Chapter Info (Click Here)
Book No. – 19 (Ancient History)
Book Name – Aryanisation of India (Nripendra Kumar Dutt)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. How the Aryans Entered India
2. Hoernle’s Second Invasion Theory
3. Hoernle’s Theory Supported
4. Hoernle’s Theory Criticised
5. Chanda’s Theory
6. Second Invasion Theory not Necessary
7. Except in Maharashtra
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Coming of the Aryans
Chapter – 2
How the Aryans Entered India
The Indo-Aryans of the Rigvedic age knew little of regions east of the Ganges, which is mentioned only once in the Rig Veda, but they were closely connected with lands west of the Indus.
Rivers such as Kubha (Kabul) and its tributary Suvastu (modern Swat) are mentioned several times, showing familiarity with north-western regions.
Gandhara, situated west of the Indus, was considered an integral part of Rigvedic India.
These references suggest that the Aryans entered India when the lands between the Indus and central Persia were still fertile and well-watered.
Because routes were then favourable, early Aryan groups could migrate in large numbers, bringing their women, families, and cattle with them.
Their movement into Punjab is described as mass immigration, not merely small military invasions.
After entering Punjab, they largely displaced native populations and were able to preserve their blood comparatively pure.
As a result, the people of Punjab were described as fairer, taller, and having physical features closer to certain European races than populations in other parts of India.
It may seem surprising that Punjab, the gateway of India and often exposed to invasions, retained strong Aryan physical characteristics for thousands of years.
This is explained by major climatic changes in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan after the first Aryan migrations.
Rainfall declined, rivers and streams dried up, and formerly fertile lands turned into desert.
Because of these environmental changes, later large-scale tribal migrations through the north-western passes became nearly impossible.
The route remained open mainly to fast-moving military forces in smaller numbers, who could conquer politically but could not greatly alter the racial composition of India.