GENETIC DEBATE
IN THE CONTEXT OF
THE
INDO- ARYANS
EXPLORING THE NARRATIVES OF
“IMMIGRANTS” THROUGH THE LENS OF
GENETIC STUDIES
DECONSTRUCTING THE FANTASY OF
“SUPERIORITY” AND “SANCTITY OF BLOOD”
THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN HISTORY AND GENETICS
Genetics often assists scholars to link our past with the present. It sheds light on various
aspects laden which are with confusions.
Genetics plays a crucial role in determining the path of migration of various population
groups all over the globe.
It delves into studying the link between us and our ancient predecessors. It streamlines the
conception of evolution and often acts a crucial historical evidence.
THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF GENETICS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF
ARCHAEOLOGY
Mitochondrial DNA – This is inherited through from mother to her daughters and helps us
to trace our matrilineal lineage. It is also known as mtDNA.
Y- chromosomal DNA – This passes through the father to his sons and helps us to trace our
patrilineal lineage.
ESTABLISHED STEREOTYPES IN INDIAN SOCIETY
Caste based hierarchical structures are still embedded in various parts of this sub-continent.
These roots of these discriminations and divisions can be traced back in the tenth Mandala of
the Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda. The specific hymn stated that the Brahmins originated from
the mouth, the kshatriyas originated from the arms, the Vaishyas emerged from the thighs and
the Shudras originated from the feet of the Purusha. This conception evolved in the
Manushamhita (in the Later Vedic Age).
Thus, the foundation stone of caste based violence was laid down.
It should be noted here that in the Rigvedic age, caste was viewed as a occupational group; but
in the Later Vedic age the mentioned hymn was interpreted from a narrow angle and was linked
to once status of birth.
In the present age, the exploiters are attempting to justify these discriminations by distorting
scientific historical evidences.
Thus, we should honestly delve into the study of our origins to counter such poisonous
narratives.
MAIN THREE POPULATION GROUPS IN SOUTH-ASIA
Researchers have proved that three main population groups entered South Asia and
gradually underwent intermixing in due course of time. These groups can be listed as
follows :
Andaman Hunter-Gatherers or Ancient South Asian Hunter-Gatherers : they arrived in
India around 65,000 years ago
Ancient Iranian-related Hunter-Gatherers : they migrated from Iran to this sub-continent
and were a sub-branch of Iranian hunter-gatherers
Steppe Indo-European Population : they migrated from Central Asia.
The graph alongside protrays
the intermixing among
different population groups
THE SPREAD OF STEPPE PASTORALISTS INTO EUROPE AND SOUTH ASIA. THE PIE
CHART REFLECTS THE PROPORTION OF THEIR ANCESTRY .
Andaman Hunter Gatherers + Ancient Iranian-related Hunter-Gatherers
Indus Valley Mixed Population
Around, 3900 years ago, people related to Indus Valley Mixed Population spread towards the Southern part of
the Sub-continent
Indus Valley Mixed Population + Andaman Hunter- Gatherers (a branch)
Ancestral South Indians (ASI)
Around 4,000 years ago, Indo- Europeans started migrating from Central Asian Steppes
People related to Indus Valley Mixed Population + Indo-Europeans
Ancestral North Indians (ANI)
Gradually ASI and ANI intermixed to form majority of present-day Indian population.
THE RAKHIGARGHI PROJECT
In 2012-2016, excavations were carried out at
Rakhigarhi, one of the most important
Harappan sites.
This project was led by Dr. Vasant Shinde
from Deccan College of Post-Graduate and
Research Institute Pune and Niraj Rai.
56 skeletons were excavated from this site
along with a 4,600 years old woman’s
skeleton . The DNA analysis of this sample
revealed that there was no Steppe pastoral
(from people in Central Asia) gene in this
woman.
THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE PROTRAYS AN EXCAVATION AT THE
MATURE HARAPPAN SITE OF RAKHIGARHI AND THE ONE ON THE RIGHT-HAND
SIDE SHOWS HARAPPAN HOUSES INTERSPERSED WITH LATE MEDIEVAL
BURIALS AT RAKHIGARHI, HARYANA.
THE GENESIS OF THE DEBATE
In 2007-2008, a study was undertaken by Harvard Medical School under the guidance of
Prof. David Reich to study the population genetics of Soth Asians including that of the
Indians. This project was collaborated by Lalji Singh and Kumaraswamy Thangaraj
from Hyderabad’s Centre For Cellular And Molecular Biology. This paper was
published only after replacing the term “West Eurasians” with the term “Ancestral North
Indians” thereby diverting focus from the theory of migration.
A study conducted by Partha P. Majumdar from the National Institute of Biomedical
Genomics listed down some population groups under certain categories. These are as
follows :
Indo- Europeans : Kshatriya, Gujarati, Baniya, Bengali Brahmin, Maratha
Dravidian : South Indian Iyer, Paniya
Austro- Asiatic : Santal, Ho, Birhor
Tibeto- Burman : Manipuri, Tripuri, Jamatia
DECONSTRUCTING THE MYTH OF SUPERIOR CASTE
Further researches in this context have proved the absence of any “pure” caste in the
present day since inter- caste marriages at an earlier phase has already led to intense
convergence and assimilation.
This intermixing is visible in the DNA of Indian people from the far South, including the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes such as the Bhil, Chamar and various other such
groups. These analyses indicate that 40% of the DNA profile of the Dalits of Tamil Nadu
are of “Ancient North Indian Mixed Ancestry” and the remaining are of “Ancient South
Indian Ancestry”.
CONCLUSION :
Thus, deeper genetic reseraches should be conducted to smash down the
false and poisonous narratives presented by the ruling Hindutva forces.
We should continue to learn from our past and realise the link between
the past and the present and vehemently protest against such
travestifications of this discipline.