From Persepolis to the Punjab: Exploring the Past in in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Phrase 'from Persepolis to the Punjab' refers to the vast Iranian empires of the Achaemenids (550-331 BC), Parthians (238 BC-AD 224) and Sasanians (AD 224-651), which extended eastwards through Afghanistan to the northwestern borderlands of the Indian subcontinent. The interest of 19th-century European powers in this region has been called 'the Great Game' and its effects are explored in this book, which is based on contributions to a study day and conference held in the British Museum, supplemented with additional material. This volume brings together research and expertise from several disciplines to explain the personalities, scripts, empires, dynasties and religions of this complex and multi-faceted region and why it was the focus of European interests.Elizabeth Errington is the author of 'From Persepolis to the Punjab: Exploring the Past in in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan', published 2007 under ISBN 9780714111650 and ISBN 0714111651.