was formerly known as
Kafiristan(کافرستان, "land of the infidels") until the inhabitants were converted from an
animistreligion;
[2] a form of
ancient Hinduisminfused with local variations,
[3] to
Islam in 1895, and thence the region has become known as Nuristan ("land of illumination", or "land of light").
[4] The region was located in an area surrounded by Buddhist civilizations which were later taken over by Muslims.
[5] The origin of the local
Nuristani people has been disputed, ranging from being the indigenous inhabitants forced to flee to this region after refusing to surrender to Muslim invaders, to being linked to various ancient groups of people and the
Turk Shahi kings.
[6][7]