Ikhshid

Summary

Ikhshid was the princely title of the Iranian rulers of Soghdia and the Ferghana Valley in Transoxiana during the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods. The title is of Iranian origin; scholars have derived it variously from the Old Iranian root khshaeta, lit. 'shining, brilliant', or from khshāyathiya, 'ruler, king'. These Old Iranian terms are etymologically related to the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, the Hindu caste of warriors and princes.