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Indo-Iranian Affinity- Linguistic and Genetic Evidence

Bipin Shah June 2014

Abstract

The earlier article dealing with the history of Aryans, the schism between Indo- Iranian Aryans was

published in Academia web site and Google blog. We reviewed the Indo-Iranian split from Proto Indo-

Iranian group who called themselves “Aryans”, “Airyas” or similar names. The scholars will continue to

debate the meaning of this word “Arya” and what it meant. The meaning Arya is of lesser importance to us

than their history of their steppe migration and separation. The commonality of their religious worshipping

was strikingly similar as well as their language, as illustrated in Vedas and Avesta. One can easily infer

“Arya” either to be a language , tribal group or people having common ethnicity. It can also be construed as

a title or epithet for this group of people because they followed certain norms of culture and religious

beliefs. Zarathustra existence can be vouched prior to the rise of Achemenians in 700 BC. The seal depicting

Ahur Mazda, their supreme God and the symbol of Zoroasterism dates them to 1000 BC or earlier.

The Inscriptions of Great Persian king Darius also known as Bisitoon or Behistan inscription and his son,

Xerxes; suggested an ethnic designation. Darius-1, Behistun inscription (DBiv.89) as written; he and Xerxes

state in their surviving texts at Naqsh-i Rostam (DNa.14), Susa (DSe.13), and Persepolis (XPh.13): “ P~rsa,

P~rsahy~ puça; Ariya, Ariya ciça” virtually meaning: I am Persian, son of a Persian; an Aryan, belonging to

the Aryan race or ethnicity. We also find the same word and implication in Pahlavi literatures, and in

Sassanian numismatics coins and inscriptions, seals, and other documents. Just by name, it suggest that the

word Persian (Sanskrit- Parshva or Parsu) was a clan or group of clan belonging to larger confederation of

group “Aryan” who followed certain civic norms (nobility), shared similar cultures and religious worships

until the schism was advanced by Zarathustra. That culture was the culture of Rig Veda, the ancient of all

the scripture and called by many as Vedic religion.

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The derivative word Īrān (Iran); and Īrān-Shahr, meaning the Iranian Empire; or as “Īrān-vez”, meaning the

mythical original homeland of the Aryans and the word “an‘r”(Anarya-Sanskrit) meaning non-Aryan were

common terms shared by early Indo-Iranians. The Persian word such as “anīrān”( ignobility, evil) can

equates to “Brahamans”(knowledge and good) for Vedic people. The word Asura was reserved for the

enemies of Arya of Vedic people while Persian Aryans considered it to be a good spirit. Ahur (Asur) Mazda

was the God of ancient Persia, while Brahmana was the God of Vedic Aryan. So, all the Gods and Demi

gods of Vedic Aryans became evils under Zoroasterism and what Zoroasterism called Good (Ahur Mazda)

and Yazata (Sanskrit-Yama) became their God and benevolent spirit. Brahman and Deva were good spirits

for Vedic people. It seems both Aryans groups adopted opposing positions as far as religious was

concerned giving rise to age of Zoroasterism from 1200 BC-1000 BC. Shamashashtri was first to discover

Arthashashtra in 1922 and his thoughts on Vedic age and who were Arias, when the knowledge of

Genomics or archeology evidence from Russia were not known to us. some writers have misinterpreted

and advanced theory that “all Indians were Iranians first.” There were no such things. They were all Aryans

broke up into various clans with common ancestry.

Iran and India share common cultural and language heritage and schism arose sometimes after 1000 BC;

the date remains uncertain until Zoroasterism was recognized as state religion and spread west. India and

Iran are modern terms for geography and nationalities created after Achaemenid age. Around 2400 BC,

India-Iran-Afghanistan-Siestan-Turkmenistan and area around Caspian Sea belonged to same cultural and

religious worship zone with Gods like Varuna (Wind), Sun (Mitra, Mithra), Moon, Agni (Fire), Natsaya with

numerous Devas including chief of Deva (Indra). They were all Aryans and spoke nearly the same language

derived from mother language that was Proto-Sanskrit.

Panini, the Sanskrit grammarian was born in Afghanistan. The Varsagriha battles among Aryan clans were

fought near North of Herat in Afghanistan (ancient Bactria) when Zoroaster and his sponsor King Vishtasp

both were killed by coalition of Vedic warriors that included chief of Kamboj clans. All clans who

participated in Mahabharata were followers of Vedic religion and that included ancestor of present

Iranians. Achemenian’s army included many Indian Aryan fighters.

The archeological evidence suggests that all Aryan clans were residing in same vicinity of BMAC complex at

one time in the history and enjoyed the same language and cultures. There are other absurd claims that

nationality of Buddha was Iranian. Again, that is looking through modern geography. Aryan clans

crisscrossed all that lands at will and All of the Aryan clans came from North and settled either in India or

Persia and waves of migrations took place starting from as early as 3000 BC to as late as 500 BC. The Pali

scriptures and other archeological evidence suggest that Buddha was born in Greater India and was of

India -Saka origin with Sunskirter names. Ancient India once included the five rivers delta and then

extended to Ganges doab in the east and Baluchistan, Bactria, Siestan. Afghanistan and Khorasan area to

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the west until the rise of Achaemenian Aryans of Susa. The present geographical division did not exist in

antiquity, but tribal kingdom were defined by the tribes and mountains or rivers marked their border.

The Medes and Mittani also followed the same Vedic deities of Mitra, Varuna and Nasatyas (Aswins)

despite the difference in variation of dialect they spoke. Iranian Aryans switch their deities in terms of

classifying who are good and who are evils with the rise of schism advocated by fire worshipper

Zarathustrianism. This switch and defection was formalized as early as 1200 BC or late as 800 BC. The exact

date is uncertain but Zarathustranism held a firm footing in west Asia under Achemenian’s rules.

To view the ancient history using lenses of modern nationalities is not only erroneous but produces wrong

conclusions. The linguistic section down below will show why old Sanskrit was the mother of all Indo-

European languages. While Aryans who settled in north India mixed with people who were already there

prior to their arrival, the Persian branch expanded west and mixed with semite, Elamite and other

ethnicities. This 3000 plus years of melting pot produced the mixed and modern population that exhibits

diversified genomes.

One author even speculated that perhaps Zarathustra was an Indian? This will be equally erroneous. There

are thing we know for certain and there are things we do not know. We know the common characteristics

of these clans, they drank Soma, love gambling and backgammon type of games and enjoyed the gambling.

They believed in bride kidnapping as described in epic literature (still practiced in Kyrgyzstan). In mythical

world of Rig Veda, there are two classes of deities: Devas who are righteous and embodiment of

everything that should be righteous, while Asura was symbolic of evils spirit. The various Hindu scriptures

echo the same theme. In Zoroasterism, Ahur (Asur) Mazda was the embodiment of everything righteous,

while “Ahriman” (Sanskrit Brahman) was a satanical spirit. Avestan scriptures of Zoroaster talks about

Yazata (Sanskrit-Yama) and Devas. Avestan scriptures considered Devas as evil spirit. As I covered in my

earlier article, this opposite articulation among two Aryan groups (just like quarrel between two brotherly

clans of Kuru-Pancala of Mahabharata) is nothing new to their quarreling history but a schism or

disagreement among clans. The legendary story regarding one of the Seven Rishi who may have

contributed to this schism was covered in previous article. Some Rig Vedic and Avestan hymns implies

“cow stealing” among nomadic people (similar offence of horse stealing of American west that resulted in

gun fights). The cow stealing was certainly considered heinous acts as the animal supported the survival of

nomads. We do not know the clear reason for this schism or resulting conflict at Varsagriha. The legend of

Parsuram echoes the dispute related to cow, an asset to pastoralist Aryan.

Achemenians who promoted Zoroasterism described themselves of “Kuru” descent (Origin). We do not

know for sure, if they were related to Kuru branch of Mahabharata or there was a reversed migration out

of India after devastating War among clans. For a long period of history, Krishna was a popular hero in

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central Asia, known as Heracles (in Greek and may equate to Hare Krishna)

https://www.academia.edu/25583944/Early_Vedic_Schism-Indo-

Iranian_Aryan_Split_and_Rise_of_Zarathustranism_Zoroastrianism

Early Reasons of Migration from various homelands(Urheimat)

The humans have been migrating from place to place since their first migration out of Afrika. The migration

instinct is born out of survival , curiosity and adventure instincts, and threat events like rapid climate

changes, seeking improvement from current status, avoiding threat perception. In antiquity, dated to

100,000 to 130,000 years ago, the humans migrated out of Africa as per World Genome Projects sponsored

by National geography. This may have taken them as much as 30,000 to 40,000 years before they reached

India. Along the way, they branched off and some will march forward and disperse in different direction

and some will stay. The genomic studies consisting over 1 million samples throughout the world done by

National Geographic Society documents the trail of human migration throughout the world.

During these long periods, the gene mutated and modern human cross breed with other hominine species.

All indication suggests that intermixing along with gene mutation altered the physical characteristics. The

extreme climate changes perhaps induced gene mutations and “survival of the fittest” brought about the

changes in physical characteristics. We discovered this by observing Human genome data and other species

of animal kingdom in extreme polar regions. What Genomic studies have told us that there were ancient

migrations in and out of India long before anyone heard of Indus valley (Harrapan) settlers, Dravidian

speakers, and Indo-European (Sanskrit speakers). There could be many migrations in and out of India

during stone age period as well during bronze and Iron age.

Australian aborigines originally lived in india before they made their way to Australia through various

prehistoric land bridges that may have existed. The same hypothesis is formulated and applied to Siberian

people’s migration through Alaska to American continent. The specific prehistoric map of out of India is

presented below and should not be confused with any Aryan migration theory. Equally erroneous is an

assumption that those prehistoric people who migrated out of India were Aryans and spread their

language and culture. We have no evidence of that. The only conclusion we can derive that India has many

ancient DNA strands and contains enormous genetic diversities from the map compiled below by National

geographic institution and numerous studies.

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Source: national Genome study by national Geographic

Proto-Indo European :

Sometimes during 10th millennium, Proto Indo- European people moved out of Northern Russia or near

Siberia into different direction. During 4th through 6th millennia’s, a part of this group who will call Proto-

Indo-Iranian Aryan moved towards BMAC complex due to extreme change in the climate. As they move for

greener posture and foods, they settled for generations and as condition demanded they kept moving.

Prior to some of these new archeological findings by Russian archeologist, various hypothetical models

existed. Colonial era hypothesis of Aryan Invasion was dead on arrival. There are no proofs that those

Harrapan settlers developed Sanskrit or any language. They probably worshipped different religion and

God and Shiva may be one of them. These religious practices of Pre-Aryan settlers are well represented in

Hinduism that was a schism incorporated in Vedic Brahmanism as melting process grew. This explanation

seems more logical and common sensical than unnecessary debates.

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Vast central Asian steppe once was lush grassland ideal for Pastoralist and Nomads

The Indo-Iranian groups probably were the largest and the most widespread group in an Indo-European

family wondering around in central Asian steppe. They must have held their position for thousands of

years while fertile crescent civilization had reached their zenith that included Mesopotamia and Indus

valley civilizations. This assumption is made through archeological evidence of various cultures and

references from Zend Avesta. The primary motivator or driver for migration was the climate change. The

unexpected climate changes in southern Russian steppe reduced the fodders for animals. It is exceedingly

difficult to pinpoint the location of Urheimat or homeland for continuously migrating people. One can say

there may be multiple Urheimat depending on what time frame we are referencing. During those distant

millennia, they roamed the vast, limitless Eurasian steppe as pastoralist riders and charioteers. Over the

years, they have gone through from bronze age charioteer to Iron age Charioteer. See more in these

articles.

https://www.academia.edu/37343217/Proto-Indo-Europeans_Gods_and_Religions_and_Evolution_of_Mythologies

https://www.academia.edu/19814780/Hyperborean_Issedones_and_Vedic_Aryans_of_Prehistory_and_new_findin

gs_on_related_Archeology_and_Genetics

The argument for climate change is a key driver for migration. This reasoning is well recognized in the

human history. The ancient’s survival depended on the animals that provided food when hunter gatherers

emerged from stone edge. The animals provided the field work where crops can be planted. The climatic

condition provided enough rain falls and water to grow anything that can be planted in extraordinarily rich

fertile soil. The animals provided agriculture field work and provided milk and dairy products for

nourishment. The animals served also as a means of transportation, so man can search for other edibles at

longer distance or engage in other profession and services.

The presence of rich grassland stretching across vast central steppe of Asia, provided fodders for animals to

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sustain their production cycles. The depletion of fodders attributed to extreme climatic changes either too

cold or too hot destroyed this production cycle, putting pressure on pastoralists to move or relocate for

greener posture.

We know this from recorded history of Han dynasty of China. Xiongnu, a Mongolian Hunnic tribe forced

Chinese to build Great wall to save peasantry and their agriculture production. The fierce Hunnic warriors

were killing people of south China and stealing their food and animals as grassland was depleting. This led

to fierce struggles among steppe people and Asia wide displacement of people was recorded. Xiongnu thus

attacked by Chinese displaced Yueh-chih (Tocharians) of Tarim basin who fled and kept moving towards

west while displacing others. Zend Avesta cites deadly winter as the cause of migration, while Rig-Veda,

being more religious texts and devoid of important geographic details do not provide any clues. However,

this Chinese record clearly explains why we find similar stories in Vedic and Avestan literatures of cow

stealing and finally how Indian religion institutionalized the protection of cows by considering them holy.

Simultaneously or in earlier centuries, the ecological changes were taking place in the fertile crescent of

Mesopotamia, Nile River, and Indus valley. These early urban civilizations had reached their Zenith and

were also declining due to trade disruption caused by long draughts and famines. The humid climate that

once created fertile land mass was disappearing and rain fall was dropping by more than 60 %. The lush

forest were turning into deserts, the mighty river that wetted the soil was drying up and forcing pastoralist

and urbanized societies to flee their well constructed cities and settlements. The shortage of water was

causing the starvation among animals and creating the scarcity of water and food. It is highly probable and

possible that tales of great civilization of south such as Indus valley, Elam and Mesopotamia may have

lured the wondering steppe people towards them through ancient tales of riches they once enjoyed. The

fertile crescent civilization’s survivors vacated the areas once they occupied by relocating elsewhere. The

outsiders unknown to their plight and perhaps few centuries later (in case of India) moved towards

vacated land and finding it in dried and desiccated state, they moved towards Swat and Ganges valley.

From their initial settlements in and around Kandahar and Punjab, they moved northeast, they

encountered the earlier inhabitants of India. Here they found necessary condition for settlements and

fertile soil. After Mahabharata war, Aryan clans coalesced into number of Janapadas. The greatest

Janapada was Magadha.

We cannot rule in or rule out early trade contacts Indo-Iranian or Indo- European nomads had with Fertile

crescent civilizations. They may have contacts or probably heard about them. The archeological evidence is

flimsy and scant. The map below suggests that there were some contacts but to what extent is not entirely

clear.

Rig Vedic reference to Dasa people is very vague and Indra’s destruction of enemy’s castle is also

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unidentifiable as Indus valley people had already left and their cities were left intact showing no signs of

conflicts, war and resulting destruction. The Known archeology both in India and Pakistan attest to this

fact. The maps below show how progressive and lengthy displacement of people may have been. Their

cultural and language zone also changed and was influenced by other group of the people they

encountered.

Cultural zone- Andronovo can be considered as Proto indo- European, south of that will be Indo-Iranian

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Western Asia

We know from the early history, how new people who called themselves Hittite rose from Hurrians group.

Hittite along with Mittani appeared in Asia minor and started dominating Asia minor. The Medes took over

Caspian Sea area with allied scythic group to the east. The Medes and Mittani are thought to be of same

religious kin to Aryans who observed the religion of Veda (Vedic people). They all worshipped the same

Vedic Gods. Although, the tribes and clans settled thousand miles from each other. We can infer that

Persian (Iranians) followed same worshipping standards as others until the rise of Zaruashtra. They all

seemed to exhibit same religion and worshipped the same God. Even Zaruashtra reversed the Gods but did

not change to new religion and kept the same names.

West Asia 1300-1500 BC

Iranian historian, Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi made an important observation regarding ancient history of

Persians from his learning from various Avestan texts and Sháhnáma:

“The last ice age on earth began approximately 14000 years ago and ended around 10000 years ago. These

ice ages led to formation of huge glaciers and icebergs in extreme polar regions. Archeo-geological

evidence show that around 10,000 years ago and with the termination of the last ice age, warm humid

climatic started to rule Iran and India. They also show that with the onset of warm humid period and

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retraction of icebergs to the north pole, the amount of rainfall gradually increased until it reached 4 to 5

times of its present rainfall around 5500 to 6000 years ago. (Equates to Fertile crescent era or Harrapan

era). Subsequently the water level of regional seas rose and reached its highest level filling up all the

hollows, deserts, valleys, and waterways. This is the period that in various mythologies around the world

was formed involving “Great Flood” as described in Bible. An increase in rainfall and floods occurred once

more around 4500 years ago, but it soon started to decline and a drought and hot dry climate started to

emerge around 4000 years ago reaching its climax about 3800 years ago (began the gradual decline of

Mesopotamia and Indus valley) .This coincided with the great shift of civilizations with decline and

disappearance. The warm humid climate that followed from 4000 to 1000 years ago led to emergence of

lush vegetation and massive forests in certain areas while other areas remained dry barren deserts. “

Indo-Iranian Domain

5000 to 5500 years ago, when fertile crescent began its descent from its peak, Hamadan and Bactria region

located was very fertile and was forested with greenery. Similar changes were taking place elsewhere such

as biblical land of Shinar that was later called Babylon and further west of Northern Anatolia (Turkey).

Indian Northern region stretching from Punjab, Swat valley, Kandahar valley to Terai region of Nepal also

turned green and was covered with lakes and river that created enough water supplies with a green

flourishing land mass and forest.

Abundant forests near ancient kingdom of Bactria (Balkh, Bakhdhi -Sanskrit), Avesta called it “Badgheys” or

“Vaiti gaes” in Persian) attracted nomadic pastoral settlers. Persian described this region in Avesta as

“Vatgisan, a place full of trees.” This favorable climatic situation in Balkh, north of present Afghanistan was

described in various historical texts. Avesta records northeastern Iran (Balkh, Bactria) as “Airyana Vaeja” or

homeland. It is quite understandable while Avestan writers would remember this as homeland, since

Zaruashtra and his family resided here for several generations. While the writers of Rajtarangni describes

Northern india including Kashmir valley also as green and lush.

As I pointed out earlier, there could be several homelands, when the nomadic clans migrated and settled

and lived there for centuries and for one reason or another they decided to migrate. BMAC archeological

complex was one of the last one near ancient Balkh where the fire Temple ruins were found. Zoroastrian

priest used fire temple for the worship of Ahur Mazda. Brahmins also worshipped fire (Agni). Many suspect

that Iranian branch split somewhere down here along with others. The map below shows the archelogy-

based location and movement of various steppe tribes. The spread of farming has much to do with where

to settle where there is adequate rains to support agriculture and fertility of soil.

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Steppe cultures and movements of the various IE people

Haplogroup R1a-Z93 covering North half of India and Iran and showing them in Southern Russia-Heat map-possible move by IE people

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Fertile crescent and spread of farming and development of script-Indus-Sarasvati and Zagros mountain Farmers

Timeline of Fertile crescent civilization and development of early for of cuneiform writing (Approximate but shifting time scale

based on new archeological findings.)

Balkh, Bactria, Bakhdhi

Masudi in his “Moruj ol-Zahab”, describes the beautiful city of Balkh (Capital city of Bactria) as a land so

bountiful with its lush vegetations and numerous fields. Shahriyar Samanid and Nizam Arouzi also regarded

this region as equivalent to Biblical Garden of Eve, akin to the heaven on earth. The effect of climate

change have made the Present Balkh region dry sand deserts just like Thar desert of Rajasthan. What a

change in ecology? Alexander the Great visited this area and was very much impressed. Archeological

evidence tallies with massive wave of migration of people across steppe and from Bactria to India and Iran

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in early history. Arkaim, Andronovo and BMAC complex culture shows correlation and connectivity with

Indo-Iranian migration. See Map below.

Ancient city of Balkh Chahar -Taqi Fire temple

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Indo-Iranian language and cultural zone 12th through 9th century BC

Linguistics Similarities of IE Language

Correlating with archeological cultural map shown below is the language map of Indo-European people.

The centum group (light blue) and Satem group (Pink to red) shows the language demarcation and

affinities. “Centum” in Latin means 100 (hundred) and “Satem” in Sanskrit also means number 100

(hundred). The Languages of the Indo-European family are classified as either “centum” (Latin group) or

“Satem” (Sanskrit group), according to how the dorsal consonants (sounds of "K" and "G" type) of the

reconstructed Proto-Indo-European languages (PIE) were developed. Although, this is a hypothetical

reconstruction of Proto IE language by world’s foremost linguistics, it does make lots of common sense. In

terms of archeological evidence, we have nothing substantial, except the similarities and meaning of the

words and two ancient scriptures Rig-Veda and Avesta as references. A good example of this development

is provided by the words such as Satem and centum. Both mean the number “100”. In centum languages,

they typically began with a /k/ sound (Latin centum was pronounced with initial /k/), but in Satem

languages, they often began with /s/ (the example of Satem comes from the Rigvedic and Avestan

languages of Indo-Iranian’s oldest scriptures dated to 2500 to 2300 BC as per revised dating, based on

Indian Purana.

The centum–Satem division forms a geographical division except for isolate extinct Language and ethnic

groups that are assumed to merge with other groups perhaps adopting other language groups like Kurds,

Basque and lost Tokhari group suggesting a wondering branch of earlier splits and merging with other

ethnic guys. Their known migration in early common era was circular, zigzag, westerly and southernly

without any destination. They resemble typical wondering nomads searching for fodders for their animals

and horses.

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Geographic dispersal of IE languages above and below

Since Avestan-Rig Vedic time, Indo-Iranian languages has gone through significant changes and evolved

into modern languages due to the influence of the non-IE speakers. The neighborhood languages during

civilization contacts resulting from the cultural, trade and war. Iranians mixed with people of Babylon,

Greeks, Jews, Egypt, and central Asia through Achemenian’s conquest. They exchanged the loan words and

religious and cultural elements. They also exchanged the loan words with western India through trade and

civilization contacts still found in western languages of India.

Indo-Iranian and Balto-Slavic languages falls under Satem group and their mother language is led by old

Sanskrit, the language of Rigveda. The Albanian and Armenian branches are also classified as belonging to

Satem group with minor influence of centum group. A simple example is given below. As people traveled

and interact with other group of people of different linguistic groups, they acquired different loan words,

sometimes they get merged with other ethnicities by marriages and relationship and their original spoken

language after few generation disappears.

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clear division in Asia minor and Europe- the divide of Centum Vs. Satem group and their migration preference Sintashta

and Srubna shows the break.

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Indo-European Language Tree by Warnow et al.

Development of other subordinate languages of India

When Sanskrit speakers arrived, they encountered many other groups speaking other languages. Some are

still distinct and form a separate groups like Dravidian speakers and Austro-Asiatic speakers. However,

majority of the speakers speak Sanskrit derived languages with loan words from other groups they

interacted with. The Sanskrit speaker settled in Ganges Valley, but you still find Sanskrit speakers brahmins

in other language speaking areas. In South India, there were Dravidian speakers, who may have been

linked with Elamite speakers of Mesopotamia does have Elamite words in their vocabulary. It is quite

possible that Dravidian speakers may have included Harrapan speakers of early era whose speech is

unknown at this time. The written alphabets were perhaps developed with formation of Brahmi, Devangiri

and Khorasani obtained through Greek contacts from Bactria. The spoken language and words were always

there before the writing evolved. Indo- Aryan mixed with Dravidian speakers and other aborigine’s

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dialogues that produced various languages of India with Sanskrit and Tamil as a base. Other than

hypothetical reconstructs, how this process played out and evolved is not clearly understood and

hypothesis are offered by linguistics as an explanation through root word comparison.

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Writing System and Alphabets

Other aspect of affinity deals with Iranian settlement at Susa once ruled by Elamite empire. The large

presence and use of Elamite seals and tablets at Achemenians Royal courts further add credence to the

claim that Aryan writings scripts were developed later due to long held oral tradition. Phoenicians were the

first to develop the alphabets that Greeks learned, and Greeks spread them to other cultures while keeping

spoken language and vocabulary of every group intact. Some hypothesis suggests that Phoenicians were

early habitants of Persian Guelph region prior to their migration to Mediterranean. Rig-Veda mentions Pani

people but who they were is not clearly explained. It is quote possible that Pani was early sea farers and

may be same as Phoenicians. Mycenaean Greeks learned from them and passed on to other Greeks.

Phoenicians Alphabets and Greek Alphabets comparisons

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Brahmi Alphabets(Edicts of Asoka) Devangiri Alphabets( Modern)

Comparative Alphabets and language evolution

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Similarities of Sanskrit and Old Persian Language and Why Sanskrit is considered a mother

language of present Indo- European Languages

Comparative analysis done on root words of Satem and Centum group have shown that Sanskrit was much

closer to Proto IE language based on similarities of root words, discounting influence of other prehistoric

languages. The spoken root words remain unchanged. The old Persian and Sanskrit were awfully close that

Indo-Iranian people can easily communicate with each others. After Achemenians period, of course with

interaction with western group, descendant languages absorbed changes and included loan words from

west Asia. Similarly, Indian Aryans mixed with the natives and Dravidian speakers and various languages of

India were evolved with loan words from other native groups. This spoken language evolution must have

taken place much before with the script development of Prakrit, Magadhi, Vrisni, Vrijji, Pali and other

languages. The modern languages of India show further developments. Several examples are presented

below for comparison of various IE languages.

Satem group above and Centum Group and others below and similarity with mother Sanskrit

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Why Sanskrit is considered mother of Modern languages?

Looking at various comparative analyses of root words that human first learn to speak and similarities

between them, the experts have concluded that Sanskrit was the oldest language around since its birth

and Brahmins of India have preserved that. Below are Satem and Centum group comparisons.

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In above tables, the Sanskrit is compared with other IE languages of both groups and there are many

comparisons out there on the web done by language experts. Among the current languages either from

Latin or Sanskrit group, Sanskrit seem to retain its purity and closeness with Proto IE language that is a

theoretical reconstruct of Proto language of IE people. The uses of key words that are encountered in day

to day life are valid and logical. The grammatical construction and structure organized by Panini makes

Sanskrit a masterpiece language of antiquity. It is also the language of poets and hymn composers that

brings about the imagination at the highest levels. The Vedas, Puranas and other related Sanskrit literature

shows the high degree of spiritual, religious, and philosophical contents about universe, world, matters,

thoughts about afterlife, and man’s relationship to others, the differentiation of good vs. evils and ultimate

“Moksha” or liberation of Saul. The Vedic Sanskrit (3500 – 500 BC) in its time was unique and should be

considered as a gift of God to the men.

The source documents were all composed orally and memorized and then passed down through oral

tradition from generation to generation through Sangha and Shakhas (schools). The oral tradition may

have continued 3000 to 2,000 years before ever being written down into the script form. The oldest

documents are all in poetic form; oldest and most important of all is the Rig Veda (3000- 2000 BC).

Sanskrit vocabulary derived from root syllables, is ideal for constructing new words and definition in any

fields of disciplines like science, mathematics, material structures, health, religion, human society, legal

codes, and even human behaviors including sex. An example of Sanskrit short poem when translated in

English portrays a powerful meaning as shown by the example below:

भवि�त न�ातरवः फलो�गमैः on bearing fruits, trees bend (like a humble person),

नवा�बु�भभू��र�वलि�बनो घनाः with newly gathered water, clouds hang extremely low

अनु�धताः स पु"षाः सम�ृ%ध�भः wealthy good men maintain non-arrogant nature

वभाव एवैषः परोपका�रणाम ्॥ This is the true nature of benevolent persons.

Short but touchy poems with great meaning. Sanskrit continues to be widely used as a ceremonial

language of India on occasion of either religious or social significance. Majority of Hindu, Buddhist and Jains

use priest to officiate the ceremony, who is well versed in hymns. The marriage, housewarming,

worshipping and other important anniversary rituals, the priest recite the hymns and chants in the

Sanskrit. India should make diligent efforts to teach Sanskrit at the primary school levels and enhance its

popularization. Sanskrit is one of the rich languages as if gifted to mankind by God himself.

Interaction of Sanskrit , Old Persian with the influences of other Non-IE languages:

The influence of other languages was dictated by geography and degree of inter-actions. The trade

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contacts often brought the loan words, while physical contacts brought duality or plurality of the languages

that ultimately merged into and created new vocabulary and contributed to new regional languages that

are found in the modern languages of India and Iran. Some examples are clear. The people living in India

experiences, that they understand neighboring state’s languages better than remote states. For example,

Gujarati speak Marathi and Maharashtrians speak Guajarati living in Mumbai or at a state line. Kuchha, a

peninsula island intermittently joined either with sindh or Peninsula of Saurashtra during long tectonic

history experienced the same results. Kuchhi is the hybrid of Sindhi and the language of Saurashtra. The

people from both surrounding states relocated and interacted with each others. During 1000 AD, the

people of Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and Malwa (now part of MP) spoke the same language. Same

stories can be written about present Farsi language of Iran. As Arya travelled through BMAC complex to

various parts of Iran, the resulting language changed over length of time is shown in table below.

language Interaction in Iran

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Language map of India- A case of diversity of tongues with uniform culture

Genetic affinity of Indo-Iranian Aryans

Those ancient population of Indo-Iranian Aryans are long gone and if their origin somewhere in southern

steppe of Russia is accepted or not, the genetist have formulated various models to prove their own

hypothesis that has broad archeological support. They have concluded while comparing admixture of

genes and relative Genetic distance, that those early Aryans had R1A genes, generally found in Northern

Europeans in high frequency. Keeping in mind that Aryans when arrived already had their own admixture

from mixing with other steppe people including Proto-Turk and Hunnic Mongolians. The subclades of R1a

are found in abundance in both in India and Iran with various populations group in varying degree. We also

find the oldest gene H and F that originated in India with prehistoric population and shown to be present in

varying degree with Europeans and other population across the globe. These prehistoric DNA predates

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Aryan’s DNA. Several sources have analyzed the genetic data in context of Aryan debate. The chart below

shows the genetic tree map. R1A and R1B are two marker of all IE groups. R1A is more related to slaves,

Baltic people, and Indo--Iranians. The intensity or dilution shown in the map below indicates mixing with

other groups over the millennia.

Map showing presence of R1A Haplogroup mutation in India and Iran

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There are various studies and refinement out there on Aryan question. As gene pools are diversified and

admixtures of both sides had increased over 5,000 years of history, the genetic distances must have grown.

Dienke’s anthropology’s blog is interesting and provide an alternative insight along with Europedia

analysis. Please follow this link. http://dienekes.blogspot.com/2010/12/solution-to-problem-of-indo-

aryan.html

Dienke had identified Dagestan as an area to consider as a place of origin for Indo- Iranian Aryans.

Dagestan generally falls into general vicinity of Southern Russia and it can be also one of the homelands.

Razib Khan of “Gene Expression Blog” performed another analysis to determine how much of Dagestan

component is present among various Indo-Iranian groups. The results below show that for the modern

Indians population R1A component may vary as shown in Europedia map with stronger number in North

than in south. This can be explained in the context of history. Razib Khan, a geneticist have performed an

analysis on small sample and have offered the following analysis.

Razib Khan’s analysis of select Indo-Iranian group with Dagestan

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Dagestan, Georgia, Azerbaijan areas are probable candidate for Uttara- Kuru region as described in Mahabharata.

The people of Dagestan can be another splintered group of Indo-Iranian Aryans who split away and chosen to stay after splitting

from Arkaim culture. The location and closeness of Dagestan to Arkaim can be shown in map below. Arkaim archeological

complex shows much affinity to Vedic culture.

From Arkaim it rolls along to Caspian Sea (Sanskrit –Kashyap). One branch heads towards Turkey, another branch heads towards

Turkmenistan (BMAC complex & Mount Meru (Merv), another group settles further south (Slavs and Baltic group), Celts, Gauls

move west either through Northern Turkey or Greece to Europe. Some groups settle along the way like Mittani and Dagestani.

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The above map was constructed by the author as a possible route of migration considering new

archeological and genetic discoveries supported by various studies.

Some conclusion and Observation

The science of genetics is helping historians and archeologists the assumption made about prehistoric

people and their migration in absence of textual and archeological evidence. About Aryan people, the

geneticist rules out Anatolian origin as that will be more difficult area to migrate from crossing other

cultures and settled territories. It is also false to assume that either Indian or Iranians reached subcontinent

area as there are no distinction existed in earlier history. There were clans of common ancestry observing

similar culture and religion like Mittani Aryans of the west as per Egyptian’s treaty an Amrana letter.

The Vedic India extended North of Punjab all the way up to Bactria and silk road and in later centuries,

there was large scale displacement through various invasions by Huns, Mongols, Hephthalite, Saka and

Islamic Arabs. The displaced people headed towards Iran and Indian subcontinent.

References:

1. https://www.academia.edu/25583944/Early_Vedic_Schism-Indo-

Iranian_Aryan_Split_and_Rise_of_Zarathustranism_Zoroastrianism_ by Bipin Shah

2.

https://www.academia.edu/19814780/Hyperborean_Vedic_Aryans_and_new_findings_on_related_Arche

ology_and_Genetics by Bipin Shah

3. https://www.academia.edu/7299351/Genetic_History_of_People_of_India by Bipin Shah

4 Iranian Plateau by Barbara Helwing

https://www.academia.edu/1934993/_2012_The_Iranian_Plateau

5. Aryan Immigration by Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi

http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Anthropology/aryans_immigration.htm

6. Archaeologists discover traces of BMAC in Iran from All Empire History Forum,

http://www.allempires.com

7. Aryan Homeland, Airyana Vaeja, in the Avesta. Aryan lands and Zoroasterism, By Eduljee

http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/aryans/airyanavaeja.htm

8. Prehistory of Aryans by Eduljee

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http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/aryans/prehistory.htm

9. The home of Aryans by M. Witzel , Harvard University

10. Aryan Trade and Silk road by Eduljee

http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/aryans/trade.htm

11. Duris of Samos and the Diadochi by Frances Pownall

12. Chronological parameters of the earliest writing system in Iran by Jacob L. Dahl, Cameron A. Petrie

and Daniel T. Potts from ancient Iran and its neighbors

http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/ancient-iran-and-its-neighbours.html

13. 4. Indo-European Languages http://www.danshort.com/ie/iesatem.htm

14. Avestan Alphabets and language http://www.omniglot.com/writing/avestan.htm

15. Two Recent Studies of Indo-Iranian Origins, Diakonoff, Igor M.; Kuz'mina, E. E.; Ivantchik, Askold I,

Journal of the American Oriental Society (American Oriental Society, 1995

16. Whence came the Indo-Aryans, by Kuz'mina, Elena Efimovna (1994), Moscow-translated in English

by J. P. Mallory

17. Indo-Iranian Languages, Mallory, J. P.; Adams, Douglas Q. (1997)

18. In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology, and Myth, Mallory, J. P, London, Thames,

and Hudson

19. The formation of the Aryan branch of Indo-European. Asko Parpola, Archaeology and Language, III:

Artifacts, languages and texts, London, and New York: Rutledge.

20. Indo -Iranians https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Iranians

21. Aryans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryan

22. A solution to the problem of Indo-Aryan origins, http://dienekes.blogspot.com/2010/12/solution-

to-problem-of-indo-aryan.html

23. Selection happens but where, when and why by Razib Khan

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/#.V21C2xIW9-w

24 Indo-Aryans, Dravidians, and waves of admixture (migration?) , Razib Khan of gene expression,

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2013/08/indo-aryans-dravidians-and-waves-of-admixture-

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migration/#.V21DdhIW9-w

25. Indians as hybrids (a.k.a Aryan invasion in the house!) by Razib khan (2009) –Gene expression

http://scienceblogs.com/gnxp/2009/09/24/south-asians-as-a-hybrid-popul/

26. South Asian genetic variation in a glance by Razib khan,

http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2011/06/01/a_map_of_south/

27. Some of the Indo Europeans found? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/12/some-of-

the-indo-europeans-found/#.V21FQhIW9-w

28. Characterizing the genetic differences between two distinct migrant groups from Indo-European and

Dravidian speaking populations in India, Mohammad Ali, Xuanyao Liu, Esakimuthu Nisha Pillai, Peng

Chen, Chiea-Chuen Khor, Rick Twee-Hee Ong and Yik-Ying Teo,

http://bmcgenet.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2156-15-86

29. Tamil Genetics: Abstracts and Summaries, http://www.khazaria.com/genetics/tamils.html

30. Indo-European languages, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-European_languages

31. Common words of Indo-European languages http://www.hinduwebsite.com/general/indoeuro.asp

32. Sanskrit – Mother of European Languages says Prof Dean Brown,

https://mutiny.wordpress.com/2007/02/09/sanskrit-mother-of-european-languages-says-prof-dean-

brown/

33. Al Masudi https://historyofislam.com/contents/the-classical-period/al-masudi/

35. "Mummies of the Tarim Basin" by Mair, V.H.,Archaeology" vol.48, no.2, Mar & Apr 1995, pp.28-35.

36. "Birth of the Chariot", "Archaeology" Anthony, D.W., & Vinogradov, N.B., op. cit., pp.36-41, esp. p.38.

37. "The Origin of the True Chariot", " Litauer, M.A., & Grouwel, J.H., Antiquity" vol.70, No.270, Dec. 1996,

pp.934-939.

38. "Iranians and Greeks in South Russia", Rostovtzeff, M.I., Oxford (1922), p.237.

39. Yamnaya culture spread

https://phys.org/news/2019-09-largest-ever-ancient-dna-illuminates-millennia-south.html

40. In addition to the various maps and exhibits displayed here , some of the data came from open

source web and if I neglected to credit someone unintentionally due to lack of time or recording. I

expressed my gratitude to all others not mentioned in reference section.

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