Last week I got the chance to buy a rare book titled “Aryana or Ancient Afghanistan" by Mohammad Ali, published in 1957 - a significant piece of Afghanistan’s historical literature. This book explores the ancient history and culture of Afghanistan, often referencing Aryana, an ancient term that refers to a broader region that included parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and other surrounding areas. This compact history book, with 14 chapters, sets off from about 3000 BC, marking the arrival of the first Aryans—or Indo-Europeans—at Bakhdi, now known as Balkh. It spans a vast timeline, ending with the rise of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni around 997 AD. The introductory chapter offers a brief survey of ancient Afghanistan's various names, ultimately choosing "Aryana," the term favored by most classical writers. The book points out that "Afghanistan"—meaning "Land of the Afghans"—only became common in the 18th century (1747-72) during the rule of Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Durrani E...