Indo-Aryan Civilization

So far we have travelled from 3300 B.C to around 1500 B.C covering the World's third largest Civilization. In the Ancient History, next big thing after the Indus Valley Civilization is: The advent of Aryans. Now let's see what happened from 1500 B.C to 600 B.C especially with regards to The Aryans. There are few big debates running on Aryans. I don't wish to engage in any debate but let us know two such popular debates: 

• Nationality: One section propose that the Aryans were native Indians while the other section argues that Aryans were Foreign nationals having their origins somewhere in the Eurasia i.e., the chunk of land between Black sea and Caspian Sea.

• Race: One section argues that Aryan community is a specific race while the other section argues that Aryan Community is a community sharing a common language. It is to be noted that this so-called particular language that Aryans speak doesn't have a script. It can only be communicated vocally and cannot be written. We shall see more about the script they adopt in the coming blogs.

Aryans:

The word Aryan means Noble in Sanskrit/Persian. Please note that I'm not being biased but making a decision to choose to believe that Aryans are foreigners originating from the Eurasia region based on the archaeological evidences. 

Origins of Aryans:

3000 B.C - Aryan community is found to be existing in the region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It is believed that over time Aryans have completely exhausted various resources available in that region. Being nomadic people, they set out to find new pasture of land to settle and exploit the available resources. Owing to such nomadism, Aryans were believed to have travelled away from the Eurasia region to different directions. It is to be noted that the entire community of Aryans did not travel as a single large group but as a number of small groups. These small groups travelled in different directions from the Eurasia region. Evidences show the presence of Aryans in Persia, China, Afghanistan, and Indian regions towards Asia; and Ukraine, Greece, Italy, Russia and Germany in the Europe. However, in our discussions, we will be concerned about that particular group of Aryans who have reached Persia. Being nomadic people, they have halted at many points, settled at various places before reaching Persia. Sources show that they have reached Persia only by early 1500 B.C. 

'Persia is now the present day Iran. Persia, the name has a biblical origins where as Iran literally means 'Aryan's land' in Sanskrit/Persian. The name change from Persia to Iran happened in 1930s (1935 to be specific). The story behind the name change is related to Persia wanting to identify themselves with the Aryan Movement that had by then started in Germany(by the Nazis). It was important for Persia to do that because Germany was a rising star in Europe by then. Persia or the Shaw of Persia wanted to grab this as an opportunity to build strong relations with Germany. Unfortunately, little did they know what Germany would do post 1935 period to the Jews and the rest of the Europe. However the name Iran continued without reverting to old name.'

Entry in to India:

After reaching Persia, the Aryans started moving towards Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Afghanistan and finally entered Pakistan-India through Khyber and Bolan Passes.  It is important to note that, surprisingly the Indus Civilization has vanished around the same period. Few historians believe that Aryans have invaded the Indus Valley Civilization resulting in their down fall. However there is no solid proof of Aryans coming in Contact with the IVC or massacring them.

Aryan Language:
Now, in contrast with what we know about the Aryans, the Indo-Aryans(Aryans who settled in India) have a written script for their language and that is Sanskrit. It gets more interesting as we analyze. Consider the languages: Sanskrit, Persian, Greek, Latin, German and Russian i.e., the languages of the places which came under the influence of Aryans at one time or the other. These languages share similarities in terms of their words, semantics and/or the grammar. This supports the theory that Aryans were a linguistic group i.e., Aryans were a large group of people sharing a common language and this language doesn't have a script. So, as per the theory wherever Aryans settled for a considerable period, they adopted the local script for their language. Therefore many words, semantics and grammatical similarities are found in these languages. However they might also belong to a same race having a common language. Which makes them a racial group. Hence, it becomes difficult to separate language from a race and vice-versa.  

Impacts of the Aryan Invasion:

So, what happened from 1500 B.C to 600 B.C? Lets see what are the impacts of advent of Aryans on the Indian Sub-Continent in chronological order(almost).

• Aryans have entered India through Khyber and Bolan Passes. By the time Aryans entered the North-West India, they were met with native Indians also famously referred as Dravidians. Physically speaking, Dravidians are dark and short while Aryans are White and Tall.  

'Aryans are considered to be caucasian. The term caucasian literally meant People who originated from Caucasus. Since, the nomadic Aryans originated from the Caucasus Mountain ranges which are located below the Caspian sea, they are called Caucasian. However as time passed Caucasian meant white person having origins in Europe.'    

  

• Aryans started moving from North-West India in to the Ganges river basin. They have made settlements near the Doab region, the region where Ganges and Jamuna rivers intersect. Further, they started conquering and forming settlements along the Ganges river. They have later extended their settlements in to the North-East. The above mentioned task of extending the Aryan foot prints from North-West to North-East India was obviously not a simple task. With the resources and Aryan technology of the Ancient times, it may take years, centuries or couple of centuries, for Aryans to cover and make settlements to such a large extent. 

• Aryans of the Eurasia travelled across continents to enter India and make settlements. But these Aryans finally settled in India. Ultimately, the settled Aryans lived in India for so long that they have become more Indian than European due to the influence of the surroundings. Over time, they have adopted our culture and practices. 

Post-Invasion effects:

From the time they have entered Indian sub-continent:

• They have had huge conflicts with the native Dravidians in the initial stages. 

• The Caucasian Foreign Aryans started ruling the native dark and short Dravidians.

• Due to their influence in the northern parts of India, Dravidian population might have shifted towards the Southern India.

• Over time, the Indo-Aryans and Dravidians started making peaceful cooperations and learned to get along.

• Centuries passed and finally the cooperations between Dravidians and Aryans; the invaded and invading people; the Natives and the Foreigners, gave rise to mutual influences. 

• The Dravidians are said to have adopted the religion from Aryans. And Aryans too have adopted the Dravidian Deities or Gods and few of heir religious practices/rituals.  

• The Aryans learnt the fine art of Agricultue and Architecture from the Dravidians. Aryans being nomads, never required neither agriculture nor architecture before. So the influences were mutual rather than just Aryans influencing the Dravidians. Hence, together they came up with a new Indian Culture which was neither purely Aryanistic nor purely native Indianistic.

• Over time, developed, what is now called Hindu religion(Hinduism). They also had racial stratification(Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaishya and Sudras) as a part of this culture. 

• This is how Aryans became Indians. Aryans no longer had to be nomadic or pastoral.   

• Sanskrit was the language which was pre-dominantly used in the Ancient India. 

What we have discussed so far explains: Who are Aryans were. Their origins. Their life style. Their culture. How they were able to extend their settlements in India. The mutual influences of Indo-Aryan and Native Indian communities. One last important aspect of the Indo-Aryan Civilization is:

The birth of caste system.

Caste System:

As we were discussing, over a long period of time the so-called foreign Aryans became part of India. The Indo-aryans were ruling the native Dravidian people. During this time, people were associated with their respective professions. People who know vedas(Vedas came in to existence orally by 1000 B.C and as written scriptures by 500-200 B.C) used to perform rituals. People who were particularly good at warfare used to join the armed forces or rule the kingdoms. People who were good at farming took up agriculture and so on. These particular professions were considered as the basis of the formantion of caste system in India. Slowly, it so became a practice that a farmer's son/daughter shall grow up to become a farmer. A ruler's son/daughter would take up similar ruling profession and so on. Anything otherwise was strictly prohibited by societal pressures. Based on this, it is so believed that four caste sections originated from four parts of the Deity or God. 

1. Brahmin  - From Mouth - Knowers of Vedas
2. Kshatriya - From Arms   - Rulers or Warriors
3. Vaishyas  - From Thighs - Agriculturalists or Businessmen
4. Sudras     - From Foot     - Cleaners, etc.,

Originally, Indo-Aryans alone belonged to the top three castes and Dravidians were grouped under Sudras. However later, Dravidians who were able to take up such professions were also given status of higher castes. These Dravidians are called Dvija- Twice born(Once naturally and next when they were promoted to higher caste).

Rise of Brahmins:
With the introduction of castes system and Vedas, Brahmins started gaining power as they were needed even by greatest kings to perform religious rituals and other practices/functions. Brahmins were looked up with highest respect and are granted with lands and riches by the kings. Stricter rules came in to force in regard to untouchability. Lower castes people were not allowed to talk/touch or even stand near the higher caste people. Inter-caste marriages were not allowed to preserve the purity of the one's caste especially the upper castes. 


Out-break:
This high level of dominance of the Brahmans in the society and stricter social rules based on caste system and the rigid culture under the influence of caste stratification led to the birth of Buddhism and Jainism in 4th Century B.C to 6th Century B.C.

Read further on VEDAS.