The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.68

v1.c12.68

³ *LEC*, pp. 344 and 349. By Zābul or Zābulistān the Arabs meant "the whole of the great mountainous district of the upper waters of the Helmund and the Kandahār rivers." It was "a term of vague application but one which more particularly denoted the country round Ghaznah. On the other hand Kābulistān, was the Kābul country, more to the north on the frontier of Bāmiyān. Already in the 3rd century (9th century A.D.) Ya‘qūbī describes Kābul as much frequented by merchants. He says that the chief city was known as Jurwas, while Iṣṭakhrī in the next century gives the name as Ṭābān. Kābul, however, appears also to have been the name in common use, more especially for the district."