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Out of India theory: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 14:32, 19 August 2006 editPaul Barlow (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers93,539 edits how can the Puranas be "Vedic texts"?← Previous edit Revision as of 22:33, 19 August 2006 edit undoBakasuprman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users19,844 edits contradictionNext edit →
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It has been suggested that the ], which is known as being one of the most advanced civilizations of its time, was a ] civilization. Evidence of the Harappan people having a similar religion to those that lived in the region a millenium later has been used to support this idea. This suggests that the ], one of the most powerful of its time, was esentially ]. <ref> op cit. Agarwal </ref> It has been suggested that the ], which is known as being one of the most advanced civilizations of its time, was a ] civilization. Evidence of the Harappan people having a similar religion to those that lived in the region a millenium later has been used to support this idea. This suggests that the ], one of the most powerful of its time, was esentially ]. <ref> op cit. Agarwal </ref>


There are some who use Hindu texts to prove the Out of India theory. The ] mentions the idea that some ] left India to ] during the reign of King Sagara. The ] and Vishnu and Bhagavat ] suggest that ancient Turks, Greeks and Egyptians had connections with Vedic leaders who had left India. It has been suggested that the ] connects ] and ] with Vedic culture. Those who support these ideas date Aryan migrations from India into ] and ] at around 2000 BC. <ref> By Stephen Knapp </ref> There are some who use Hindu texts to disprove the Out of India theory. ] mentions the idea that some ] left India to ] during the reign of King Sagara. The ] and Vishnu and Bhagavat ] suggest that ancient Turks, Greeks and Egyptians had connections with Vedic leaders who had left India. It has been suggested that the ] connects ] and ] with Vedic culture. Those who support these ideas date Aryan migrations from India into ] and ] at around 2000 BC. <ref> By Stephen Knapp </ref>


F.E. Pargiter claimed, in his studies, that the origin of the Aryans could have been in the ] basin. He believed "the earliest connexion of the Vedas to be with the eastern region and not with the Pun­jab". While according to ], current linguistic evidence which has been associated with the AIT is more compatible with the OIT. <ref> by Koenraad Elst</ref> F.E. Pargiter claimed, in his studies, that the origin of the Aryans could have been in the ] basin. He believed "the earliest connexion of the Vedas to be with the eastern region and not with the Pun­jab". While according to ], current linguistic evidence which has been associated with the AIT is more compatible with the OIT. <ref> by Koenraad Elst</ref>

Revision as of 22:33, 19 August 2006

Out of India Theory is the argument that the Indo-European languages (I-E) originated in India, from which they spread into Central and Southwestern Asia and Europe. In modern times the theory has often been associated with Hindu nationalism. In the early history of Indo-European linguistics it was a more widely held theory, espoused most notably by Friedrich Schlegel. Schlegel wrote in a letter to Ludwig Tieck that India was the source of all languages and thoughts.

Basis of the Theory

In more recent times the theory has been supported by mostly Hindu authors who argue that Sanskrit is the highly refined form of a language that emerged over millenia in the Indus Valley, or elsewhere in India. Thus M. Mishra argues that Sanskrit evolved from a monosyllabic agglutinative language spoken in the Indus Valley Civilization, S. S. Misra also argues for Indian origins of I-E, while Shrikant Talageri asserts that the languages expanded from the Gangetic basin westwards..

The Indo-Aryan migration model suggests that the Indo-Aryan languages originiated outside India and reached the Subcontinent around 1500 BC. Those that support the Out of India Model cite astronomical references in the Rig Veda, which they allege places the origin of the Rig Veda more than a millennium before that time, at around 3000 BC. .

It has been suggested that the Indus Valley Civilization, which is known as being one of the most advanced civilizations of its time, was a Vedic civilization. Evidence of the Harappan people having a similar religion to those that lived in the region a millenium later has been used to support this idea. This suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the most powerful of its time, was esentially Vedic.

There are some who use Hindu texts to disprove the Out of India theory. Vishnu Purana mentions the idea that some Kshatriya left India to Central Asia during the reign of King Sagara. The Rig Veda and Vishnu and Bhagavat Puranas suggest that ancient Turks, Greeks and Egyptians had connections with Vedic leaders who had left India. It has been suggested that the Mahabharata connects Europe and Persia with Vedic culture. Those who support these ideas date Aryan migrations from India into Mesopotamia and Persia at around 2000 BC.

F.E. Pargiter claimed, in his studies, that the origin of the Aryans could have been in the Ganges basin. He believed "the earliest connexion of the Vedas to be with the eastern region and not with the Pun­jab". While according to Koenraad Elst, current linguistic evidence which has been associated with the AIT is more compatible with the OIT.

History

While it had some notable backing in its early years. Some linguists rendered the theory obsolete by the mid 19th century. Nevertheless, it was still widely believed at this time that Vedic Sanskrit was the the closest of known languages to the postuated Proto-Indo-European language. In the light of other 2nd millennium BC records of I-E dialects discovered since (Mycenaean Greek and Anatolian), this is now held to be due to the early time of attestation rather than to a special position of Indo-Aryan within the I-E family tree.

In recent times, a number of authors have revived the theory, although some claim this revival is due to an increase in support for Hindutva. Supporters of the theory cite flaws the Aryan Invasion model as apparent proof for the Out of India model.

Notes

  1. Friedrich von Schlegel: Ueber die Sprache und Weisheit der Indier (1808)
  2. Ludwig Tieck und die Brüder Schlegel, Briefe. Edited by Lüdecke. Frankfurt/M. 1930.
  3. Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies, review of Mishra From Indus to Sanskrit, Yugank Publishers, 1996.
  4. Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies, The Aryan Invasion and the "Out of India" theories, by M. Witzel
  5. Demise of the Aryan Invasion Theory by Dr. Dinesh Agarwal
  6. op cit. Agarwal
  7. Death of the Aryan Invasion Theory By Stephen Knapp
  8. Linguistic Aspects of the Aryan Non-Invasion Theory by Koenraad Elst

References

  • Friedrich von Schlegel: Ueber die Sprache und Weisheit der Indier (1808)
  • Misra, Satya Swarup, The Aryan problem, a linguistic approach. New Delhi : Munshiram Manoharlal, 1992

See also

External links

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