Indo-Aryan migration: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Aryan migration - History

Indo-Aryan migration - History

When British and European language students first encountered Sanskrit in the late 18th century, they naturally assumed Sanskrit was the oldest of the Indo-European languages & the fount of all the others. As the study of language progressed, it became clear -- for very technical reasons -- that this could not be the case: there had existed a still older language (Proto-Indo-European) from which all the Indo-European languages descended. This reconstructed language had clearly come from a temperate climate, north of the Himalayas. Hence the Indo-Aryan languages had migrated down into the South Asian plains.

Initially, in line with 19th century ideas, an Aryan 'invasion' was made the vehicle of the language transfer. Then, in the later 20th century, ideas were refined, and so now migration + acculturation are seen as the methods whereby Indo-Aryan spread into northwest South Asia. These changes are exactly in line with changes in thinking about other language transfers. For example, the Anglo-Saxons were once thought to have invaded Britain and murdered virtually all the Celts. It is now recognised that only small numbers migrated from the Continent. Nevertheless, Anglo-Saxon (Old English) replaced the older Celtic languages.

This broader picture is virtually unknown to those who support the notion of an South Asian origin for the Indo-Aryan languages. Combining the 19th century notion of an Aryan 'invasion' with the contentious concept of an innately superior Aryan race employed by some 19th century scholars, some still contest that any migration of Indo-Aryans whatsoever took place. But many 19th century scholars, even, strongly rejected the idea of an Aryan 'race'. This too is practically unknown to the anti-migrationists.

It should be noted that Indus Valley civilization, discovered in the 1920s, was unknown to 19th century scholars. The discovery of an urban civilization in decline roughly contemporaneous to the proposed migration movement was seen initially as an independent confirmation of these early suggestions (compare the causal relations between the decline of the Roman Empire and the Germanic Migration Period). But now the Indo-Aryan migration is placed subsequent to the decline of the Indus Valley peoples.

The debate over such an invasion, and the proposed influx of elements of Vedic religion from Central Asia is still politically charged and hotly debated in India. Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) organizations, especially, remain opposed to the concept, for political and religious reasons. Many Indian Marxists and a fraction of the Dalit Movement support the theory, as do a number of uncommitted Indians.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki