Vedic “Aryans” and the origins of civilization: A literary and scientific perspective

Vedic “Aryans” and the origins of civilization_ arrives at far-reaching conclusions about ancient history and civilization by combining new insights into the meaning of the Vedas and other ancient Indian scriptures with scientific analysis of ancient sources. By systematic comparisons of Indian, Egyptian, and Babylonian science, it shows that Harappan civilization corresponds to that of the Sutric period, which came after the Vedic period. From this, it follows that the Rg Veda is the product of an earlier layer of civilization (before the rise of Egypt, Sumer, and the Indus Valley). As a result, this book argues the currently held view of Mesopotamia as the cradle of civilization is no longer tenable. Another far-reaching consequence of this research is that the “Aryan” invasion of India can be challenged by both science and literature. This book shows that the Aryan-invasion theory is a product of European politics–notably German nationalism and British colonial policy. It provides evidence that the demise of civilization in Sumer, Egypt, and the Indus Valley was brought about by a three-hundred-year drought that began in 2200 BCE. The book also provides an explanation for the distribution of Indo-European langauges from India to Ireland. Based on accounts of migrations found in ancient Indian works, it offers a radically new perspective that no one interested in ancient history can afford to ignore. And much much more …… Book Contents: Foreword by Dr. Klaus K. Klostermaier Preface Chapter 1: Political history of the “Aryan” invasion Chapter 2: The “Aryan” problem in Vedic literature Chapter 3: A chronological synthesis for ancient Indian civilization Chapter 4: Vedic India and the origins of civilization Supplement: The end of Harappa and global climatic changes Notes Appendix 1: Ancient Indian and contemporaneous civilizations: Proposed chornology Appendix 2: Ancient Indian and contemporaneous civilizations: Conventional chronology Glossary References cited Index