|
On the Implications of the Aryan Invasion Prof. Gul Agha has circulated a message from Brehas2@aol.com (copied at the end) which I find surprising. There is far too much misinformation and disinformation in it. I however choose to believe that the intention is not propaganda but a sincere desire to know the facts. Brehas2@aol.com boldly states : "Now, what I cannot agree with is the discovery by various authors that there were not Aryan invasions" Of course, Brehas2@aol.com is entitled to his belief in the Aryan Invasion theory. Also he is in quite a distinguished company which in the past held such a view - though in recent times this view has been demolished effectively. The British, (and later, the Islamic fundamentalist writers), in presenting the Aryan Invasion Theory, offered no proof. They did not need to. Hundreds of historians from the Indian subcontinent rushed forward to earn their doctorates, promotions, patronage and government-aided jobs, scholarships and positions for supporting the British theory of Aryan Invasion of India. Their Proof? Largely quoting those very hundreds of articles and books - and asking - how could so many learned books and serious articles by countless British and Indian historians be wrong! Some did murmur that the British created myth of Aryan Invasion Theory was aimed at proving to the people of the Indian subcontinent that they have always been ruled by foreigners, being incapable of ruling themselves and that it was always the foreign invader, like the Aryans (and in later times, other foreigners and finally, the British), who brought progress and enlightenment - and therefore never must Indians aspire for self-rule unless the intention is to bring back darkness, decadence and ruin on themselves. I think Brehas2@aol.com should, if he does not have a closed mind and is interested in learning something, should read Bhagwan S. Gidwani’s best-seller, ‘RETURN OF THE ARYANS’ (Published by Penguin Books India, ISBN 0-14-024053 -5). This book by Sindhi writer, in novel form, updates much of the research from scholarly and historical sources, archeological records, oral traditions and memory songs to present facts and evidence to show the Aryan Invasion Theory is flawed. I had the privilege of recently reviewing ‘RETURN OF THE ARYANS’. As I stated in my review, the book presents the drama of the birth and beginnings of the roots of Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) prior to 8,000 BCE right from the dawn of civilization. Other main themes in the book are : 1. Aryans originated from the Indian subcontinent. Sindh was amongst their main home ground and cradle grounds 2. Aryans were born, grew up, and died as citizens of Bharat Varsha (Indian subcontinent), anchored in the timeless foundation of Sanatana Dharma. 3. The theory of Aryan invasion of India from the West is false and frivolous. 4. Equally false and frivolous is the theory of the North-South Divide, as the story in the book shows how people of the Ganga, Madhya, Sindhu, Saraswati, Bangla and other regions were together with the Dravidian regions, in a spirit of equality and mutual respect, as parts of Bharat Varsha (INDIAN Subcontinent). 5. A generation that remains unaware of its roots is truly orphaned - and our generation, as also the coming generations, must be made aware of our cultural roots, and the glory and greatness of the ideals and values of the ageless Indian civilization - along with the presentation of art, culture, music, dance, yoga, abstract thought, philosophical leanings, and spiritual leanings of pre-history Indian subcontinent. 6. A clear message in RETURN OF THE ARYANS, is for universal rights and justice, respect for women, protection of environment.. While the book deals with the history of Hinduism affectionately, it also re-emphasizes our age-old spirit of tolerance for all faiths including recognition of spiritual nature of man wherever he is from; and acceptance of every culture and faith as expressions of eternal values. 7. Thus RETURN OF THE ARYANS speaks of beauty and universality of Hinduism, and its respect for all faiths - and it asserts that "Whatever god you choose, He is that God, and Dharma (Righteousness) is His Will". Let me add also for information of Brehas2@aol.com, the instances of glory and greatness of Sindh from the dawn of civilization which are mentioned in Gidwani’s ‘RETURN OF THE ARYANS’. These are summarized in GT Shahani’s article, a copy of which I shall be glad to make available to anyone on request. Among these instances which GT Shahani’s article summarizes, are the following : - It was SINDHIS from SIND who discovered the routes to Ganga, Madhya, Dravidian, Bangla, and other regions in 5,000 BC; and the civilizations of all these regions, then, came together, in a spirit of equality and mutual respect. All these regions joined to form Bharat Varsha (Indian Subcontinent). - Sindh, along with Bharat Varsha, is the most ancient civilization in the world - more ancient than China, Japan, Mesopotamia, Iran and Egypt. - Sindh was one of the major home-grounds and cradle-grounds of Aryans when they left India in 5,000 BC, and returned back to their home-town and heritage of Sindh. The exploits and adventures of Aryans of Sindh can fill a thousand volumes. Unfortunately, the way our history is written, they occupy only a tiny place in our national memory. - Sindh had profound influence on RIG VEDA, doctrines of KARMA; MOKSHA & AHIMSA; and also on the lofty ideals of Sanatana Dharma. - Along the banks of Sindhu, our Sindhi ancestors founded the ancient order of Sanatanah, before 8,000 BC, and from this root of Sanatanah sprang Sanatana Dharma - the ageless religion of the Hindus. It also surprises me that Brehas2@aol.com states that the idea of cremation being inherited from the Hindus is pathetic (as is propagated by Frawley, Rajaram and others). Frawley and Rajaram are respected writers. What is causing Brehas2@aol.com to consider their views as "pathetic" ? What is the inspiration for such an observation? Equally surprising is his reference to Dalits without understanding history’s timeline and realizing that caste system was never a part of Aryan practice and philosophy and came much, much later. I hope Prof. Gul Agha will kindly circulate this to all those to whom he has circulated Brehas2@aol.com’s message, Respectfully, Jagjit =============================== In a message dated 3/22/2004 8:50:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, agha@CS.UIUC.EDU writes: From: Brehas2@aol.com Sir, I would like to ask the readers on this website the following question : I would like to know where the rite of cremation came from and who brought it to India. I agree that the Indus Valley Civilization [IVC] probably did not become extinct by the Aryans but it is rarely in history that an outside invading force would assimilate with the indigenous people so peacefully. Now, the Aryans were nomads and very warlike and possessed the tools of modern warfare for that period and it is very unlikely that they kept their hands folded at the glittering prizes of the IVC. On the other hand the IVC could have become extinct by the forces of nature and the discovery of the Sarasvati river is a testament to this. Now, what I cannot agree with is the discovery by various authors that there were not Aryan invasions : - If there were not then who brought the rite of cremation to India to burn on funeral pyres for it is well known that the IVC people did not practice cremation as the indigenous people of India, cremation only began when an outside force came into India. - Sanskrit, was not indigenous to the IVC, and the Dalits and other minorities place the blame for their plight squarely on the Indo-Aryans the apparent inheritors of the Aryans. Plus there are a lot of other factors I will not go into here. Also, the idea spread around in the media that cremation is inherited from the Hindus as a religious sect is pathetic (as is propagated by Frawley, Rajaram and others). Thanking you for a reply. |