Expansions of Aryans in India

Expansions of Aryans in India

2020-04-20 00:09:33

• Expansions of Aryans in India
  • PYQs

---

• Indo-Aryan migration took place from 1800-1500 BCE. They were a branch of Indo-Iranians who originated from present day Afghanistan.
• Migration took several centuries and unlike Mortimer Wheelers hypothesis did not involve invasion.
• They occupied much of Northern India and expanded to other parts.
• Were a linguistic group of people who spoke Indo European language. Ex Sanskrit words Matri and Pitri are similar to Mater and Pater of Latin.
• Originally from Steppes.
• Evidences from Hindu Kush region are horses, spoked wheels, fire cult and creamation which formed imp parts of Aryan life in India.
• Gandhara Grave culture :
  • 1710 BC and 200 BC.
  • oblong pits, stone lined walls usually closed with a stone slab
  • had larger upper pit filled with soil and charcoals
  • 3 types of burials : flexed, post cremation and fractional
  • Grave goods included goblets, pedestal cups, beakers. female figurines, bronze horse etc.
• associated with ==Indo-Aryan migration== into the subcontinent and is seen as a token of it. It also has regional specificities related to it.
• Bogaz Koi inscription b/w a Hittite and a Mitani king mentions Indra, Mitras, Nastasia, Ashvins and Varuna.
• Dasa and Dasyus -> original inhabitant of the country were different
  • Aryans used Horse driven chariots, chain mail, had better arms.

PYQs

10-11-2022 10:21

---

1. Discuss the geographical area known to the Rig Vedic people. Were they familiar with the sea? [1985, 60m]

• Mention about rivers, mountains, seas, deserts, cities and towns

Answer

The early Vedic Aryans lived in the area known as sapta-sindhu meaning area of seven rivers. This area largely covers the northwestern part of South Asia up to river Yamuna. The seven rivers included Sindhu, Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Vipash (Beas), Shutudri (Sutlej) and the Sarasvati. In this area the Rigvedic people lived, fought battles, grazed their herds of cattle and other domesticated animals. Gradually moving eastward, they came to occupy eastern U.P. (Kosala) and north Bihar (Videha) during the Later Vedic period. Here they came into contact with the people who spoke languages different from their own and were living in this area for long.¹

1. “Archaeology knows of no Aryans; only literature knows of Aryans.” Examine critically. [2015, 10m]

• [In the Hindu tradition, the Vedas have the status of Shruti.](onenote: Sources. one #Brahmanical %20Religious%20Literature&section-id={CC847531-CFF3-446A-9D8A-1840987282A0}&page-id={DB848192-2A0A-44CA-B5A4-2721195D70E6}&object-id={019CDED6-1343-4A57-BABE-A646EC7B0742}&C&base-path= https://d.docs.live.net/bbc8be5bd337910c/Documents/History%20Optional/Ancient%20History/Part%20I )
• Little archaeological evidence for Aryan invasion

Answer

The term ‘Aryan’ is a contested one, with a complex history that has been used to refer to a range of different groups of people, from ancient Indo-Iranian peoples to those of the modern era. While the term is often used to refer to a racial or ethnic group, its meaning has been used in various ways throughout history. As such, it is not surprising that archaeology knows of no Aryans, as the term has been used in different contexts throughout history.

In its most common usage, the term ‘Aryan’ is used to refer to a group of people who are thought to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, spreading out to other parts of the world. This group is often associated with the Indo-European language family and is thought to have played an important role in the development of many of the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. However, there is no archaeological evidence to support this theory. While there is evidence of a migration of people from the Indian subcontinent to other parts of the world, there is no evidence to suggest that this migration was related to the development of any particular religion or language.

The term ‘Aryan’ has also been used to refer to a group of people who are thought to have originated in Central Asia, and who were responsible for the spread of the Indo-European language family to Europe. This theory is based largely on linguistic evidence, as there is no archaeological evidence to support it. Similarly, the term has been used to refer to a group of people who are thought to have originated in the Middle East and who are responsible for the spread of the Semitic languages to Europe. Again, there is no archaeological evidence to support this theory.

Finally, the term ‘Aryan’ has been used in literature to refer to a race of people who are thought to be superior to other races. This idea has been used in various works of fiction, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and is often associated with Nazi ideology. However, this is not an idea that is supported by archaeological evidence, and is instead a literary construct.

In conclusion, it is accurate to say that archaeology knows of no Aryans, as the term has been used in different contexts throughout history and has no archaeological basis. While there is evidence of migrations of people from the Indian subcontinent to other parts of the world, as well as evidence of the spread of the Indo-European language family, there is no evidence to suggest that these migrations or languages are related to any particular ethnic or racial group. Similarly, the idea of an Aryan race is a literary construct, and is not supported by archaeological evidence.

Footnotes

1. https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/SrSec315NEW/315_History_Eng/315_History_Eng_Lesson4.pdf ↩