Rakhigarhi, a significant archaeological site in Haryana, India, is linked to the renowned Indus Valley Civilization, or Harappan Civilization or culture, the earliest culture in the Indian subcontinent. It stands among the three ancient societies of the “Ancient East,” alongside Mesopotamia and Pharaonic Egypt. One of the most crucial sites of this ancient Civilization, the Harappan Civilization, is among the earliest and most sophisticated urban civilizations globally, thriving from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, spanning present-day Iran, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan.
Rakhigarhi, discovered in the 1960s, has undergone extensive excavation, with recent findings dating human remains at the site back approximately 8,000 years, debunking colonized narratives about how outsiders brought civilizational aspects to backward, pagan Hindus. Science proves there was no such movement, and people from India have moved outward, i.e., the basis of the Out of India Theory, stating that Indian residents spread to the broader Indo-European region through a series of migrations.
Initial excavations in the late 1990s revealed evidence of the North Harappan culture dating back to 2500 BC. Subsequent excavations from 2006 to 2013, led by Professor Vasant Shinde, established through DNA tests that this culture could be over 4,000 years old. The latest phase of excavations over the past two years, led by ASI joint director Sanjay Kumar Manjul and Deccan College Pune assistant professor Prabhodh Shirwalkar, pushes back the origin of the Harappan Civilization to 7,000–8,000 years. Genome sequencing of a woman from Rakhigarhi, the largest town in the Harappan excavations, has revealed insights into the Civilization’s origins around five millennia ago. The woman, buried four to five millennia ago, showed genetic markers pointing to an ancestry of ancient Iranians and hunter-gatherers from the Indian subcontinent. This finding was just the beginning; geneticists clarify that this does not imply her ancestors resided in Iran or Southeast Asia; instead, it strongly suggests they lived in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years before her. Other genomic analyses of male skeletal remains result in findings which reveal an absence of the R1a1 genetic marker on the Y-chromosome, commonly associated with the Central Asian ‘steppe’ gene, within the examined DNA samples. This suggests a long-standing ancient Indian presence in the area, challenging previous assumptions about a fictitious Aryan Invasion.
Absence of R1a1 (Aryan gene)
Haplogroup R1a, or haplogroup R-M420, denotes a particular lineage identified within the human Y-chromosome DNA. Its distribution spans a vast geographic expanse in Eurasia, encompassing regions from Scandinavia and Central Europe to Central Asia, southern Siberia, and South Asia. This genetic marker serves as a valuable tool for researchers examining population genetics, facilitating the elucidation of ancestral relationships across diverse geographical domains. The analysis of DNA samples from skeletons discovered at Rakhigarhi revealed the absence of the R1a1 gene or Central Asian “steppe” genes, commonly called the “Aryan gene.” The human skeletons in the burial displayed no signs of palaeopathology, with denture morphology indicating teeth free of infection and the skull and bones in good condition. The absence of cuts and scars suggests a population not subjected to warfare, indicative of a community with comprehensive knowledge systems and access to sophisticated healthcare. The DNA of Rakhigarhi samples matches that of modern-day Indians, affirming cultural continuity for the past 8000 years from Rakhigarhi to the present day, supported by genetic and archaeological data. Despite challenging narratives, scientific evidence – mainly DNA sequencing from Rakhigarhi offers significant evidence about genetic profiles from the ancient Harappan times.
The excavations at Rakhigarhi have also unveiled a significant burial ground with human and animal traps. Artifacts discovered include utensils made of various metals, clay pots, ancient ornaments, and a dinner set. The excavations reveal a vast settlement with large houses, complex kitchens, courtyards, lanes, drainage systems, and houses with two to six bedrooms, as well as material discoveries, including copper and gold jewelry, terracotta toys, earthen pots, and seals, shell bangles, semi-precious stone beads, and a copper mirror. Evidence of the clothing fashion of that era, such as colorful worn pieces of cloth, shawls, and skirts, has also been uncovered.
Rakhigarhi, recognized as one of the five largest townships of the ancient Civilization, holds historical importance, providing insights into urban planning, social organization, and daily life. Archaeologists utilized various methods during the excavation, employing a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the mysteries of this ancient site. DNA sampling, structural remains, and artifacts are crucial in understanding the ancient settlement’s material culture, urban planning, and lifestyle. The expansive site, spanning about 1,361 acres and featuring seven mounds, holds substantial possibilities for additional excavation and exploration, as only a fraction of the site has been explored.
Indian Civilization
Recent genetic revelations from Rakhigarhi challenge the Aryan Invasion Theory, supporting the continuity of populations in India. DNA analysis indicates an independent development of Civilization in India since ancient times. The advocates of the Aryan Invasion Theory have long been defeated, so the latest research comes as yet another nail in the Aryan Invasion coffin. To put it in simplistic terms, the latest science proves that the so-called Aryans who ventured outside their geography were none other than Indians.
Many activists and advocates propose renaming the Harappan Civilization to “Vedic Saraswati Civilization” or “Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization” to reflect better its geographical center on the Saraswati River and its Vedic connections. However, these folks are missing the forest for the trees. What happens when the Narmada River, the Ganga River, the Cauvery River, or the Godavari River discover artifacts? Now is the time to think pan India and understand that the Harappan Civilization, Indus Valley Civilization, and Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization are limited and do not serve the purpose of the proposed name change.
“Indian Civilization” might not sound romantic to the abovementioned advocates, but considering an umbrella term encompassing regions and basins of the Indian subcontinent is a wise way to move forward. It sets a precedent for a pan-Indian identity, creating a north vs. south vs. east vs. west division within India, – which has been a favorite activity of supposed historians and academics, communists, and anti-India cheerleaders in general.
In conclusion, the recent genetic revelations from Rakhigarhi provide substantial scientific evidence disproving the Aryan Invasion Theory and strongly supporting the idea of an independent development of Civilization in India since ancient times. The defeat of proponents of the Aryan Invasion Theory is further solidified by the latest research, affirming that those traditionally labeled as Aryans were indeed indigenous to India. The call for renaming the Harappan Civilization to “Vedic Saraswati Civilization” or “Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization” is acknowledged, but it is crucial to recognize the broader scope of the Civilization. Proposing “Indian Civilization” as an umbrella term is a pragmatic approach that transcends regional divisions and encompasses the vast geographical and cultural diversity within the Indian subcontinent. This move will set a precedent and set the stage for a united pan-Indian civilizational identity, avoiding potential divisions based on geographical distinctions. This forward-thinking perspective encourages a holistic understanding of the rich history and heritage of the entire Indian subcontinent.
References
Bengrut, D. (2023). New evidence suggests Harappan civilisation is 7,000 to 8,000 years old. Hindustan Times, https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/new-evidence-suggests-harappan-civilisation-is-7-000-to-8-000-years-old-101703182904001.html
Das, B. (2019). Where did the Indus Valley people come from? Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/nindia.2019.121
Frawley, D. (2023). Not Harappan Civilisation but Vedic Saraswati Civilisation. Firstpost, https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/not-harappan-civilisation-but-vedic-saraswati-civilisation-13562332.html
Samnati. (2022). Rakhigarhi Village: Will Host The World’s largest Museum of Harappan Culture. Native Planet, https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/a-journey-to-rakhigarhi-tracing-the-origins-of-indus-valley-civilisation-004736.html
Shinde, V., Narasimhan, V. M., Rohland, N., Mallick, S., Mah, M., Lipson, M., … & Reich, D. (2019). An ancient Harappan genome lacks ancestry from steppe pastoralists or Iranian farmers. Cell, 179(3), 729-735.
Shinde, V., Narasimhan, V. M., Rohland, N., Mallick, S., Mah, M., Lipson, M., … & Reich, D. (2019). An ancient Harappan genome lacks ancestry from steppe pastoralists or Iranian farmers. Cell, 179(3), 729-735.
Image derived from Shinde et al. (2019).