Khwarazmshah was an ancient title used regularly by the rulers of the Central Asian region of Khwarazm starting from the Late Antiquity until the advent of the Mongols in the early 13th-century, after which it was used infrequently. There were a total of four families who ruled as Khwarazmshahs—the Afrighids (305–995), Ma'munids (995–1017), the line of Altuntash (1017–1041), and the most prominent ones, the Anushteginids (1097–1231). Like other contemporary Central Asian titles, such as Afshin and Ikhshid, the title of Khwarazmshah is of Iranian origin.
Coin of the Afrighid shah Sawashfan (ruled in the 8th-century)
The Afrighids were a native Khwarezmian Iranian dynasty who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Khwarazm. Over time, they were under the suzerainty of the Sasanian Empire, the Hephthalite Empire, the Göktürk Khaganate, the Umayyad Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate and the Samanid Empire.
The fortress of Ayaz Kala 2 was built during the Afrighid period, in the 6th to 8th century CE
Silver bowl from Khwarezm depicting a four-armed goddess seated on a lion, possibly Nana. Dated 658, British Museum.
Coin of Coin of Bravik, also named Fravik, 7th century, Khwarazm
Coin of Sawashfan.
