Paranja, paranji, or faranji is a traditional Central Asian robe for women and girls that covers the head and body. It is also known as "burqa" in Arabic. It is similar in basic style and function to other regional styles such as the Afghan chadari. The part that covered the face, known as the chachvan or chashmband, was heavy in weight and made from horsehair. It was especially prevalent among urban Uzbeks and Tajiks, but was not commonly worn by people in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan. It was also worn during the Shaybanids' rule (c.1510–1600).
Uzbek paranja
Tajik faranji on display in the Konibodom Museum of History and Geography [tg]
A burqa or a burka is an enveloping outer garment worn by some Muslim women which fully covers the body and the face. Also known as a chadaree or chaadar in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or a paranja in Central Asia, the Arab version of the burqa is called the boshiya and is usually black. The term burqa is sometimes conflated with the niqāb even though, in more precise usage, the niqab is a face veil that leaves the eyes uncovered, while a burqa covers the entire body from the top of the head to the ground, with a mesh screen which only allows the wearer to see in front of her.
A painting of Burqa clad Afghan women in Kabul, 1840
Pre-Islamic relief showing veiled Middle Eastern women, Temple of Baal, Palmyra, Syria, 1st century AD
Coptic Orthodox Christian woman wearing a garment with a Christian head covering (1918)
Chadaree in Afghanistan