time, or does it consistently point to a specific historical event or cultural background?
