Albums: Iran - Sistan

Iran - Sistan

Modern Sistan (Persian: سیستان) is a border region in southeastern Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) and southwestern Afghanistan (see Nimruz Province). In ancient times the area was known as Arachosia; it became known as 'Sakastan' in the 1st century BC, after it was conquered by the Saka (Scythians of Central Asia) tribes. Later Sakastan was changed to "Seistan" and in modern times, Sistan.

In the Shahnameh, Sistan is also referred to as Zabulistan, after Zabol, a major city in Persian Sistan. In Ferdowsi's epic, Zabulistan is in turn described to be the homeland of the mythological hero-king Rostam.