The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s1.t15.4

c5.s1.t15.4

But whether this explanation of Ferishta’s statement be correct or not, I feel almost certain that Hwen Thsang’s O-po-kien must be intended for Afghán. Its exact equivalent would be Avaghan, which is the nearest transcript of Afghan that the Chinese syllables are capable of making. If this rendering is correct, it is the earliest mention of the Afghans that I am aware of under that name.