Origins of the Name «Pamir»

The Zoroastrian scriptures, the Avesta, also support the idea that the Pamirs, specifically the upper reaches of the Amu Darya River, were considered the homeland of the ancient Aryan tribes, known as «Airyanem Vaejah,» or «Aryan Expanse,» created by the supreme god Ahura Mazda. However, other regions like Khwarezm and the Caucasus are also contenders for this title.

Some scholars propose that «Pamir» is derived from the Sanskrit term «upa Meru,» meaning «land above Meru,» referring to the mythical mountain Meru mentioned in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Meru was considered the center of the universe by ancient Indians, and the Pamirs, with their lofty heights, were imagined to be a land above this sacred mountain.

The renowned German geographer Karl Ritter once suggested that some interpretations of the Bible viewed the Pamirs as the cradle of not only the Aryan branch of humanity but of all humankind.

Others have theorized that «Pamir» could be a corruption of «Fan-mir» or «Famir,» meaning «land of lakes» or «lake of Fan.» The word «mir» in this context might relate to the Sanskrit term for «sea,» as seen in place names like «Kashmir» and «Ajmir.» This idea holds merit, as the Pamirs’ lakes, such as Lake Zorkul, were likely much larger in ancient times.

In medieval times, the name «Pamir» likely referred to the Alay Valley. This is supported by the accounts of the geographer Ibn Ruste, who described the Vakhshab River (now the Surkhob River) as flowing through the lands of the Turkic Harluqs, across the regions of Pamir, Rasht, Kumud (historical Darband, now Nurabad), and then between two mountains on the border of Washgird (modern Faizabad) and Tamliyat (a city in northern Khatlon Province).

Arab chronicles of the era referred to the Pamirs as «Bamir» or «Famir,» due to the absence of the letter «p» in the Arabic language. The famous Baghdad historian and geographer Al-Yaqubi wrote of a city named «Bamir» existing in the 9th century. Persian dictionaries of the time also mention a settlement called Famir, located near a desert where the musk deer, a valuable source of musk, was found. Modern historians believe this city was likely in the Alay Valley, near the entrance to the highlands.

Another interpretation suggests that «Pamir» derives from «Poy-i-Marg,» meaning «foot of death,» named so because many trade caravans perished while attempting to cross the narrow and steep mountain passes.

The Venetian merchant Marco Polo mentioned «Pamir» in his 13th-century travel accounts, referring to it as «Pamer.» Russian maps from the 19th century also labeled the region as «Pamir-Kalanu» and «Pamir-Khuda.» Up until the late 19th century, the Russian Empire used «Pamir» as a general term for all the high mountain valleys of Central Asia.