Pazand

Pazand may refer to more than one subject in Persian-language sources, serving as both a historical term in religious literature and a place name in Iran. The dual use reflects how names travel across culture, language, and geography.

In the context of Zoroastrian literature, Pazand designates a branch of scripture interpretation and translation. Pazand texts, composed in Middle Persian and later Persian, render Avestan liturgical and doctrinal material into a form accessible to Persian-speaking clergy. They served as a bridge between the ancient Avesta and later Zoroastrian practice, complementing the Pahlavi tradition. The Pazand corpus includes commentaries, liturgical translations, and religious paraphrases, and was used in religious schools and communities across Iran and the diaspora.

Pazand is also a place name in Iran, appearing as the name of rural settlements in various provinces. As a toponym, it typically denotes small villages embedded in agricultural districts. Local governance generally places such settlements within larger counties and rural districts; economies are commonly based on farming, livestock, and small-scale crafts. The exact location and population of Pazand can vary, and multiple villages may share the same name, distinguished by administrative qualifiers.

The term Pazand is transliterated in various ways in English-language sources, including Pazand and Pazend, reflecting Persian and regional pronunciations. For precise information about a specific Pazand, it is necessary to specify the regional context or the province.