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Re: Demise of Aryan Racial/Invasion Theory
This is a very interesting article on various issues related to the
historical and archeological aspects of India.
I think that the theory of Aryan invasion is still of highly
academic interest. People in general are still
interested in the history of India and archeological and other
proofs but whether there were Aryans who
came to India and Europe long time ago from northern parts is not
very relevant. I agree that there is very
little proof in Indian culture today of this(AIT). I would like to
see an archeological and other proof-finding
for various aspects of our history.
I have following comments and questions on the ancient history of
India:
1.Finding Dwaraka city from around 2500 BC at the same place as
today's Dwaraka is significant in showing the dates around which
Shri Krishna and Mahabharata took place. Its similarity in
time-frameto MohanjoDaro Harappa is interesting. The range of
years (3000BC to 1500BC in Dwaraka and 1500 BC for
Mohanjodaro-Harappa) indicates that from the time of Mahabharata
different parts of the country evolved a little differently in
different parts of the country.
2. Rama and Ramayana are dated before Mahabharat. Rameshwar and
the setu (the bridge that was built) are still very real places.
I am wondering if we have dated on the archeological evidence of
these places. The current Rameshwaram temple is dated around 1000
AD, I believe)But Ramayana clearly says that Rama traveled from
Ayodhya to Lanka. Rama came across various kings and cultures
during his journey to Lanka.
3. Agastya and the rishis lived before Rama. Agastya is known to
be the first rishi who crossed Vindhya parvat.
4. From the key archeological evidence and the cultures and
traditions in India, the following is plausible to me:
The Rigvedas was developed in Northern India. Rishis traveled to
south and spread the knowledege. Cultures had flourished in
various parts of India. Other Vedas and Upnishads were composed
by Rishis from all over India including South India from atleast
5000BC onwards. Sanskrit was the main language of learning and
Hinduism. Languages and cultures flourished in various times and
so did the language of governing based on various factors. Today's
languages evolved due to decentrallized rules and (may be due to
loss of tradition of rishsi) The notion that a culture only spreads
by invasion and political power is false, especially in Indian
context. Refuting Aryan invasion theory may be wothwhile, but
separation of conquests from spread of culture and religion in
ancient India is worth quite a bit. Rishis, sages and saints
have spread the Hinduism/Vedantism more that any conquests and
conquest of India by Aryans or south by north is not only untrue
but could best be ignored as not very relevant.
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