Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel-America and Iran, the discussion about the Strait of Hormuz has become very intense. This word is very viral. Being one of the most important sea routes in the world, its discussion has also intensified amid the current tension because the Iranian army is attacking the ships passing through it.
Many ships have become victims of Iran in the last one week. Only oil and gas are going on these ships, the effect of supply stoppage is now visible in the world. No one knows when things will become normal. That is why it is also called life-line.Let us understand with this excuse how the Strait of Hormuz got its name? When and how did this become a life-line?
How did the Strait of Hormuz get its name?
Historians and linguists are not unanimous regarding the name ‘Hormuz’. But there are definitely some important and interesting assumptions regarding this. Hormuz is not just the name of the strait. It was also an old city and maritime empire. In early times, the original settlement area of Hormuz is believed to be near the coast of Iran. Later, as sea trade increased, the rulers shifted their center to an island. This island also came to be called Hormuz Island. This island was at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. For this reason the surrounding sea route also started being associated with the name of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz.
Between the 10th and 17th centuries, the Hormuz Empire gained a deep hold on ocean trade. Ships going between Arabia, Persia, India, East Africa and Southeast Asia used to stop here. A major trade in spices, pearls, horses, precious stones, cloth and metals took place from here. This area became so famous by the name of Hormuz in colloquial and official records that the name of the strait also became permanent from there. In this way, first the name of the city and the island was Hormuz and then the name of the sea route became Strait of Hormuz.
This is also the reason behind the name
A major name for God in the Persian and Avesta tradition is Ahura Mazda. Some scholars believe that over time Ahura Mazda evolved into forms like Ormazd or Ohrmazd. In local pronunciation it became Ormuz, Hormuz and later became Hormuz. This change is like a normal process in linguistics, as long names take short forms. Sounds change, but their connection to the original remains.
Some researchers argue that at some time, names like Ormazd, Hormuz may have become popular as protectors or symbols of this region in the sense of divine protection, power or auspiciousness. Later this name was also adopted for geographical places. Like cities, islands and then straits. However, this notion has not been completely accepted by everyone. Yet many historians consider it a strong linguistic link.
In Arabic and Persian writings it is sometimes written as Hurmuz, sometimes as Hormuz. Photo: heritageinstitute.com
Local pronunciation and influence of foreign writers
As a name, Hormuz is written and spoken in many forms. In Arabic and Persian writings it is sometimes written as Hurmuz, sometimes as Hormuz. European travelers and traders recorded it as Ormuz, Hormuz, Ormus etc. according to their language. These different forms are mentioned in Marco Polo, Portuguese, Dutch and English sources. Over time it became popular to write Strait of Hormuz in English.
The same form became stable in modern international maps and documents. That is, the local dialect, the Perso-Arabic script and European writing all three played a role in stabilizing the name Hormuz as it is today.
Its meaning and strategic importance
Strait means strait, that is, the narrow part of water that connects two big seas. Hormuz is not just a name, but also power and control. From a strategic point of view, the country that controls this route holds the keys to the global economy. During tensions between Iran and America, threats are often made to close this route. If this route is closed even for a few days, global stock markets may fall and inflation may skyrocket, which is also being seen amid the war situation. The prices of crude oil are increasing. The stock markets are falling.
Name gained recognition through business power
Not only religious or linguistic reasons, economic power also made this name famous globally. When the Hormuz Empire was at its peak, it was called the Key of the Persian Gulf. Ships passing through this area would pay taxes in Hormuz. People also started calling the surrounding water areas and roads by the name of the same city. This is common human habit. For example, the entire strip starts to be recognized by the name of a big station or city. Thus, the city’s prosperity and maritime power ensured that the name Hormuz would be forever imprinted on this part of geography.
Why is this a life-line?
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the lifeline of global energy security. There are many solid reasons for this.
- Huge oil trade: Big oil producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar send their oil through this route. About two crore barrels of oil passes through here every day. If this route is closed, there will be a huge shortage of petrol and diesel in the whole world.
- gas supply: Qatar is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Almost all of Qatar’s gas exports go through this route. Many countries of the world depend on this route for power generation and industries.
- Geographical location: This path is very narrow. Its widest width is only 33 kilometers. The safe shipping lane made for the movement of ships is only three kilometers wide. Due to it being such a narrow space, it is easy to control, but the danger here is equally big.
many challenges
Today the Strait of Hormuz is facing many challenges. Due to the dispute between Iran and the Israeli-American war, the Iranian army is more alert here. Warships are deployed. In recent years, incidents of drone and missile attacks on merchant ships have increased. There is always a risk of marine pollution due to transportation of oil on such a large scale.
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a part of geography. It is also the engine that runs modern civilization. Simply put, it is the path that keeps the lights on in the houses and the cars on the roads in the world. Its security and peace is in the interest of the entire world. Without this the global trade structure could collapse.
Also read: How much oil does a cargo ship carrying oil by sea drink every hour?