The Study of the Early Medieval History of Khorezm in English-Language Literature: Approaches and Perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17605/cajssh.v7i2.1322Keywords:
Khorezm, Afrighid Dynasty, English Historiography, E. Sachau, C.E. Bosworth, Karakalpak-Australian Expedition (KAE), Iranica AntiquaAbstract
The Khorezm oasis, strategically located along the Great Silk Road, was a major hub of ancient and early medieval Central Asian civilization. The Afrighid dynasty, which ruled the region from the late 3rd century until the late 10th century (995 AD), represents a crucial transitional period where indigenous Zoroastrian traditions gradually intersected with early Islamic culture. This article aims to critically analyze the dynamics, conceptual shifts, and key achievements of studying the early medieval history of Khorezm specifically the Afrighid period within English-language (Western) historiography. The research employs a chronological-problematic framework, historical-comparative approaches, and detailed historiographical analysis. It systematically evaluates the works of British, American, and Australian researchers spanning from the late 19th to the early 21st century. The scientific conclusions of these Western scholars, widely published in authoritative academic platforms such as the Encyclopaedia of Islam, Encyclopaedia Iranica, and Iranica Antiqua, are comparatively studied alongside the established paradigms of Soviet archaeology (e.g., S.P. Tolstov's Khorezm Expedition) and modern Uzbek national historiography.
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