Ganga-Yamuna culture, 3rd millennium BCE, evidence from Sakatpur

July 3, 2017, 6:21 am

≫ Next: How the Left Lost Its Mind -- McKay Coppins. How the Leftists lost their mind -- Meenakshi Jain on Ayodhya Ram Mandir

≪ Previous: Why Al Jazeera is under threat. Why is Qatar defiant?

Copper axes point to an ancient culture story

Mohammad Ali Feb. 28, 2017

Ancient tools: The copper axes, thought to belong to 2000 BC, from Sakatpur.

Archaeologists excited, as discovery may shine light on a 4,000-year-old Ganga-Yamuna culture

Six copper axes and some pieces of pottery discovered in Sakatpur of Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh could point to a separate culture that straddled the Ganga and Yamuna, coinciding with the Indus Valley Civilisation, say archaeologists.

The Archaeological Survey of India is excavating the site at Rampur Maniharan, hoping to discover more artefacts.

In fertile plains

When the Indus Valley civilisation flourished in what is today Punjab, Haryana and parts of Pakistan, a parallel culture is thought to have co-existed in the fertile plains between the Ganga and the Yamuna in western Uttar Pradesh.

The copper axes and pottery sherds found last week may be related to the Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture in the doab (plains) of the two rivers in the late Harappan period, around 2000 BC.

The Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Agra circle) Bhuvan Vikrama, told The Hindu that going by what had been found, it could well be related to the OCP culture. OCP marked the last stage of the North Indian Copper Age.

Found by chance

Workers of a brick kiln in Sakatpur found the axes when they were digging to collect soil. The ASI then sent a team to excavate.

The people who used ochre pottery and their culture are specific to the doab region.

The first remnants of OCP culture were found in Hastinapur, in Meerut district, in 1951 and later in Atranjikhera in Eta district.

Direct evidence

“We are excited because this is the first time we have discovered remnants of the OCP culture directly,” Mr. Vikrama said.

“We have done three days of excavation and found only pottery. Since excavation is a slow process we expect to find more remains like habitat dispositions in the depth of the soil. We are not yet calling it a proper civilisation and terming it only as a culture, because unlike the Harappan civilisation, we still do not know much about OCP culture. But this time we are hopeful that we will unearth interesting details,” he added.

Scholars differ in their interpretation of the nature of OCP culture. Those like V.N. Misra see it as “only a final and impoverished stage of the late-Harappan,” while others view it as completely unrelated to Harappa.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/copper-axes-point-to-an-ancient-culture-story/article17383808.ece

↧

How the Left Lost Its Mind -- McKay Coppins. How the Leftists lost their mind -- Meenakshi Jain on Ayodhya Ram Mandir

July 3, 2017, 7:39 am

≫ Next: Itihāsa of Bhāratam Janam, of Agaria of Rann of Kutch, MP, Chattisgarh & tracing roots to Sarasvati Civilization

≪ Previous: Ganga-Yamuna culture, 3rd millennium BCE, evidence from Sakatpur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQUqxaHFYF4 Case for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya - A talk by Dr. Meenakshi Jain

I pay my humble tributes to Dr. Meenakshi Jain for a breathtaking narrative on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dispute. She exposes the lies of the leftists who are outright fabulists feeding false accounts to disrupt Hindu-Muslim amity.

A video that should be played and heard by every student in every class room and by every Bharatiya in every home.

Dhanyavaadah, Meenakshi Jain ji.

Kalyanaraman

This matches with the account by McKay Coppins on the leftists' lies in America. Read on...

How the Left Lost Its Mind

Polemicists, conspiracists, and outright fabulists are feeding an alternative media landscape—where the implausibility of a claim is no bar to its acceptance.

MCKAY COPPINS
JUL 2, 2017

MCKAY COPPINS is a staff writer at The Atlantic, and the author of The Wilderness, a book about the battle over the future of the Republican Party.

Updated for clarification at 12:15 p.m. ETLast month, Democratic Senator Ed Markey delivered what seemed like an explosive bit of news during an interview with CNN: A grand jury had been impaneled in New York, he said, to investigate the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with Russia. The only problem: It wasn’t true. The precise origins of the rumor are difficult to pin down, but it had been ricocheting around social media for days before Markey’s interview. The story had no reliable sourcing, and not a single credible news outlet touched it—but it had been fervently championed by The Palmer Report, a liberal blog known for peddling conspiracy theories, and by anti-Trump Twitter crusaders like Louise Mensch. Soon enough, prominent people with blue checkmarks by their names were amplifying it with “Big if true”-type Tweets. And by May 11, the story had migrated from the bowels of the internet to the mouth of a United States senator.

After Markey’s office apologized for spreading the unsubstantiated story, there was a mild flurry of articles warning of “fake news” aimed at the left, and then everyone moved on. But the episode jarringly illustrated an under-examined phenomenon in American politics. Over the past two decades, an immense amount of journalistic energy was spent exploring the right-wing media ecosystem—from talk radio, to Fox News, to Breitbart and beyond—and documenting its growing influence on mainstream GOP politics. This turned out to be a worthy and prescient pursuit, and if any doubt remains about that, I’d present “President Donald Trump” as Exhibit A. While serious Republicans in the political class spent years scoffing at the “entertainers” and “provocateurs” on the supposedly powerless fringe, the denizens of the fever swamp were busy taking over the party. But 2017 poses the question: Could the same thing happen on the left? It’s a prospect that deserves more serious attention and debate than it’s gotten this year. The Trump era has given rise to a vast alternative left-wing media infrastructure that operates largely out of the view of casual news consumers, but commands a massive audience and growing influence in liberal America. There are polemical podcasters and partisan click farms; wild-eyed conspiracists and cynical fabulists. Some traffic heavily in rumor and wage campaigns of misinformation; others are merely aggregators and commentators who have carved out a corner of the web for themselves. But taken together, they form a media universe where partisan hysteria is too easily stoked, and fake news can travel at the speed of light.

Before we go on, let me try to quiet the cries of “False equivalence!” before they begin: No, these personalities and publications do not yet wield the same influence in the Democratic Party that their counterparts do in the GOP. But ignoring them would be a mistake. In recent months, some of the most irresponsible actors in this world have proven alarmingly adept at influencing venerated figures of the left—from public intellectuals, to world-famous celebrities, to elected officials. What follows is an attempt to map the topography of the left’s modern alternative media landscape. It is by no means comprehensive, but hopefully it provides a useful start to the kind of exploration and anthropology that’s needed.

Twitter conspiracists

In past political epochs, popular conspiracy theories spread via pamphlets left on windshields, or chain emails forwarded thousands of times. These days, the tinfoil-hat crowd gathers on Twitter. People like Mensch, Claude Taylor, Andrea Chalupa, Eric Garland, and Leah McElrath feed their followers a steady diet of highly provocative speculation, rumor, and innuendo that makes it sound as if Trump’s presidency—and, really, the entire Republican Party—is perpetually on the verge of a spectacular meltdown. The most prolific of the conspiracy-mongers tend to focus on the Russia scandal, weaving a narrative so sensationalistic and complex that it could pass for a Netflix political drama. Theirs is a world where it is acceptable to allege that hundreds of American politicians, journalists, and government officials are actually secret Russian agents; that Andrew Breitbart was murdered by Vladimir Putin; that the Kremlin has “kompromat” on everyone, and oh-by-the-way a presidency-ending sex tape is going to drop any day now.

Writing recently in The New Republic, Sarah Jones identified the popularity of these notorious tweetstormers—some of whom boast followings in the hundreds of thousands—as part of a “disturbing emerging trend” on the left. “Liberals desperate to believe that the right conspiracy will take down Donald Trump promote their own purveyors of fake news,” she wrote.

Hyperpartisan Facebook pages

If Twitter is where liberal conspiracy theories germinate and spread among news junkies, Facebook is where anti-Republican propaganda can go wide. Facebook pages like Occupy Democrats have millions of fans who ensure that every meme, video, and breathless blog post they publish has a good chance at virality. The content plastered across these pages includes standard-issue clickbait (“Trump Just Did Something Awful At His Golf Course”) and hyperbolic headlines (“Queen Elizabeth Just Told Trump To Go F*ck Himself And It Is Perfect”). But these feeds are also studded with straightforwardly fake news. An analysis by BuzzFeed during the frenzied final weeks of the 2016 election found that nearly 20 percent of the stories posted by three extremely popular liberal Facebook pages—Occupy Democrats, The Other 98%, and Addicting Info—were either partly or mostly false. While conservative Facebook pages were even more likely to spread false stories, BuzzFeed’s finding should serve as a red flag for the kind of the news that millions of rank-and-file Democrats are getting on the world’s largest social-media platform.

Blogs and message boards

The roots of the liberal blogosphere can be traced back to the early Bush years, when Markos Moulistas launched the Daily Kos to crusade against “an oppressive and war-crazed administration” and Josh Marshall used Talking Points Memo to take the Senate Majority Leader to task. A decade and a half later, some of the blogs of that era have matured into more professional news sites, like TPM, while others have disappeared. But in 2017, the left has more niche political sites than ever, and in many ways they make up the core of its modern media ecosystem.

Some are relative newcomers to this scene. There is The Palmer Report, the publication of record for anti-Trump conspiracy nuts who don’t care about the credibility of the record; Shareblue, a viral news site that aspires, according to its founder David Brock, to become the “Breitbart of the left”; and Patribotics, home to Mensch’s Russia-related rumormongering. Meanwhile, old-school platforms like Reddit and Daily Kos continue to host freewheeling forums that attract the kind of occasionally enlightening, occasionally deranged conversations that tend to thrive in those environments. And the HuffPost contributor platform—an un-vetted, unedited section of the site that operates apart from its professional journalism—has been a vehicle for some of the most bizarre, and outright craziest, content to go viral on the left in recent years. Just this month, editors were forced to delete a contributor post that began, “Impeachment and removal from office are only the first steps; for America to be redeemed, Donald Trump must be prosecuted for treason and — if convicted in a court of law — executed.” And throughout last year’s primaries, Seth Abramson, a creative writing professor at the University of New Hampshire, used his HuffPostperch to churn out a procession of increasingly delusional blog posts explaining why Bernie Sanders would inevitably win the Democratic nomination. Abramson’s arguments not only denied political realities and delegate math as the race wore on; they often denied basic human logic. But thanks to the hordes of Bernie fans desperately scouring the internet for some hope to cling to, Abramson’s posts consistently went uber-viral. (He eventually wrote a post defending this shameless play for clicks as a form of “experimental journalism” that embraced “the multi-dimensionality of metanarrative.” The Washington Post’s Matt O’Brien responded via Twitter: “Area Academic Writes Barely Comprehensible Defense of Lying.”) These days, Abramson’s main platform is Twitter, where he has over 150,000 followers, and specializes in imminent-indictment stories in the style of criminal complaints.

As with right-wing publishers, the content produced by these liberal sites varies widely in terms of quality, credibility, and good faith. At their best, they can offer the kind of radical viewpoints and unique insights that don’t commonly make it onto the high-profile platforms of mainstream liberalism, like MSNBC or the New York Times op-ed page. At their worst, they serve up shallow partisan affirmation and dishonest propaganda. And rarely do the more responsible publishers in this ecosystem spend time proactively debunking the rumors and falsehoods that are circulating among their audiences.

Podcasts

The constellation of popular podcasts that has emerged on the left serves many of the same functions that right-wing talk-radio hosts served for their audiences in their early days. They provide a mix of commentary, entertainment, and partisan catharsis; a safe space to process the daily onslaught of bad news. The hosts tend not to be household names, but to their listeners they are superstars. The most successful podcasters are able to sell out theaters for live shows, and can even get recognized on the street (in certain zip codes, at least). The nature of the medium—walled off from the web and unplugged from social media—means that even irresponsible podcasts are not innately integral to the spread of sketchy information on the left. Many of the most popular podcasts, including those from the mainstream Democrats of the Crooked Media empire, are careful with their evidence and claims, working to debunk conspiracy theories, and hosting guests with a variety of views. And the gleefully vulgar champions of the “dirtbag left” at Chapo Trap House make a point of mocking the Russia conspiracists. Above all, what they offer their stressed-out listeners is a sense of community (plus plenty of discount codes for Blue Apron and MeUndies).*

VIP Validators

One sign of the potential power in this alternative media universe is the regularity with which stories that originate there end up reaching public figures with real influence and massive followings. These may be people who are relatively unsophisticated when it comes to politics and media, but whose prominence in other fields—academia, history, law, literature—gives them a certain sheen of trustworthiness. So when they share stories from fringe outlets on Twitter or Facebook, many are inclined to take them seriously.

On the “about” page for The Palmer Report, the site thanks a range of well-known people and mainstream media outlets it claims have shared its (dubious) reporting —including Representative Ted Lieu, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, former DNC chair Howard Dean, the actors Mark Ruffalo and Debra Messing, Newsweek, The Oregonian, and an array of MSNBC contributors. Lawrence Tribe, the renowned Harvard scholar of constitutional law, has been an especially active booster for the site, routinely tweeting links to highly questionable, unverified news stories about Trump. Last April, when Jason Chaffetz announced he would resign his House seat, The Palmer Report published an anonymously sourced bombshell claiming the FBI had discovered the Utah congressman was being blackmailed by the Kremlin. The story was characteristic of the site’s well-worn shtick. But that didn’t stop Ned Price, a former special assistant to President Obama, from credulously passing it along on Twitter. “Interesting, if single-sourced, article from a few days ago,” he wrote. Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama, then chimed in, “Too bad nobody flagged this earlier.” When journalists began pressing the duo on why they were sharing a story from a website with such a spotty track record of accuracy, Price’s response was telling. “Every once in a blue moon, the tin hat can fit.”

* This article has been updated to clarify that the podcasts it mentions by name are careful with the evidence and claims they employ.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/liberal-fever-swamps/530736/?utm_source=twb

↧

Itihāsa of Bhāratam Janam, of Agaria of Rann of Kutch, MP, Chattisgarh & tracing roots to Sarasvati Civilization

July 3, 2017, 7:46 pm

≫ Next: Narrative and meta-narrative of Tony Joseph's opus on 'Aryan' Invasion Theory -- Rajeev Srinivasan

≪ Previous: How the Left Lost Its Mind -- McKay Coppins. How the Leftists lost their mind -- Meenakshi Jain on Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Mirror: https://tinyurl.com/wcqntmg

Thanks to Prof. Shrinivas Tilak for introducing me to the ongoing search for Agaria traditions. This search includes the extraordinary investigative work Mazhar Kamran has been doing over the years on the lives and history of Agarias in Bharat.

I am going through the narratives which take us back to the Tin-Bronze Age revolution of 5th millennium BCE and the DongSon-Karen Bronze Drums of the Ancient Far East which is home to the world's largest Tin Belt along the Himalayan rivers: Mekong, Irrawaddy, Salween. A link also can be traced to the stunning early Arsenical-Bronze Age site of Nahal Mishmar with intimations of Indus Script hypertexts on exquisite cire perdue artifacts.

Karen Bronze Drum Kur. mūxā frog. Malt. múqe id. / Cf. Skt. mūkaka- id rebus: mū̃h 'ingot' (Peacock, elephant are also Indus Script hieroglyphs signifying metalwork categories).

Israel, Judean Desert, objects from the Chalcolithic temple in Ein Gedi found at the Cave of the Treasure in Nahal Mishmar, on display at the Israel Museum. कारण्ड [p= 274,3]
m. a sort of duck R. vii , 31 , 21 करण्ड a sort of duck rebus: करडा Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi)

There are Agaria of Madhya Pradesh, also Agariyas in Rann of Kutch who even today produce 70% of the nation's salt --a multi-crore enterprise -- working in the Rann's salt quarries.India today produces 230 m. tonnes of salt per year (about Rs. 5000 per tonne). No wonder, many sites of the civilization have been discovered in Rann of Kutch (Dholavira, Khirasara, Surkotada etc.) and the archaeological exploration work so far has only touched the tip of the iceberg -- there are over 2000 sites (out of 2600+ of the civilization) on the banks of River Sarasvati yet to be fully excavated and documented.

As we journey into the mists of the ancient Sarasvati civilization, we have the evidence of over 8000 epigraphs in Indus Script. They narrate a story of documentation of wealth-creating activities of our ancestor artisans, metal workers, fire-workers.

Surely, the makers of the civilization were ancestors of present-day Agarias and other artisans and seafaring merchants of Eurasia who have toiled for millennia for progress and prosperity, abhyudayam using the resources of the earth and the Indian ocean.

S. Kalyanaraman

"Mazhar Kamran has explored several areas in non-fiction also throughout his career as a filmmaker. He was Director of "Surabhi", a prime time landmark TV series on little known cultural aspects of India. He directed for a popular science TV series, "Turning Point". He has also produced and directed several films commissioned by national institutions in India.

"Based on one of the many indigenous tribes of India- the Agarias, In Search of Agarias is the story of the traditional iron smelters of our country. Produced for FOX History and Entertainment Channel’s Colours of India series and sponsored by Steel Authority of India, the film has Mazhar Kamran as both director and narrator/ presenter. The film revolves around how the world renowned traditional iron smelting knowledge of the Agarias is fast fading with fewer Agarias practicing their traditional occupation and instead turn to metal working or farming to meet their needs. This film is part of the UNESCO Surabhi ‘India Heritage series’."

http://www.mazharkamran.in/documentaries.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDsY6f4b6gs IN SEARCH OF THE AGARIAS. Part 1 Published on Oct 17, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXYuhdf4XE#t=185.593067 (20:49)

Anil Mani IN SEARCH OF THE AGARIAS. Part 2 Published on Oct 17, 2015

The story of the earliest known tribe to smelt Iron in the world. Now a vanishing race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7DjjFEqajU&feature=youtu.be Agaria Tribe in madhyapradesh Published on Jul 31, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW1LO9lKjEk SURVIVORS OF THE RANN- STORY OF AGARIYA.DAT Published on Feb 13, 2012

"The Rann of Kutch is the only place left in the world for this beautiful endangered species of Wild Asses. Once at the near brink of extinction, their numbers are now ranging around five thousand due to community base conservation efforts."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSW1F7t215s Bharat Ek Khoj: The 'tasteless' life of salt workers Published on Jan 28, 2016

"Throughout their lives, members of the Agariya community work tirelessly in the fields of the Rann of Kutch, where they “grow” salt, taking care of almost 75 per cent of the country’s demand. But fulfilling India’s salt needs comes at a price, as the salt pan workers face problems such as abnormally thin legs which become so stiff that even after death, they do not burn in the funeral pyre."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIxuCH4g0Jg Salt-making on India's west coast Published on Nov 29, 2012

"A story about the salt workers of the Rann of Kutch, working under very difficult conditions in India's salt desert, in Gujarat state.

"The Little Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh located in the Western Indian State of Gujarat in India. Far from being known around the world, even most people in India are not aware of its existence. There are no roads in the Rann. To travel here, one has to make ones way through its gigantic mud flats. This salt-bearing wilderness spreads over 5,000 sq kms and is also known as 'Survey Number Zero' because no land survey has been conducted here since the end of British rule in India. Just 600 kms from Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, this land is unknown to most. With its unique geography of a vast desolate landscape, it makes for a very distinct forest without trees. Despite its bleak countryside it is an important ecological terrain for wildlife due to its rich biodiversity. Comprising of thousands of kilometers of barren land, the Little Rann provides a safe haven to a shocking number of local and migratory birds, the endangered wild ass who's only home now is the Little Rann, and other rare and beautiful creatures. The other living creatures found in this arid land are the Agariyas or the Salt Farmers. Surrounded by mounds of tones of white salt crystals, one can easily spot them in the middle of the Rann.

"In the monsoon, the Arabian Sea invades the Gulf of Kutch, blanketing the muddy flatland under knee--deep water for four months hence making it saline. A set of notifications for the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch was issued in 1973 under the Gujarat Wild Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act. This is what sowed the seeds of the present conflict in the Rann. It was proposed that the Sanctuary would take up an area of 4840.899 sq. kms. The second notification came in 1978 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, taking the total area of the sanctuary to 4,953 sq. kms and subsequently covering even more area in The Rann.

"Ever since the sanctuary was declared a bio-reserve, the salt farmers have been asked to vacate their saltpans, as their profession is supposedly a hindrance to the well being of the Sanctuary. Legally speaking, any economic activity inside a bio reserve is also prohibited. The fishermen too have begun facing similar problems. The wild ass has flourished in the Little Rann over the years, say the activists. According to the Gujarat Ecological Education and research Foundation, the population of the wild ass has been increasing gradually since the 1990's and a 2010 survey stated, "There is no human-animal conflict. The salt workers, who have lived here for centuries, have co-existed peacefully with the wildlife".

"Salt farmers cannot establish any legal right over the land which is now included in the Wild Ass Sanctuary, without any official survey or document. This has proved a threat to their livelihood for nearly three decades now. In an endeavor to help the Agariyas, supporting NGO's have dug out a historic 'farmaan' or ordinance issued by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb from the 17th century in which the saltpan workers find a mention.

"For 8 months after the monsoon, the farmers live in the middle of the desert putting up with the chilly cold of the winter and the crippling heat of the summer. The salt they produce is "cultivated salt" which is a painstaking, tiresome process, as compared to the other salt making techniques used around the world today. Why do they continue with this technique? Simply because it is the only method they know. For nearly 600 years their ancestors have been producing salt in this region. Herein lies the exploitation factor: the merchants realize their dependence on this profession, and heavily underpay for months of manual labour in extreme climatic conditions. Barring certain patches, the soil in the Little Rann is terribly saline, and the production of most other crops is nearly impossible."

↧

Narrative and meta-narrative of Tony Joseph's opus on 'Aryan' Invasion Theory -- Rajeev Srinivasan

July 3, 2017, 11:42 pm

≫ Next: Asia’s colossus threatens a tiny state -- Brahma Chellaney. NaMo, India must question China on Tibet.

≪ Previous: Itihāsa of Bhāratam Janam, of Agaria of Rann of Kutch, MP, Chattisgarh & tracing roots to Sarasvati Civilization

http://indiafacts.org/narrative-meta-narrative-tony-josephs-opus-aryan-invasion-theory/

↧

Asia’s colossus threatens a tiny state -- Brahma Chellaney. NaMo, India must question China on Tibet.

July 4, 2017, 4:46 am

≫ Next: Aristotle on the origin of the Jews in India -- Subhash Kak

≪ Previous: Narrative and meta-narrative of Tony Joseph's opus on 'Aryan' Invasion Theory -- Rajeev Srinivasan

Asia’s colossus threatens a tiny state

Brahma Chellaney

BY BRAHMA CHELLANEY

NEW DELHI – Bhutan, one of the world’s smallest nations, has protested that the Asian colossus, China, is chipping away at its territory by building a strategic highway near the Tibet-India-Bhutan trijunction in the Himalayas. Bhutan has security arrangements with India, and the construction has triggered a tense standoff between Chinese and Indian troops at the trijunction, with the Chinese state media warning of the possibility of war.

Bhutan says “China’s construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation” of its agreements with Beijing. China, however, has sought to obscure its aggression by blaming India for the confrontation by not respecting the trijunction points and the boundary between Tibet and the Indian state of Sikkim, which is also contiguous to Bhutan.

In the same way an increasingly muscular China — without firing a single shot — has waged stealth wars to change the status quo in the South and East China seas, it has been making furtive encroachments across its Himalayan frontiers with the intent to expand its control meter by meter, kilometer by kilometer. It has targeted strategic areas.

If its land grab is challenged, China tends to play the victim, including accusing the other side of making a dangerous provocation. And to mask the real issue involved, it chooses to wage a furious propaganda war. Both these elements have vividly been on display in the current troop standoff at the edge of the Chumbi Valley, a Chinese-controlled zone that forms a wedge between Bhutan and Sikkim, and juts out as a dagger against a thin strip of Indian territory known as the Chicken Neck, which connects India’s northeast to the rest of the country.

In recent years, China has been upgrading its military infrastructure and deployments in this highly strategic region so that, in the event of a war, its military blitzkrieg can cut off India from its northeast. Such an invasion would also leave Bhutan completely surrounded and at China’s mercy.

India-Bhutan defense ties

Bhutan, with a population of only 750,000, shares some of its national defense responsibilities with India under a friendship treaty. Indian troops, for example, assist the undersized Royal Bhutan Army in guarding the vulnerable portions of Bhutan’s border with China.

The 2007 Bhutan-India friendship treaty states that the two neighbors “shall cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests.” The 2007 pact — signed after the Himalayan kingdom introduced major political reforms to emerge as the world’s newest democracy — replaced their 1949 treaty under which Bhutan effectively was an Indian protectorate, with one of the clauses stipulating that it would be “guided by” India in its foreign policy.

Recently, after days of rising Sino-Indian tensions at the trijunction, the People’s Liberation Army on June 16 brought in heavy earth-moving equipment and began building a road through Bhutan’s Doklam Plateau, which China claims, including Sinicizing its name as Donglong. Indian troops intervened, leading to scuffles with PLA soldiers, with the ongoing standoff halting work at the 3,000-meter-high construction site.

Significantly, the standoff did not become public until June 26 when China released a complaint against India, just as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was about to begin discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The statement — timed to cast a shadow over the Modi-Trump discussions and to remind Modi of the costs Beijing could impose on India for his pro-U.S. tilt — presented China as the victim by alleging that Indian troops had “intruded” into “China’s Donglong region” and halted a legitimate construction activity. It demanded India withdraw its troops or face retaliation.

This was followed by a frenzied Chinese public-relations blitzkrieg against India designed to obfuscate the real issue — the PLA’s encroachment on Bhutanese territory. Chinese officials and state media fulminated against India over the troop standoff but shied away from even mentioning Bhutan.

It was only after Bhutan’s ambassador to India publicly revealed on June 28 that his country had protested the PLA’s violation of its territorial sovereignty and demanded a return to status quo ante that Beijing finally acknowledged the involvement of a third party in the dispute. The fact that an insecure and apprehensive Bhutan (which has no diplomatic relations with China) took eight days to make public its protest to Beijing played into China’s hands.

China piles on the pressure

The Chinese attacks on India for halting the road construction, meanwhile, are continuing. For example, the Chinese defense ministry spokesperson, alluding to India’s defeat in the 1962 war with China, asked the Indian Army on June 29 to “learn from historical lessons” and to stop “clamoring for war.” India’s defense minister, in response, said the India of today was different from the one in 1962.

The same trijunction was the scene of heavy Sino-Indian military clashes in 1967, barely five years after China’s 1962 trans-Himalayan invasion led to major Indian reverses. But unlike in 1962, the Chinese side suffered far heavier casualties in the 1967 clashes, concentrated at Nathu La and Cho La.

Today, to mount pressure on India, China has cut off Indian pilgrims’ historical access to a mountain-and-lake site in Tibet that is sacred to four faiths: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the indigenous religion of Tibet, Bon. While Manasarovar is the world’s highest freshwater lake at 4,557 meters above sea level, Mount Kailash — the world’s legendary center — is worshipped by believers as the abode of the planet’s father and mother, the gods Shiva and Uma, and as the place where Buddha manifested himself in his super-bliss form. Four important rivers of Asia, including the Indus and the Brahmaputra, originate from around this site.

By arbitrarily halting the pilgrimages, Beijing is reminding New Delhi to review its Tibet policy. India needs to subtly reopen Tibet as an outstanding issue to fend off Chinese pressure. After all, China lays claim to Indian and Bhutanese territories on the basis of alleged Tibetan (not Han Chinese) links to them historically. India must start to question China’s purportedly historical claim to Tibet itself.

More broadly, by waging stealth wars to accomplish political and military objectives, China is turning into a principle source of strategic instability in Asia. The stealth wars include constructing a dispute and then setting in motion a jurisdictional creep through a steady increase in the frequency and duration of Chinese incursions — all with the intent of either establishing military control over a coveted area or pressuring the opponent to cut a deal on its terms.

This strategy of territorial creep is based not on chess, which is centered on securing a decisive victory, but on the ancient Chinese game of go, aimed at steadily making incremental gains by outwitting the opponent through unrelenting attacks on its weak points.

China has long camouflaged offense as defense, in keeping with the ancient theorist Sun Tzu’s advice that all warfare is “based on deception.” Still, the fact that the world’s fourth largest country in area, after Russia, Canada and the United States, is seeking to nibble away at the territory of a tiny nation speaks volumes about China’s aggressive strategy of expansion.

Longtime Japan Times contributor Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and the author of nine books.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/07/04/commentary/world-commentary/asias-colossus-threatens-tiny-state/#.WVt-9IiGPIU

↧

Aristotle on the origin of the Jews in India -- Subhash Kak

July 4, 2017, 6:29 am

≫ Next: Communal riots in Baduria, W. Bengal, Centre rushes paramilitary forces

≪ Previous: Asia’s colossus threatens a tiny state -- Brahma Chellaney. NaMo, India must question China on Tibet.

Aristotle on the Origin of the Jews in India

Subhash Kak

Published 28th March 2017 - 4 Comments

This article is to try to make sense of a puzzling statement of Aristotle (384-322 BCE) that links Jews with India. This statement is recalled in a fragment by Aristotle’s pupil Clearchus who traveled widely and whose inscription on a tomb of a friend is preserved in the Afghan city of Ai-Khanoum.

The Jewish scholar Flavius Josephus (37 – 100 CE) quotes from Clearchus’s fragment in his Contra Apionem [Against Apion], which has Aristotle say: “Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea.” (Book I:22) [1]

I can think of two places that might have been the Calami of Aristotle. The first candidate is the famous port city of Kollam, in Kerala, which was well known to the Phoenicians and Romans, and the second is the ancient city of Kalyani or Kalyan, in Karnataka, which was to later become the capital of one branch of the Chalukya Empire. The second city, which has recently been renamed Basavakalyan, appears to be the older of the two.

The interaction between India and the West during the first millennium BCE is well known as in the mention in Old Testament of trade for ivory, apes and peacocks (1 Kings 10:22). There was thriving bilateral trade between India and Rome both through the overland caravan route and the southern sea route. By the time of Augustus 120 ships set sail every year from Myos Hormos to India. Pliny complains in Historia Naturae 12.41.84, “India, China and the Arabian Peninsula take one hundred million sesterces from our empire per annum at a conservative estimate: that is what our luxuries and women cost us.”

Silk Route in the Ancient World circ. 120 BCE-1450s CE.

India and the West had rich interaction in the second millennium BCE also. This was the time of the Mitanni of Syria, who worshiped Vedic gods. The Mitanni ruled northern Mesopotamia (including Syria) for about 300 years, starting 1600 BCE, out of their capital of Vasukhani. In a treaty between the Hittites and the Mitanni, Indic deities Mitra, Varuṇa, Indra, and Nāsatya (Aśvins) are invoked. Their chief festival was the celebration of viṣuva (solstice) very much like in India. It is not only the kings who had Sanskrit names; a large number of other Sanskrit names have also been unearthed in the records from the area.

Mitanni territory circ. 1400BCE.

The list of the Sanskrit names used in Syria and elsewhere was published by P. E. Dumont of the Johns Hopkins University, in the Journal of American Oriental Society in 1947, and one may see a summary of that in my own book chapter on Akhenaten, Sūrya, and the Ṛgveda, which is available here. [2] The names of the main kings are (with the standard Sanskrit form or meaning inside brackets): The first Mitanni king was Sutarna I (good Sun). He was followed by Baratarna I (Paratarṇa, great Sun); Paraśukṣatra (ruler with axe); Saustatar (Saukṣatra, son of Sukṣatra, the good ruler); Paratarṇa II; Artadama (Ṛtadhāman, abiding in cosmic law); Sutarṇa II; Tushratta (Daśaratha or Tveṣaratha, having ten or fast chariots); and finally Matiwazza (Mativāja, whose wealth is thought), during whose lifetime the Mitanni state became a vassal to Assyria.

It is most interesting that the Mitannis were connected by marriage across several generations to the Egyptian 18th dynasty to which Pharaoh Akhenaten (ruled 1352-1336 BCE according to the mainstream view) belonged. Akhenaten’s second wife was Tadukhipa (“khipa” from the Sanskrit “kṣipā,” night) and she became famous as the queen Kiya (short for Khipa). His first wife was the beautiful Nefertiti, whose bust is available in a museum in Berlin.

Replica bust of Nertiti in the Berlin Museum. CC BY-SA 3.0

Akhenaten (“glory of the Aten”) changed his name to honour Aten (“One god” represented as the solar disk) in his sixth year of rule. Many see Akhenaten as the originator of monotheism by his banishment of all deities except for his chosen one. He has been seen as a precursor to the Old Testament prophets, and thus to the Abrahamic religions. Some Biblical scholars see his H ymn to Aten as the original Psalm 104 of the Old Testament [3].

‘Amehotep IV’ (Akhenaten), found in N. de G. Davies, The Rock Tombs of El Amarna, part VI, ‘The Egypt Exploration Fund’ (London, 1908).

The other possibility is that Akhenaten’s worship of Aten is derived from the Vedic system through the three generations of queens in his family that were from the Mitanni. There are parallels between his hymn and the Sūrya hymns of the Ṛgveda. For example, in both the Sun has absolute power over the lives of animals and men and it provides natural bounties while also residing in the heart of the poet. Note also that Agni is praised as Yahvah in the Ṛgveda 21 times, and Yahweh is the name of the highest divinity in the Old Testament.

If the Vedic element was important, as is perhaps reflected in the mysticism of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the cult of the dead and resurrection remained the most important element of the Egyptian religion. This cult continues to form the cornerstone of the three Abrahamic faiths.

The Vedic presence via the Mitanni in Egypt and the Near East occurs several centuries before the exodus of the Jews. This presence is sure to have left its mark in various customs, traditions, and beliefs. It may be that this encounter explains uncanny similarities in mythology and ritual, such as circumambulation around a rock, the use of a rosary of 108 beads, (or the idea of 33 gods in pre-Abrahamic traditions). These practices are easily understandable within the Vedic system, whereas they are remembered as commandments to be believed without understanding in the Western faiths. [4]

Sigmund Freud in his essay, Moses and Monotheism (1937) proposes that Moses was an Egyptian linked to the court of Akhenaten. In defence of this proposal he argued that the Hebrew word for “Lord,” “Adonai,” becomes “Aten” when the letters are written in Egyptian. [5]

The memory of India’s interaction with Egypt persisted within the Indo-Iranian world. The Iranian scholar Al-Biruni (973-1048), speaking of chariots of war in his book Tarikh Al-Hind, mentions the Greek claim that they were the first to use them and insists they are wrong because the chariots were already invented by Aphrodisios the Hindu, when he ruled over Egypt, about 900 years after the deluge. [6] This reference, which cannot be literally true because of the sheer distance between the two regions, is significant for it preserves the memory of a “Hindu” (Indic-inspired) king of Egypt prior to the Greek state. The reference to the chariots of war of this king (Akhenaten) seems to remember the foreigner warlords Hyksos (literally, ruler of the foreign countries) who ruled Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period just before the New Kingdom to which Akhenaten belonged.

It is not surprising then that the iconic Shiva-Shakti Yantra of the Indian spiritual tradition is identical to the Star of David of the Jews. A picture of the Star of David from the Leningrad Codex with a date of 1008 in its colophon is presented for comparison.

Leningrad Codex: the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew, 1008 CE.

But how could the Indic element be so far from India, in Syria and Egypt? Scholars have suggested that after catastrophic earthquakes, or a long drought that dried up the Sarasvati River around 1900 BCE, there was the abandonment of Harappan cities and great migrations away in all directions [7]. Within India, we see the focus of the Sindhu-Sarasvati culture shift eastwards. To the west, we see the Kassites, a somewhat shadowy aristocracy with Indic names and worshiping Surya and the Maruts, in Western Iran about 1800 BCE. They captured power in Babylon in 1600 BCE, which they were to rule for over 500 years. And then, of course, we have the long line of the Sanskritic Mitanni aristocracy of Syria that we have already spoken about.

Megasthenes (350-290 BCE), the ambassador of Seleucus I to the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra appears to have been aware of the connections between the Indians and the Jews. In the third book of Indica, as available to the Church Father Clement of Alexandria (200 CE), he writes: “All that has been said regarding nature by the ancients is asserted also by philosophers out of Greece, on the one part in India by the Brachmanes, and on the other in Syria by the people called the Jews.” [8]

A thousand years later, the memory of a special link between the Jews and India persisted. Al-Biruni mentions on page 206, vol. 1 of Alberuni’s India by Edward Sachau, that no foreigners excepting the Jews were permitted to enter Kashmir during the period it was under attack by Muslims.

India has its own Jewish communities that are found principally in South India; the oldest of these is that of the Cochin Jews. They believe they are the descendants of traders from Judea who arrived in 562 BCE, with others coming as exiles in 70 CE after the destruction of the Second Temple [9]. It appears that there was migration of communities in both directions.

Cochin Jews, c. 1900. From the 1901-1906 Jewish Encyclopedia.

Bibliography

Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2849
Subhash Kak, ‘Akhenaten, Surya, and the Rgveda’, In G.C. Pande (ed.), A Golden Chain of Civilizations: Indic, Iranic, Semitic, and Hellenic up to C. 600 BCE, Munshiram Manoharlal, 2007. http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/akhena.pdf
Dominic Montserrat, Akhenaten: History, Fantasy and Ancient Egypt, Routledge, 2002.
Subhash Kak, The Wishing Tree, Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, 2015.
Sigmund Freud, Moses and Monotheism, The Hogarth Press, 1939.
Al-Biruni, Tarikh Al-Hind, E.C. Sachau trans., Alberuni’s India, Kegan Paul, London, 1910.
G. Feuerstein, S. Kak, and D. Frawley, In Search of the Cradle of Civilization, Quest Books, 2001.
J.W. McCrindle, Ancient India As Described By Megasthenes And Arrian, Trübner & Co, London, 1877.
Peter Schäfer, The History of the Jews in Antiquity, Routledge, 1995.

YouTube video on ai-Khanoum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tka9TFyWIw

Subhash Kak is Regents Professor and a previous Head of the Computer Science Department at Oklahoma State University, who has made contributions to cryptography, artificial neural networks, and quantum information.

Kak is also notable for his Indological publications on the history of science, the philosophy of science, ancient astronomy, and the history of mathematics. Alan Sokal labeled Kak “one of the leading intellectual luminaries of the Hindu-nationalist diaspora”.

4 thoughts on “Aristotle on the Origin of the Jews in India”

B Thomas says:
Thank you. Wonderful information and a lively perspective.
Thomas from Cochin, South of India.

1st April 2017 at 7:30 am
Asheton says:
That was a very intriguing article

4th April 2017 at 7:39 pm
Gene Pelka says:
Dr. Kak – Thank you for a most interesting article relating the Jews to the Indus Valley civilizations. I am very much looking forward to your book. I do have a question. Hopefully you can clear this up for me. Your article states that many see Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled 1352-1336 BCE according to the mainstream view, as the originator of monotheism, and a precursor to the Old Testament prophets and thus to the Abrahamic religions. However, in his book “A Test of Time”, David M. Rohl (Century Ltd, London) 1995, places the exodus at approximately 1447 B.C., more than a full century prior to Akhenaten’s rein. If Moses did in fact receive the 10 Commandments during the 40 years of desert wandering one would have to recognize that monotheism preceded the rein of Akhenaten. Can you help me with this puzzle. Thank you.

8th April 2017 at 11:22 pm
kikz says:
what strange physical countenance that grouping has… extremely short appendages.. squatmonsteresque.

30th April 2017 at 5:08 pm

Comments are closed.

https://grahamhancock.com/kaks1/

↧

Communal riots in Baduria, W. Bengal, Centre rushes paramilitary forces

July 4, 2017, 7:07 am

≫ Next: Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

≪ Previous: Aristotle on the origin of the Jews in India -- Subhash Kak

Last Published: Tue, Jul 04 2017. 06 31 PM IST

The Telegraph‏ @ttindia 37 minutes ago
Governor cannot remain a mute spectator to the affairs in the state: KN Tripathi. #Bengal #Mamata
3 retweets5 likes
The Telegraph‏ @ttindia 38 minutes ago
Bengal governor denies he said anything to make #Mamata feel insulted, threatened or humiliated.
Mob goes on rampage in Bengal over blasphemous FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat
Police arrested the culprit, a class 11 student, on Sunday night. But it failed to quell the anger of the mob.
KOLKATA Updated: Jul 04, 2017 20:04 IST
Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
Hindustan Times, Kolkata
One of the police vehicles that was burnt by the angry mob in Baduria block of North 24 Paraganas district in West Bengal.
Dozens of shops and houses, and at least six police vehicles, were torched by a mob in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district over the past two days after a class 11 student posted a blasphemous message on Facebook.
The Hindu student was arrested on Sunday night and prohibitory orders clamped, but vandalism continued throughout Monday and Tuesday as the administration did not inform people about the arrest, claimed Quazi Abdur Rahim, the MLA of Baduria, where the incident happened.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee blamed BJP for inciting the violence, and also alleged that the governor Keshari Nath Tripathi had threatened her and said he was acting like a “BJP block president”.
“He telephoned me and threatened me. The governor cannot threaten me. He should know that he is a nominated person. I have told him that you cannot talk to me like that,” the visibly angry CM told reporters in Kolkata.
On the communal violence, she warned leaders of both communities that “I won’t spare anybody fuelling communal clashes”.
“BJP may provoke, but why will you walk into the trap? Those who have destroyed government property will have to pay for it,” she said.
The governor, however, expressed surprise at Mamata’s attitude and language.
“The talks between the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Hon’ble Governor were confidential in nature and none is expected to disclose it,” said a statement issued by the governor’s office, adding that there was nothing in it by which the CM may have “felt insulted, threatened or humiliated”.
“It is proper for the Hon’ble Governor to bring to the notice of the Hon’ble Chief Minister any serious grievance made by any member of public or any serious event happening in the state. The Hon’ble Governor cannot remain a mute spectator of the affairs in the state,” the statement said.
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said the governor can “certainly interfere if there are repeated incidents of violence”.
Efforts to Quell Violence
Angry Muslim mobs set fire to shops and houses belonging to Hindus in Baduria, Swarupnagar and Taki blocks of the district bordering Bangladesh. The car of the additional police superintendent of the district was also attacked on Tuesday.
The Centre rushed 300 paramilitary personnel to the spot, which is about 50 km from Kolkata.
State food minister Jyotipriyo Mullick said he was at the spot tackling the situation whereas the district police superintendent, Bhaskar Mukherjee was not available for comment immediately as he was in a meeting.
MLA Rahim accused the administration of not making any “efforts to spread the news of the arrest”, and said, “Some fundamentalist forces are behind this vandalism. The moment we manage to quell agitation at one place, it starts somewhere else.”
He also said that the central paramilitary forces were deployed late, due to which the situation went out of control.
On Monday morning, All India Sunnat Al Jamayat, a non-political Islamic social welfare trust in the area, appealed to Muslims through social networking sites to refrain from erecting road blockades as it was the day of ulta-Rathyatra.
At many places, the procession, which concludes the nine-day Jagannath yatra, could not take place.
In nearby Basirhat South, Trinamool MLA Dipendu Biswas said they were “maintaining close contact with the people to avoid any untoward incident”.
“We took precautionary measures and managed to avoid clashes and violence in my constituency,” said Rafiqul Islam, MLA of Basirhat North.
“Some people blocked roads in my constituency on Monday and Tuesday. But after much persuasion we managed to lift it,” he said.
Leaders’ reactions
“We demand an all-party meeting an army deployment. The debate on phone call is unwarranted,” twitted CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Mishra.
Union minister Babul Supriyo described the pieces of information coming from the areas as “dangerous facts”.
State BJP secretary Sayantan Basu said there was a total collapse of law and order in Baduria, and called for the immediate deployment of central to protect Hindus there.
On Tuesday afternoon, police prevented BJP state general secretary Debashri Chowdhury from reaching the spot. In protest, BJP workers started a roadblock at the district headquarters Barasat.
Communal Incidents in Bengal
The Baduria clashes are the latest communal incidents in the state. Since October last year, at least 10 districts of West Bengal have seen similar communal incidents which are proving to be a major challenge for the state government.
Riots took places at Kaliachak and Chanchol (Malda district), Jalangi (Murshidabad), Chandannagar and Bhadreshwar (Hooghly), Bhagabanpur (East Midnapore), Kharagpore (West Midnapore), Hajinagar and Kanchrapara (North 24 Parganas), Sankrail and Dhulagarh (Howrah), Katwa, Jamuria and Kanksha (Burdwan).
North 24 Parganas district has the distinction of being the most populous district in the country. According to 2011 census, Muslims constitute 26% of the population.
Incidentally, in May this year, Mamata had told senior police officers that they should beat up anybody who foments communal trouble in the state.
“Don’t see their colour or political affiliation. If anybody dares to foment communal trouble, give him a sound thrashing,” she had said.
(With PTI inputs)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mob-goes-on-rampage-in-bengal-over-blasphemous-fb-post-mamata-alleges-governor-threat/story-iLlMCJgdwcbHycmlwRJS0O.html
Communal violence in West Bengal over ‘objectionable’ Facebook post, Centre rushes paramilitary troops
Communal violence broke out in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Tuesday over a Facebook post prompting Centre to rush 300 paramilitary personnel to the spot to pacify the situation.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/communal-violence-in-west-bengal-following-objectionable-facebook-post-centre-rushes-paramilitary-troops-4735264/
By: Express Web Desk | Kolkata | Updated: July 4, 2017 6:47 pm
scene of communal tension at Baduria (Source: facebook)
Communal violence broke out in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Tuesday over a Facebook post prompting Centre to rush 300 paramilitary personnel to the spot to pacify the situation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that clashes has broken out between two communities in Baduria of the Basirhat sub-division on the basis of a Facebook post.
According to PTI, the clashes were triggered last evening over the Facebook post about a holy site. The PTI sources said that three companies (about 300 personnel) of paramilitary forces were being rushed to the state to assist the local police in containing the situation.
Banerjee has criticised the religious leaders of both the communities of that area and warned them of strict action. However, the Chief Minister feel insulted on Governor’s call regarding this issue, as per her media briefing.
Banerjee accused Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi of threatening her and said that he was acting like a “BJP block president”. “He (Governor) threatened me over phone. The way he spoke taking the side of BJP, I felt insulted. I have told him tha the cannot talk like this,” Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.
“He (the governor) is behaving like a block president of BJP. He should understand that he has been nominated to thepost…,” she said. “He talked big on law and order. I am not here at the mercy of anyone. The way he spoke to me, I once thought of leaving (the chair),” she said.
Meanwhile, the BJP alleged that over 2000 Muslims attacked Hindu families in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal and its offices at several places were set on fire. Accusing the state police of failing to control the situation, party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is also in charge of the state, urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene in the matter.
Several shops have been burnt, houses were ransomed at the places of Baduria, Tentulia, Golabari, and many people of both the communities were attacked, according to media reports. Last night the mob attacked Baduria police station and set ablaze many police vehicles.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/communal-violence-in-west-bengal-following-objectionable-facebook-post-centre-rushes-paramilitary-troops-4735264/

Communal riots in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, Centre rushes paramilitary forces

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says the clashes between members of two communities broke out in Baduria in Basirhat sub-division in North 24 Parganas

Above, the Rapid Action Force personnel patrol amid tightened security in Karnataka. Photo: AFP

h
Above, the Rapid Action Force personnel patrol amid tightened security in Karnataka. Photo: AFP

Kolkata/New Delhi: Communal violence broke out in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal over an “objectionable” post on Facebook, prompting the Centre to rush 300 paramilitary personnel on Tuesday.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in Kolkata that the clashes between members of two communities have broken out in Baduria in Basirhat sub-division of the district over the “objectionable” post.

Official sources in Delhi said the clashes were triggered last evening over the Facebook post about a holy site.

They said three companies (about 300 personnel) of paramilitary forces were being rushed to the state to assist the local police in containing the situation.

First Published: Tue, Jul 04 2017. 05 48 PM IST

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/jMHx87nj7H2Qc1D6ZHw8mO/Communal-riots-in-West-Bengals-North-24-Parganas-Centre-ru.html

↧

Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

July 4, 2017, 5:20 pm

≫ Next: Being realistic - NaMo's open friendship with Israel -- Krishnan Srinivasan

≪ Previous: Communal riots in Baduria, W. Bengal, Centre rushes paramilitary forces

Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

via The Nation, 25 June 2017: A lintel from a Khmer temple will be returned from the US to Thailand where the temple stands.

About 100 local villagers attending a ritual to worship supernatural beings at Praasaat Khao Luon in Sa Kaew’s Ta Phraya district on Sunday were overjoyed to hear that the Khmer temple’s lintel would be returned from the United States.

Source: Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2017/07/04/joy-in-sa-kaew-as-us-museum-agrees-to-return-stone-carving-to-temple/

Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

June 25, 2017 19:01
By The Nation

About 100 local villagers attending a ritual to worship supernatural beings at Praasaat Khao Luon in Sa Kaew’s Ta Phraya district on Sunday were overjoyed to hear that the Khmer temple’s lintel would be returned from the United States.

The ritual held on Sunday was to apologise for intrusion as the Fine Arts Department planned to demolish surrounding structures around the ancient temple in Tambom Thabrat to make way for restoration, along with the 11th-century Sdok Kok Thom Khmer temple in Khok Sung district.

Prasat Khao Lon’s lintel went missing nearly 50 years ago and some visitors last month spotted it as being displayed at an Asian art museum in San Francisco.

As it was announced at the ceremony that the museum would return the artefact, provincial governor Klanarong Pongcharoen said he and fellow residents of Sa Kaew were happy and thankful to related agencies and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha for helping get the national heritage piece back.

He said they would later develop the site as a tourist attraction for culture and history.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319077

THAILAND AIMS TO RECLAIM 133 HISTORICAL ITEMS HELD OVERSEAS

PUBLISHED JUNE 29, 2017 BY SOCLAIMON

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319163

June 26, 2017 18:32
By The Nationailand hopes to reclaim all of its 133 historical items currently in the possession of foreign museums and educational institutions.

The country previously recovered two artefacts from the United States, and looks set to see the return of at least two ancient lintels soon.
“We have had clear evidence that the lintels of Khao Lon and Prasat Nong Hong both belong to us,” Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said recently.
On June 13, a committee was established with a mission of reclaiming Thailand’s historical artefacts from foreign nations.
Among the committee members is Jade Donavanik, who recently informed archaeological officials about the Thai historical objects he had seen overseas.
“I’ve seen some 20 of the missing pieces in some museums in San Francisco in the US,” Jade said.

He brought this subject up casually when he met Vira and Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd on social occasions recently.

https://sootinclaimon.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/thailand-aims-to-reclaim-133-historical-items-held-overseas/

↧

Being realistic - NaMo's open friendship with Israel -- Krishnan Srinivasan

July 5, 2017, 4:14 am

≫ Next: Link of India with Haifa seen in three tin ingots with Indus Script discovered in a shipwreck in Haifa, ca. 2nd millennium BCE

≪ Previous: Joy in Sa Kaew as US museum agrees to return stone carving to temple

Wednesday , July 5 , 2017

Being realistic

- Narendra Modi's open friendship with Israel

Krishnan Srinivasan

The Indian prime minister in New Delhi before leaving for Israel

India and Israel achieved independence in 1947 and 1948 respectively, and both were beset with the problems of partition. India recognized Israel de jure in 1950, but diplomatic relations commenced only in 1992. The Oslo peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the importance of closer relations with the United States of America after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the diminishing sensitivity of the main Indian political parties to Muslim vote-bank politics - all played their part in creating the diplomatic opening. This year, the 25th year of this diplomatic relationship, is being marked by the first visit by our prime minister to that country. The presidents of Israel have been in India twice and its prime minister once, while President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in 2015. Bilateral ties have flourished even in the absence of many high-level exchanges, irrespective of the nature of governments in New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Narendra Modi has met Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at multilateral meetings and their personal chemistry has been good.

Modi had visited Israel as Gujarat's chief minister, and since becoming prime minister in 2014, has made it very clear that he does not subscribe to the previous inhibitions about an open friendship with Israel. While Israel has a population of only around nine million, it is advanced in technology and has more companies listed in the New York Nasdaq technology index than any developing country. This is because it is highly skilled in military-security hardware, recycling, desalination, bio-technology, water management, healthcare, communications, pharmaceuticals and non-conventional energy. These are all relevant for India's development and Indian private and public companies should consider outright purchase, or failing that, investment to access Israeli technology as high priority. A trade agreement has been under negotiation since 2010, and with total trade standing at about $5 billion, India is Israel's seventh biggest trade partner. There is longstanding cooperation between the diamond industries of Israel and Gujarat. In India, under a science and technology agreement, there is joint research in biotechnology, lasers and the human genome, and 15 Israeli agriculture centres have been set up in 10 states. Thousands of tourists travel in both directions each year and there are 70,000 Indian-origin Jews living in Israel.

The most prominent factor in Modi's engagements thus far with West Asia - the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar - has been military-security cooperation, and this aspect is expected to dominate his visit to Israel as well. Neither country has signed the Non-proliferation Treaty, and both have nuclear weapons. Both countries are heavily armed, although for decades, Israel has hardly encountered any external threat. In any case, it can always fall back on guaranteed American protection. Strategic Indian investment in Israel could include defence industries, cyber security and nano-technology. This would be the easiest way to obtain technology transfers, though this will involve some very hard bargaining. There could also be stakes for Indian oil and gas companies in the Mediterranean gas fields off Israel.

India is one of the biggest buyer of Israeli military equipment. Israel was the third international supplier to India to a value of one billion dollars in the 2013-2016 period. India launched satellites for Israel in 2005 and 2009, and perhaps, since 1968, there has been intelligence cooperation. The last aspect, together with joint military exercises, has so far been kept away from the public eye. The new spirit of disclosure might change that, as was shown by the detailed briefing given to the Indian media in early April about arms purchases from Israel. These included Barak 1 and Barak 8 missiles for the army and navy, air defence systems, airborne warning and control systems, drones and anti-tank missiles. Stress was placed on Indian collaboration with Israeli Aerospace Industries and Rafael to develop medium-range surface to air missiles in India, thereby making this a part of the 'Make in India' policy for India's defence industries.

Clearly, there are differences of opinion and nuance in international affairs. Israel has an aversion to Iran bordering on paranoia, on which it makes common cause with Saudi Arabia and some Sunni Gulf sheikhdoms. In Israel's case, this could be a way to divert attention from its perennial Palestine problem, the fragility of its government coalitions, corruption charges against top politicians, including the prime minister, and to make some future claim to a role in any Syrian settlement. India cannot share this view of Tehran being a sponsor of terrorism and instability in West Asia. On the contrary, Iran has paid a greater price in material and manpower in combating the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham than any other nation. Nor can India concur with any agenda for regime change by stealth or by force in Syria. Israel's determination to put down Palestinian resistance with an iron fist earns it few friends in India, whether among the Muslim or the Hindu communities. It is to be hoped that Modi will leave no doubts in Israeli minds regarding India's position on these issues, which are matters of principle.

Modi's stand-alone visit to Israel, in other words, his choice of not travelling to Palestinian-held territories in the West Bank or Gaza, is evidence that New Delhi seeks no role in bringing together the Israelis and Palestinians, in spite of having friendly relations with both - a position sought only recently by President Donald Trump. This is also realistic; many have tried and failed to bridge the chasm of mistrust. This problem is a historical legacy best left to the super-powers, the Jews and their Arab neighbours. A gesture by Modi towards the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas,is not likely to yield any political or economic advantage. An outward show of support for the Palestinians has little traction for India's relations with the Muslim world, or even for the Modi government's connections with the Muslim constituency in India. Modi has shown that he is capable of taking in his stride the expected criticism from the Congress and what remains of the Indian Left, especially as informed critics will know that the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip is not under the authority of Abbas, who has not been able to set foot there since 2005.

The author is a former foreign secretary of India
https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170705/jsp/opinion/story_160148.jsp

Wall falls, friends hug at last

- Decades of wait end as Modi lands in Promised Land

Charu Sudan Kasturi

BIBI AND MERE DOST: Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi lock each other in an embrace during the official ceremony at Ben Gurion airport. (AFP)

Jerusalem, July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today tore down what his Israeli counterpart called the "final walls" dividing India and Israel, his full-throated public embrace of the relationship completing a shift in India's West Asia policy that began in 1992.
With four bear hugs, personal references and an unconcealed thrill, Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised each other and their nations at Ben Gurion airport today, the show merely a starter, officials from both countries told The Telegraph.

"We love India," proclaimed Netanyahu, referring to a country that till the early 1990s explicitly prohibited its citizens from travelling to Israel using the Indian passport. "We view you as kindred spirits in our journey."

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, twice referred to his trip as "path-breaking," and called his unprecedented flight into a country New Delhi considered a pariah till 25 years back a "singular honour".
Later in the evening, Modi took another dramatic step towards dismantling India's complicated legacy with Israel. He agreed to Netanyahu's on-the-spot proposal to visit the tomb of Theodor Herzl, considered the founding father of Zionism.
India had voted in 1975 to declare Zionism "racism" under UN Security Council 3379. Modi's visit to Herzl's tomb amounted to a formal endorsement of Zionism.
Modi's visit to Israel comes after months of careful preparation, and years of waiting. For most of that period, starting with Israel's creation in 1948, India took strongly partisan positions against the country, and alongside Palestinian demands.
Away from the public gaze, India and Israel did cooperate - when New Delhi needed weapons during the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, and when it asked for help in agriculture and water management. But Israel's assistance largely went unrequited - at least in public.
With this visit, India and Israel have made clear that phase is over.
"In 2014, we had decided to tear down the final walls dividing our countries," Netanyahu said, referring to his September 2014 meeting with Modi on the margins of the UN General Assembly summit in New York that year. "It took a meeting of hearts and minds to accomplish that."
Modi is consciously staying away from visiting Palestinian territories like Ramallah, which every previous Indian dignitary and most world leaders who visit Israel also travel to. In his first public comments in Israel, he did not even tangentially refer to the crisis in West Asia, and Palestine's demands for a separate state - a position India officially supports.
Instead, what was on display was clear personal bonding between Modi and Netanyahu, and careful homework by Indian and Israeli officials in preparation for the visit.
Both Modi and Netanyahu repeatedly referred to each other as "my friend". The Indian leader referred to the Israeli Prime Minister by his nickname "Bibi" - almost as though to emphasise their friendship. Netanyahu called Modi " mere dost (my friend)."
Netanyahu's brother Yonatan, an Israel Defence Forces officer, had died on July 4, 1976, during Operation Entebbe, one of the most daring hijack rescue operations in aviation history.
Modi referred to that incident, "exactly 41 years ago" - acknowledging the Netanyahu family's sacrifices, underscoring the common threat of terrorism both countries face, and making clear where India stands on Palestinian attacks against Israel.
"Your heroes are an inspiration for future generations," Modi said. "India applauds your accomplishments."
Sections within India's strategic establishment have long admired Israel's counter-terrorism capabilities, and have even turned to them for help - especially after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Modi, in a political rally after the September 2016 "surgical strikes" against Pakistan-based terrorists, had even compared the Indian Army's actions to Israel's successes.
But Modi's comments today broke with past coyness by India in acknowledging both its respect for Israel's self-defence abilities, and in seeking counter-terrorism cooperation. "Alongside building a partnership for shared economic prosperity, we are also cooperating to secure our societies against common threats such as terrorism," Modi said.
Modi wasn't the only one who had done his homework - on Netanyahu's brother, in his case.
The Israel Prime Minister had clearly been briefed about Modi's love for neat acronyms. Netanyahu unveiled one today, that had Modi smiling. The acronym - "I square T square" - stands for Israeli Technology, Indian Talent, according to Netanyahu.
Later, at the Danziger Flower Farm, Israel announced that it had decided to rename a chrysanthemum "Modi". Modi and Netanyahu then visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, which the Indian Prime Minister said serves as a "mirror to our societies".
"Yad Vashem is a reminder of the unspeakable evil inflicted generations ago," Modi said. "It is also a tribute to your unbreakable spirit to rise above the depths of tragedy, overcome hatred and forge ahead to build a vibrant democratic nation."
Netanyahu also hosted a private dinner for Modi.
Before they entered the dinner, the two leaders spoke again. Netanyahu said he had been "inspired by Prime Minister Modi's enthusiasm for yoga". Netanyahu said he was beginning to practise yoga at a basic level.
"When I turn my head left while performing the talasana (the palm tree pose), the first democracy I will see is India," Netanyahu said. "And when Prime Minister Modi turns his head right while performing the vashishtasana (side-plank pose), the first democracy he will see is Israel."
The relationship, Modi acknowledged, has grown each year since 1992, when the Congress government of P.V. Narasimha Rao established full diplomatic relations with Israel.
But it is under Modi that the relationship has gained the visibility Israel has long sought. Apart from September 2014, Modi and Netanyahu also met in Paris in December 2015 on the margins of the climate change conference there. The two leaders are known to have spoken on the telephone on multiple occasions.
Today, Netanyahu waited half an hour for Modi's plane to land, then took off his sunglasses and stood at the base of the stairs leading up to Air India One - the Indian Prime Minister's official plane.
As Modi descended the stairs, dressed in an off-white suit with a blue pocket handkerchief, Netanyahu extended his arms.
The two embraced and laughed. "It's great," Netanyahu said, the words caught on an Israeli microphone. "It's wonderful."
Modi received a guard of honour at the airport, before the two leaders made brief statements. Before they spoke though, they hugged again. Netanyahu spoke a few words in Hindi - " Aapka bahut, bahut swagat hain, mere dost (You are very, very welcome, my friend)."
Modi started off his comments with the Hebrew greeting "Shalom", adding in the language that "it is great to be here".
Netanyahu has made clear he will accompany Modi through most of the three days the Indian Prime Minister is in Israel. It is a moment Israel has long waited for, he said."We've waited a long time," Netanyahu said. "In fact, we've waited nearly 70 years."

https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170705/jsp/frontpage/story_160296.jsp

↧

Link of India with Haifa seen in three tin ingots with Indus Script discovered in a shipwreck in Haifa, ca. 2nd millennium BCE

July 5, 2017, 5:26 am

≫ Next: Bamboo Mamata's emotional blackmail -- Gov. KN Tripathi explains

≪ Previous: Being realistic - NaMo's open friendship with Israel -- Krishnan Srinivasan

https://tinyurl.com/ybnqkxtz

The monograph demonstrates the readings and meanings of the epigraphs on the three pure tin ingots:
ranku dhatu muh 'tin mineral ingot'

ranku 'antelope', ranku 'liquid measure' rebus: ranku 'tin'
muh 'face' rebus: muh 'ingot'
dATu 'cross' rebus: dhatu 'mineral.

S. Kalyanaraman
Sarasvati Research Center
July 5, 2017

↧

Bamboo Mamata's emotional blackmail -- Gov. KN Tripathi explains

July 5, 2017, 6:44 am

≫ Next: Basirhat riots: Mamata fulminates against Governor -- Sandhya Jain. A fit case for dismissal of Mamata Government and bringing in President's Rule.

≪ Previous: Link of India with Haifa seen in three tin ingots with Indus Script discovered in a shipwreck in Haifa, ca. 2nd millennium BCE

Mamata Banerjee's charges meant to emotionally blackmail people of Bengal, says Governor KN Tripathi

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 5, 2017, 06.33 PM IST

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Wednesday once again strongly denied the allegations levelled by Mamata Banerjee and said the chief minister's charges "amount to insulting and humiliating the governor and his office."

"Mamata Banerjee's allegations against me are baseless, they are meant only to emotionally blackmail the people of West Bengal," the governor said.

"It will be better if Mamata and her colleagues work for better law and order instead of accusing the governor," he said.

On Tuesday, Mamata had accused the governor of threatening and insulting her when the two spoke over the phone.

The Raj Bhavan had issued a strong denial to the charges.

(With inputs from PTI)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mamata-banerjee-emotionally-blackmailing-people-of-west-bengal-says-governor-kn-tripathi/articleshow/59458426.cms?utm_source=toimobile&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=referral

↧

Basirhat riots: Mamata fulminates against Governor -- Sandhya Jain. A fit case for dismissal of Mamata Government and bringing in President's Rule.

July 5, 2017, 4:47 pm

≫ Next: Indus Script hieroglyphs in Ancient Far East Phu Khao Thong & Khao Sam Kaeo artifacts attest Maritime Tin Route of Bronze Age

≪ Previous: Bamboo Mamata's emotional blackmail -- Gov. KN Tripathi explains

Basirhat riots: Mamata fulminates against Governor

Is the Basirhat riot a reflection of Mamata's appeasement politics?

By Sandhya Jain -

July 5, 2017

Is the Basirhat riot a reflection of Mamata's appeasement politics?

Basirhat fast becoming a reflection of a genie let out of the bottle

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s fulminations against Governor Kesrinath Tripathi for performing his constitutional duty and inquiring about the law and order situation in Basirhat town, has drawn national attention to the pathetic state of the Hindu community under her regime.

Local people claim that the mobs were incited by radical Islamist clerics and that Basirhat, which lays on the border with Bangladesh, has seen massive demographic change on account of illegal migration.

Trouble began on Monday, July 3, when a mob, allegedly outraged over a Facebook post by a school-going teenager, attacked a Kali Mandir in Paikpara village in Basirhat town. Though reputed to be a Hindu majority town (78 percent of the population), the rampaging minority community burnt temples, buildings, looted and burnt shops and private homes of Hindus, set police vehicles on fire, blocked roads and assaulted villagers with impunity. They proved so intimidating that the police had to take shelter in the police station, rather than control the mobs.

The violence soon spread to Baduria town where the impugned teenager lived in village Rudrapur. Most of eastern North 24 Parganas district, close to the Bangladesh border, was quickly embroiled in the violent attacks, which encompassed Baduria, Tentulia, Golabari, Bagjora, Keosa, Basirhat, Mogra, Ramchandrapur, Gopalpur and other places.

Trinamool Congress MPs Idris Ali and Imran Khan (founder of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, SIMI) reportedly went to Basirhat, to placate the crowds, who refused to listen. Local people claim that the mobs were incited by radical Islamist clerics and that Basirhat, which lays on the border with Bangladesh, has seen massive demographic change on account of illegal migration.

The Chief Minister, however, did not say one word about the riots, the victims, or the perpetrators, but singled out Governor Tripathi and Hindu Samhati leader Tapan Ghosh for criticism. Ghosh is a well-known human rights crusader who has struggled for years on a shoe-string budget (contributed by admirers of modest means) to provide succor to the besieged Hindu community under the oppressive regimes of the CPM-dominated Left Front and now Trinamool Congress.

In the imbroglio, the last rites of a Hindu could not be performed as the funeral procession at Ramchandrapur was reputedly attacked and the chanting of ‘Hari Naam’ forcibly stopped by violent crowds.

By Tuesday, July 4, according to eyewitness accounts, the police and even the Rapid Action Force became helpless before the organized rampage. In some places, the police were targetted, such as at Baduria Police Station, and many police vehicles were gutted. The overtly communal clashes continued at Tertulia bazar, Gopalpur, Mogra and other places. The Jagannath Rath at Basirhat Kalibari Para was desecrated and two accompanying police personnel injured. There was large scale destruction of Hindu property as Hindus tried to resist the attacks in some places.

Internet services to the entire North 24 Parganas district were suspended on Tuesday to curb further incitement of crowds via WhatsApp and other services. Panicked citizens called the Raj Bhavan and Union Home Ministry for help, but the State Government initially refused to deploy the Central Reserve Police Force, until compelled by an unmanageable situation. It was only the deployment of paramilitary forces in substantial numbers that finally brought the situation under control, and caused the rampaging mobs to begin retreating.

Seven persons have died in the violence so far. In the imbroglio, the last rites of a Hindu could not be performed as the funeral procession at Ramchandrapur was reputedly attacked and the chanting of ‘Hari Naam’ forcibly stopped by violent crowds. The hearse carrying the body was damaged and the bereaved family forced to carry the body on their shoulders. Ambulances ferrying patients to hospitals were stopped and the sick persons forced to get down. It was complete anarchy for nearly two days.

Each mobster was fully aware that even the most permissive regime would not permit such a thing, but the demand was a demonstration of muscular politics.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has since spoken to both the West Bengal Governor and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and urged them to bring the situation under control.

It may be mentioned that the authorities were quick to arrest the boy who allegedly posted the offensive message on Facebook (said to be a cartoon disparaging a shrine, which the boy subsequently deleted), but the enraged Islamists demanded that the offender be handed over to them to stone to death as per the Sharia.

Each mobster was fully aware that even the most permissive regime would not permit such a thing, but the demand was a demonstration of muscular politics. According to some reports, the boy’s house was ransacked and torched and his parents, siblings, cousins and relatives assaulted.

It is shocking that in such a situation of complete failure of authority, the Chief Minister considered it politically prudent to launch a verbal attack on the State Governor at a press conference, complaining that she felt so insulted that she thought of even resigning. This kind of attack on a constitutional functionary is truly astonishing.

Worse, given her consistent failure to protect the Hindu community in incident after incident since the time she assumed office, and her blatant and brazen appeasement of one community to protect her vote-bank, it does not lay in her mouth to attack the office of the Governor when he is trying to provide succour to the besieged citizens of the State.

Banerjee’s attack on Governor Tripathi is reminiscent of the all-India secular brigade’s attack on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan when he tried desperately to protect the small Hindu minority which was attacked, assaulted, and terrorized to quit the state en masse, one of the largest exoduses in history, in a non-war situation. The situation of Bengali Hindus today is no less grim. Perhaps it would have been best if Mamata Banerjee had given in to her hurt feelings and resigned. The nation cannot afford to have her in office much longer.

Sandhya Jain

Sandhya Jain is a writer of political and contemporary affairs. A post graduate in Political Science from the University of Delhi, she is a student of the myriad facets of Indian civilisation. Her published works include Adi Deo Arya Devata. A Panoramic View of Tribal-Hindu Cultural Interface, Rupa, 2004; and Evangelical Intrusions. Tripura: A Case Study, Rupa, 2009. She has contributed to other publications, including a chapter on Jain Dharma in “Why I am a Believer: Personal Reflections on Nine World Religions,” ed. Arvind Sharma, Penguin India, 2009. https://www.pgurus.com/basirhat-riots-mamata-fulminates-governor/

↧

Indus Script hieroglyphs in Ancient Far East Phu Khao Thong & Khao Sam Kaeo artifacts attest Maritime Tin Route of Bronze Age

July 6, 2017, 12:38 am

≫ Next: Royal Govt. of Bhutan Press Release on Chinese violation of agreements in Doklam area

≪ Previous: Basirhat riots: Mamata fulminates against Governor -- Sandhya Jain. A fit case for dismissal of Mamata Government and bringing in President's Rule.

Mirror: https://tinyurl.com/y8b39j49
Further researches are needed to delineate the Ancient Maritime Tin Route mediated by ancient seafaring merchants and artisans of Sarasvati Civilization. There are intimations of contacts between Ancient India and Ancient Far East from ca. 4th millennium BCE with the discovery of bronze-age sites in Ancient Far East (pace Bon Chang and DongSon/Karen Bronze Drums). Remarkable evidence is provided by signifiers of Indus Script hieroglyphs on Ancient Far East artifacts.

After Map 1: Map showing Khao Sam Kaeo on the east coast and the complex of Phu Khao Thong/Bang Kluai Nok on the west coast [Drawing by the Thai-French archaeological mission].in: "The development of coastal polities in the Upper Thai-Malay Peninsula" by Berenice Bellina et al (2014) in: Before Siam: Essays in Art and Archaeology. (pp. 69-89). River Books http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1456831/ Mirror:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263620585_The_Development_of_Coastal_Polities_in_the_Upper_Thai-Malay_Peninsula_in_the_Late_First_Millennium_BCE

https://www.academia.edu/5625561/The_Development_of_Coastal_Polities_in_the_Upper_Thai-Malay_Peninsula

Apart from etched beads which echo Sarasvati Civilization lapidary work, there are 1) ornaments found in Khao Sam Kaeo which signify Indus Script hieroglyphs and 2) potsherd with Indus Script epigraph found in Phu Khao Thong. Indus Script hieroglyphs on the Khao Sam Kaeo ornaments are:

kolmo'rice plant' rebus: kolimi 'smithy, forge'kole.l'temple, smithy, forge'

Dotted circle S. dhāī f. ʻ wisp of fibres added from time to time to a rope that is being twisted ʼ, L. dhāī˜ f. Rebus: dhāˊtu n. ʻsubstance ʼ RV., m. ʻ element ʼ MBh., ʻ metal, mineral, ore (esp. of a red colour)ʼ; dhāū, dhāv m.f. ʻ a partic. soft red stone ʼ(Marathi) धवड (p. 436) [ dhavaḍa ] m (Or धावड) A class or an individual of it. They are smelters of iron (Marathi). Hence, the depiction of a single dotted circle, two dotted circles and three dotted circles (called trefoil) on the robe of the Purifier priest of Mohenjo-daro.

Svastika + 6 dots sattva 'svastika' glyph Rebus: sattu, satavu, satuvu 'pewter' (Kannada) సత్తుతపెల a vessel made of pewter ज&above;स्ति&below; । त्रपुधातुविशेषनिर्मितम् jasth जस्थ । त्रपु m. (sg. dat. jastas जस्तस्), zinc, spelter; pewter.

baṭa 'six' rebus: bhaṭa'furnace' baṭa 'iron'

Round stone + rimless pot goṭā 'round pebble' rebus: goṭā 'laterite, ferrite ore' PLUS bhaṭa 'rimless pot' rebus: bhaṭa 'furnace'

Standard device (Lathe + Portable furnace) sangaḍa, 'lathe-brazier' rebus: sangara 'trade'

Srivatsa ornament with a pair of fish-fins dula 'pair' rebus: dul 'cast metal' PLUS

ayo 'fish' rebus:" aya 'metal, iron' PLUS khambhaṛā 'fin' rebus: kammaṭa 'mint'; hence, ayo kammaṭa'iron mint'

Epigraph on a potsherd of Phu Khao Thong. These are Indus Script hieroglyphs: Hieroglyph: baraḍo = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat‘mixed alloys’ (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi) kanac'corner' rebus: kancu'bronze'

Excerpts from images: After Fig. 1, Hard stone ornament types of productions identified at Khao Sam Kaeo based on morpho-technological criteria [Photographs and drawing by Bérénice Bellina], Source: ibid..

Source: Dr. Berenice Bellina of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France, excavations conducted by the Thai Fine Arts at Phu Khao Thong in Thailand in 2007.
An anthropomorph reported by Curator Naman Ahuja. Image from from The Art Newspaper

The remarkable artifact 30 cm tall, 2 kg., is said to have been found under the foundation of a home in Haryana. It was in display in Brussels and later in Delhi in September 2014.

Boar's head: baḍhia = a castrated boar, a hog; rebus: baḍhi ‘a caste who work both in iron and wood’ baḍhoe‘a carpenter, worker in wood’; badhoria‘expert in working in wood’(Santali) বরাহ barāha'boar'Rebus: bāṛaï 'carpenter' (Bengali) bari 'merchant' barea'merchant' (Santali)

Spread legs: mẽḍhā 'curved horn' meḍḍha 'ram' rebus: meḍ 'iron', meḍh 'metal merchant' karṇika 'spread legs' rebus: karṇika कर्णिक 'steersman'

Young bull: kõda ‘young bull-calf’. Rebus: kũdār ‘turner’; kundana ‘fine gold’ (Kannada). कुन्द [p= 291,2] one of कुबेर's nine treasures (N. of a गुह्यक Gal. ) L. کار کند kār-kund (corrup. of P کار کن) adj. Adroit, clever, experienced. 2. A director, a manager; (Fem.) کار کنده kār-kundaʿh. (Pashto)

Description which appeared in The Art Newspaper reads: “The figure has a cast relief on its chest of a unicorn-like animal, similar to motifs found on seals of the Harappa culture, which thrived until around 1900 BCE.”

A clipped enlargement of the 'inscription' from the photograph of composite anthropomorph

Rim-of-jar hieroglyph: karNIka 'rim of jar' (Samskritam); kanka ‘rim of jar’ (Santali) Rebus: karṇaka‘scribe’ (Skt.) karNI 'supercargo'. rebus: karaṇī 'scribe, supercargo', kañi-āra 'helmsman'.

Three Meluhha glosses denote three types of metal ingots:

1. ḍhālako ‘large ingot’. ढाळ [ ḍhāḷa ] Cast, mould, form (as of metal vessels, trinkets &c.) (Marathi)

2. mũhe 'ingot' mũhã̄ = the quantity of iron produced at one time in a native smelting furnace of the Kolhes.

3. ḍab, ḍhimba, ḍhompo ‘lump (ingot?)’, clot, make a lump or clot, coagulate, fuse, melt together (Santali)

Based on the decipherment of Indus Scipt Corpora in Meluhha language (Proto-Prakritam of Indian sprachbund), it is suggested that

1. ḍhālako ingots were signified by the ox-hide shaped ingots

2. mũhe ingots were signified by the cargo of cast metal out of a furnace

3. ḍab ingots were smaller sized, bun-shaped ingots.

The specification that the ingots were made of alloyed hard metal was signified by hieroglyphs which were shaped like a skeleton-backbone:

Rebus-metonymy layered readings of these hieroglyphs are:

Hieroglyph: karaṁḍa -- m.n. ʻ bone shaped like a bamboo ʼ, karaṁḍuya -- n. ʻ backbone ʼ (Prakrit) Rebus: करडा [karaḍā] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi)

Text 4589 points to the possibility that two distinct glosses are associated with two distinct hieroglyphs

. Orthographically, Sign 47 may signify a 'skeleton' while Sign 48 may signify a 'backbone' or rib cage.

Backbone, rib cage

Sign 48. kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērā ʻmetal workerʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989) Spine, rib-cage: A comparable glyptic representation is on a seal published by Omananda Saraswati. In Pl. 275: Omananda Saraswati 1975. Ancient Seals of Haryana (in Hindi). Rohtak.” (I. Mahadevan, 'Murukan' in the Indus Script, The Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies, March 1999). B.B. Lal, 1960. From Megalithic to the Harappa: Tracing back the graffiti on pottery. Ancient India, No.16, pp. 4-24.

Sign 47: OAw. pāṁjara ʻcage, skeleton ʼ Rebus: pasra 'smithy'.

Sign 48:

Alternative 1: kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērā ʻmetal workerʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989)

Alternative 2: Pk. karaṁḍa -- m.n. ʻ bone shaped like a bamboo ʼ, karaṁḍuya -- n. ʻ backbone ʼ (CDIAL 2670). Rebus: karaḍa 'hard alloy'

Alternative 3: ḍokka bone; ciparta ḍokka rib. Go. ḍogor peṛeka backbone Rebus: Re<doGga>(F),,<DoGga>(B) {N} ``^boat, dugout ^canoe''. P. ḍõgā m., °gī f., ḍõghā m., °ghī f. ʻ a deep boat ʼ

khareḍo = a currycomb (Gujarati) खरारा [ kharārā ] m ( H) A currycomb. 2 Currying a horse. (Marathi) Rebus: करडा [karaḍā] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) kharādī ‘ turner’ (Gujarati)

<reRi>(B) {N} ``^backbone, ^blade of axe, ^slab''. Pl. <-le>; also <reRi siksaG> `backbone'; <reRi-saG> `id.'. @B23090. #32361. <reDi>(F) {NB} ``^spine''. @N48. #31761.

Kh<burondi>(D) {NI} ``^spine''.

Pk. karaṁḍa -- m.n. ʻ bone shaped like a bamboo ʼ, karaṁḍuya -- n. ʻ backbone ʼ. *kaṇṭa3 ʻ backbone, podex, penis ʼ. 2. *kaṇḍa -- . 3. *karaṇḍa -- 4. (Cf. *kāṭa -- 2, *ḍākka -- 2: poss. same as káṇṭa -- 1] 1. Pa. piṭṭhi -- kaṇṭaka -- m. ʻ bone of the spine ʼ; Gy. eur. kanro m. ʻ penis ʼ (or < káṇṭaka -- ); Tir. mar -- kaṇḍḗ ʻ back (of the body) ʼ; S. kaṇḍo m. ʻ back ʼ, L. kaṇḍ f., kaṇḍā m. ʻ backbone ʼ, awāṇ. kaṇḍ, °ḍī ʻ back ʼ; P. kaṇḍ f. ʻ back, pubes ʼ; WPah. bhal. kaṇṭ f. ʻ syphilis ʼ; N. kaṇḍo ʻ buttock, rump, anus ʼ, kaṇḍeulo ʻ small of the back ʼ; B. kã̄ṭ ʻ clitoris ʼ; Or. kaṇṭi ʻ handle of a plough ʼ; H. kã̄ṭā m. ʻ spine ʼ, G. kã̄ṭɔ m., M. kã̄ṭā m.; Si. äṭa -- kaṭuva ʻ bone ʼ, piṭa -- k° ʻ backbone ʼ. 2. Pk. kaṁḍa -- m. ʻ backbone ʼ.(CDIAL 2670) مرکنډئِي mar-kanḏḏaʿī, s.f. (6th) The throat, the windpipe, the gullet. 2. The end of the backbone where the neck joins. Sing. and Pl.(Pushto)

This glyph could be a variant of the glyph (Sign 47) which occurs in the most frequent text sequence in inscriptions of Indus script corpora.

Sign 47 may signify kaśēru rebus: metal worker. Sign 48 may signify भरत bharata n A factitious metal compounded of copper, pewter, tin &c

baraḍo = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat ‘mixed alloys’ (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi).

भरत (p. 603) [ bharata ] n A factitious metal compounded of copper, pewter, tin &c.भरताचें भांडें (p. 603) [ bharatācē mbhāṇḍēṃ ] n A vessel made of the metal भरत. 2 See भरिताचें भांडें.भरती (p. 603) [ bharatī ] a Composed of the metal भरत. (Molesworth Marathi Dictionary).This gloss, bharata is denoted by the hieroglyphs: backbone, ox.

bharatiyo = a caster of metals; a brazier; bharatar, bharatal, bharataḷ = moulded; an article made in a mould; bharata = casting metals in moulds; bharavum = to fill in; to put in; to pour into (Gujarati) bhart = a mixed metal of copper and lead;bhartīyā = a brazier, worker in metal; bhaṭ, bhrāṣṭra = oven, furnace (Sanskrit.)

balad m. ʻox ʼ, gng. bald, (Ku.) barad, id. (Nepali. Tarai) Rebus: bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin (Punjabi)

Seal published by Omananda Saraswati. In Pl. 275: Omananda Saraswati 1975. Ancient Seals of Haryana (in Hindi). Rohtak.

This pictorial motif gets normalized in Indus writing system as a hieroglyph sign: baraḍo = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat‘mixed alloys’ (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi) Tir. mar -- kaṇḍḗ ʻ back (of the body) ʼ; S. kaṇḍo m. ʻ back ʼ, L. kaṇḍ f., kaṇḍā m. ʻ backbone ʼ, awāṇ. kaṇḍ, °ḍī ʻ back ʼH. kã̄ṭā m. ʻ spine ʼ, G. kã̄ṭɔ m., M. kã̄ṭā m.; Pk. kaṁḍa -- m. ʻ backbone ʼ.(CDIAL 2670) Rebus: kaṇḍ ‘fire-altar’ (Santali) The hieroglyph ligature to convey the semantics of ‘bone’ and rebus reading is: ‘four short numeral strokes ligature’ |||| Numeral 4: gaṇḍa'four' Rebus: kaṇḍa'furnace, fire-altar' (Santali)

kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērāʻ metal worker ʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989)Vikalpa: riṛ ‘ridge formed by the backbone’ (Santali); rebus: rīti ‘brass’ (Skt.) Vikalpa: bharaḍo ‘spine’; Rebus: bharan ‘to spread or bring out from a kiln’ (P.) baran, bharat (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin)(P.B.) baraḍo = spine; backbone; the back; baraḍo thābaḍavo = lit. to strike on the backbone or back; hence, to encourage; baraḍo bhāre thato = lit. to have a painful backbone, i.e. to do something which will call for a severe beating (G.lex.)

baraḍo = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat ‘mixed alloys’ (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi).

goṭi, ‘silver, laterite’ are denoted by goṭa, ‘seed’ hieroglyph.

A pair of 'lozenges infixed with spots or notches' together with a skeleton-backbone hieroglyph:

Text 5265 S. ḍ̠aḇo m. ʻ a kind of dot ʼ; P. ḍabb m. ʻ spot ʼ Rebus: ḍab 'small bun-shaped ingot'; dula 'pair' Rebus: dul 'cast metal' Thus, the pair signifies dul ḍ̠aḇ 'cast ingot'

In the following examle, the orthography displays a 'spot' within the lozenge-shaped pair, reinforcing the semantics: dul ḍ̠aḇ 'cast ingot'

Copper tablet (H2000-4498/9889-01) with raised script found in Trench 43. Harappa. (Source: Slide 351. harappa.com) Eight such tablets have been found (HARP, 2005); these were recovered from circular platforms. This example of a uniquely scripted tablet with raised Indus script glyphs shows that copper tablets were also used in Harappa, while hundreds of copper tablets with indus script inscriptions were found in Mohenjo-daro. See also:http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.com/2011/11/decoding-longest-inscription-of-indus.html The copper tablet with raised script contains a 'backbone' glyph; decoding: kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērāʻ metal worker ʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989)mũhã̄ = the quantity of iron produced at one time in a native smelting furnace of the Kolhes; iron produced by the Kolhes and formed like a four-cornered piece a little pointed at each end (Santali).

Glyph (Middle glyph of the three-glyph inscription): Sign 48: kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērāʻ metal worker ʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989) L. awāṇ. kasērā ʻ metal worker ʼ, P. kaserā m. ʻ worker in pewter ʼ (both ← E with -- s -- ); N. kasero ʻ maker of brass pots ʼ; Bi. H. kaserā m. ʻ worker in pewter ʼ. (CDIAL 2988) கசம்¹ kacam , n. cf. ayas. (அக. நி.) 1. Iron; இரும்பு. 2. Mineral fossil; தாதுப்பொருள் (Tamil) N. kasār ʻ maker of brass pots ʼ; A. kãhār ʻ worker in bell -- metal ʼ; B. kã̄sāri ʻ pewterer, brazier, coppersmith ʼ, Or. kãsārī; H. kasārī m. ʻ maker of brass pots ʼ; G.kãsārɔ, kas m. ʻ coppersmith ʼ; M. kã̄sār, kās m. ʻ worker in white metal ʼ, kāsārḍā m. ʻ contemptuous term for the same ʼ. (CDIAL 2989)

Other two glyphs of the copper tablets: 'rim-of-jar' + 'oval + inlaid 'short stroke'. kaṇḍa kanka 'rim of jar' (Santali); rebus: furnace scribe (account). kaṇḍa kanka may be a dimunitive form of *kan-khār ‘copper smith’ comparable to the cognate gloss: kaṉṉār ‘coppersmiths, blacksmiths’ (Tamil) If so, kaṇḍa kan-khār connotes: ‘copper-smith furnace.’kaṇḍa ‘fire-altar (Santali); kan ‘copper’ (Ta.) Glyph 'inlaid short stroke in oval' may connote an ingot. ḍhālako = a large metal ingot (G.) ḍhālakī = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (G.)

Thus the inscription of the copper tablet with inscription in raised script (bas relief) is decoded as: furnace account (scribe), maker of brass pots, (bronze) ingots: ḍhālako kasērā kaṇḍa kanka lit. ingot, brass worker, furnace account (scribe). A third glyph on these tablets is an oval (variant 'rhombus') sign -- like a metal ingot -- and is ligatured with an infixed sloping stroke: ḍhāḷiyum = adj. sloping, inclining (G.) The ligatured glyph is read rebus as: ḍhālako = a large metal ingot (G.) ḍhālakī = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (G.)

dula 'pair' (Kashmiri); rebus: dul 'cast (metal)'(Santali)

A pair of ḍhālako shown on the seal impression on a pot (Mohenjodaro. Text 2937) may connote dul ḍhālako ‘cast metal ingot’.

Harappa. Prism tablet. H94-2177/4999-01: Molded faience tablet, Period 3B/3C. Rebus reading:

Two 'ingot' hieroglyphs: dul ḍ̠aḇ 'cast ingot'

'Backbone' hieroglyph:karaṁḍa ʻbackboneʼ Rebus: karaḍa 'hard alloy'

'crocodile' hieroglyph: kāru 'crocodile' (Telugu) Rebus: kāruvu 'artisan' (Telugu) khār 'blacksmith' (Kashmiri)

'two' hieroglyph + 'rimless pot' hieroglyph: dula 'two' Rebus: dul 'cast metal' + baTa 'rimless pot' Rebus: baTa 'furnace'. Thus metal-casting furnace.

The text of the inscription on this prism tablet of Harappa includes the most frequently occurring three-sign sequence in the entire Indus Script Corpora is shown on a Harappa tablet reproduced below:

Rebus reading of the most frequently occurring three-sign sequence in the entire Indus Script Corpora: karaṁḍa ʻbackboneʼ Rebus: karaḍa 'hard alloy' PLUS

kanka, karṇaka‘rim of jar’ Rebus: karṇaka ‘accountscribe’.

kārṇī m. ʻsuper cargo of a ship ʼ(Marathi) PLUS

khareḍo = a currycomb (Gujarati) खरारा [ kharārā ] m ( H) A currycomb. 2 Currying a horse. (Marathi) Rebus: 1. करडा [karaḍā] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) 2. kharādī‘ turner’ (Gujarati) करड्याची अवटी karaḍyācī avaṭī f An implement of the goldsmith. A stamp for forming the bars or raised lines called करडा. It is channeled or grooved with (or without) little cavities.

करडा karaḍā m The arrangement of bars or embossed lines (plain or fretted with little knobs) raised upon a तार of gold by pressing and driving it upon the अवटी or grooved stamp. Such तार is used for the ornament बुगडी, for the hilt of a पट्टा or other sword &c. Applied also to any similar barform or line-form arrangement (pectination) whether embossed or indented; as the edging of a rupee &c. (Marathi)

This reading assumes that the 'currycomb' hieroglyph is an allograph for 'backbone' hieroglyph. An alternative reading is: G. kã̄gsī f. ʻcombʼRebus: kamsa 'bronze, bell-metal'.

Royal Govt. of Bhutan Press Release on Chinese violation of agreements in Doklam area

July 6, 2017, 3:09 am

≫ Next: Genetics are continually giving archaeologists surprises -- Mallory

≪ Previous: Indus Script hieroglyphs in Ancient Far East Phu Khao Thong & Khao Sam Kaeo artifacts attest Maritime Tin Route of Bronze Age

Press Release

mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html

In view of the many queries raised recently in the media regarding the Bhutan – China boundary in the Doklam area the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to convey the following:

On 16^th June 2017, the Chinese Army started constructing a motorable road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri.

Boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and we have written agreements of 1988 and 1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquility in their border areas pending a final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959. The agreements also state that the two sides will refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of force, to change the status quo of the boundary.

Bhutan has conveyed to the Chinese side, both on the ground and through the diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between our two countries.

Bhutan hopes that the status quo in the Doklam area will be maintained as before 16 June 2017.

http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html

↧

Genetics are continually giving archaeologists surprises -- Mallory

July 6, 2017, 6:43 am

≫ Next: Indus Script hieroglyphs in Ancient Far East Phu Khao Thong & Khao Sam Kaeo artifacts attest Maritime Tin Route of Bronze Age

≪ Previous: Royal Govt. of Bhutan Press Release on Chinese violation of agreements in Doklam area

Aryan Invasion May Have Transformed India's Bronze-Age Population

By Tia Ghose, Senior Writer | July 6, 2017 07:38am ET

Aryan Invasion May Have Transformed India's Bronze-Age Population By Tia Ghose, Senior Writer | July 6, 2017 07:38am ET

Credit: Shutterstock

An influx of men from the steppe of Central Asia may have swept into India around 3,500 years ago and transformed the population.

The same mysterious people — ancient livestock herders called the Yamnaya who rode wheeled chariots and spoke a proto-Indo-European language — also moved across Europe more than 1,000 years earlier. Somehow, they left their genetic signature with most European men, but not women, earlier studies suggest.

The new data confirm a long-held but controversial theory that Sanskrit, the ancient language of Northern India, emerged from an earlier language spoken by an influx of people from Central Asia during the Bronze Age. [24 Amazing Archaeological Discoveries]

"People have been debating the arrival of the Indo-European languages in India for hundreds of years," said study co-author Martin Richards, an archaeogeneticist at the University of Huddersfield in England. "There's been a very long-running debate about whether the Indo-European languages were brought from migrations from outside, which is what most linguists would accept, or if they evolved indigenously."

Aryan invasion theory

From the earliest days of colonial rule in India, linguists like William Jones and Jakob Grimm (who co-edited "Grimm's Fairy Tales") noticed that Sanskrit shared many similarities with languages as disparate as French, English, Farsi (or Persian) and Russian. Linguists eventually arrived at the conclusion that all these languages derived from a common ancestral language, which they dubbed Indo-European.

But while North Indian languages are predominantly Indo-European, South Indian languages mostly belong to the Dravidian language family. To explain this, scholars proposed the so-called Aryan invasion theory — that a group of people from outside India swept in and brought a proto-Sanskrit language to northern India. (The name "Aryans" came from a Sanskrit word for "noble" or "honorable.") In the early 1900s, British archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler proposed that these Aryan people may have conquered, and caused the collapse of, the mysterious Indus Valley Civilization that flourished in what is now India and Pakistan.

The Aryan migration theory eventually became controversial because it was used to justify claims of superiority for different Indian subgroups; was claimed as the basis for the caste system; and in a bastardized form, was incorporated into Nazi ideology that the Aryans were the "master race."

What's more, earlier genetic data did not seem to corroborate the notion of a dramatic Aryan influx into India during the Bronze Age, according to a 2003 study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Complex migration patterns

But past genetic analyses were based on either DNA from mitochondria, which is passed from mothers to daughters, or from genetic mutations found in nuclear DNA, which are inherited from both parents but can be difficult to date.

In the current study, which was reported in March in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, Richards and colleagues analyzed modern genetic data from mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome DNA — which is passed only from father to son — and nuclear DNA. By tying all these pieces of data together, the team was able to tie patterns of migration to specific points in time.

The team found evidence that people began colonizing India more than 50,000 years ago and that there were multiple waves of migration into India from the northwest over the last 20,000 years, including waves of people from Anatolia, the Caucasus and Iran between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago.

But evidence for one migration was particularly striking: The genetic makeup of the Y chromosome dramatically shifted about 4,000 to 3,800 years ago, the study found. About 17.5 percent of Indian men carry a Y-chromosome subtype, or haplogroup, known as R1, with the haplogroup more dominant in men in the north compared to the south of India.

This new finding points to an ancient group of people who inhabited the grassland between the Caspian and Black seas from about 5,000 to 2,300 years ago, known broadly as the Yamnaya people. The Yamnaya (and its later subgroup, the Andronovo culture) typically buried their dead in pit graves, drove wheeled horse chariots, herded livestock and spoke an early precursor Indo-European language. About 5,000 years ago, people from this culture almost completely transformed the genetic landscape of Europe, a 2015 Science study suggests.

The genetic signature of the Yamnaya people shows up strongly in the male lineage, but hardly at all in the female lineage, the study found.

One possibility is that a group of horse-riding warriors swept across India, murdered the men and raped or took local women as wives, but not all explanations are that martial, Richards said. For instance, it's possible that whole family units from the Yamnaya migrated to India, but that the men were either able to acquire (or started out with) higher status than local males and thus sired more children with local women, Richards said.

"It's very easy for Y-chromosome composition to change very quickly," Richards told Live Science. "Just because individual men can have a lot more children than women can."

The shift wasn't as dramatic as the genetic transformation of Europe; while up to 90 percent of European men from some countries carry a version of R1, only a minority of men from the Indian subcontinent do, Richards said.

"It's not like a complete wipeout by any means," Richards said.

Remaining questions

The study has a limitation: Because the very hot conditions in India don't preserve DNA well, the group lacks ancient DNA to prove that ancient migrants to the region carried the R1 haplogroup, said James Mallory, an archaeologist at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland, who was not involved in the study.

"They're trying to read the history of a people through its modern DNA," Mallory told Live Science. In the past, similarly well-grounded theories have been disproven once people sampled ancient skeletal remains, Mallory added.

The other problem is that there is very little archaeological evidence for a dramatic cultural transformation in India at that time, he added. The Andronovo left behind distinctive artifacts and evidence of their culture in other places, such as their pit burials and unique pottery.

But in India, "We do not really find evidence for these particular cultures," Mallory said.

On the other hand, population studies of the Irish have revealed almost 90 percent of men carry an R1 haplogroup, and yet there's also very little archaeological evidence of a cultural transformation consistent with huge population turnover, he added. So it may simply be that genetics are revealing a lost history of people in the area.

"The genetics are continually giving archaeologists surprises," Mallory said.

Originally published on Live Science.

https://www.livescience.com/59703-north-india-populated-by-central-asian-invaders.html

↧

Indus Script hieroglyphs in Ancient Far East Phu Khao Thong & Khao Sam Kaeo artifacts attest Maritime Tin Route of Bronze Age

July 6, 2017, 2:44 pm

≫ Next: Takeo bronze statue. Yen Bai bronze casting moulds. Bronze workshop, Angkor

≪ Previous: Genetics are continually giving archaeologists surprises -- Mallory

Mirror: https://tinyurl.com/y8b39j49

Further researches are needed to delineate the Ancient Maritime Tin Route mediated by ancient seafaring merchants and artisans of Sarasvati Civilization. There are intimations of contacts between Ancient India and Ancient Far East from ca. 4th millennium BCE with the discovery of bronze-age sites in Ancient Far East (pace Bon Chang and DongSon/Karen Bronze Drums). Remarkable evidence is provided by signifiers of Indus Script hieroglyphs on Ancient Far East artifacts.

After Map 1: Map showing Khao Sam Kaeo on the east coast and the complex of Phu Khao Thong/Bang Kluai Nok on the west coast [Drawing by the Thai-French archaeological mission].in: "The development of coastal polities in the Upper Thai-Malay Peninsula" by Berenice Bellina et al (2014) in: Before Siam: Essays in Art and Archaeology. (pp. 69-89). River Books http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1456831/ Mirror:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263620585_The_Development_of_Coastal_Polities_in_the_Upper_Thai-Malay_Peninsula_in_the_Late_First_Millennium_BCE

https://www.academia.edu/5625561/The_Development_of_Coastal_Polities_in_the_Upper_Thai-Malay_Peninsula

Source: Dr. Berenice Bellina of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France, excavations conducted by the Thai Fine Arts at Phu Khao Thong in Thailand in 2007.

An anthropomorph reported by Curator Naman Ahuja. Image from from The Art Newspaper

The remarkable artifact 30 cm tall, 2 kg., is said to have been found under the foundation of a home in Haryana. It was in display in Brussels and later in Delhi in September 2014.

A clipped enlargement of the 'inscription' from the photograph of composite anthropomorph

Hieroglyph: baraḍo = spine; backbone (Tulu) Rebus: baran, bharat ‘mixed alloys’ (5 copper, 4 zinc and 1 tin) (Punjabi)

Rim-of-jar hieroglyph: karNIka 'rim of jar' (Samskritam); kanka ‘rim of jar’ (Santali) Rebus: karṇaka‘scribe’ (Skt.) Alternative: khanaka ‘mineworker’ (Sanskrit) Rebus: karNI 'supercargo'.

Three Meluhha glosses denote three types of metal ingots:

1. ḍhālako ‘large ingot’. ढाळ [ ḍhāḷa ] Cast, mould, form (as of metal vessels, trinkets &c.) (Marathi)

2. mũhe 'ingot' mũhã̄ = the quantity of iron produced at one time in a native smelting furnace of the Kolhes.

3. ḍab, ḍhimba, ḍhompo ‘lump (ingot?)’, clot, make a lump or clot, coagulate, fuse, melt together (Santali)

Based on the decipherment of Indus Scipt Corpora in Meluhha language (Proto-Prakritam of Indian sprachbund), it is suggested that

1. ḍhālako ingots were signified by the ox-hide shaped ingots

2. mũhe ingots were signified by the cargo of cast metal out of a furnace

3. ḍab ingots were smaller sized, bun-shaped ingots.

The specification that the ingots were made of alloyed hard metal was signified by hieroglyphs which were shaped like a skeleton-backbone:

Rebus-metonymy layered readings of these hieroglyphs are:

Hieroglyph: karaṁḍa -- m.n. ʻ bone shaped like a bamboo ʼ, karaṁḍuya -- n. ʻ backbone ʼ (Prakrit) Rebus: करडा [karaḍā] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi)

Text 4589 points to the possibility that two distinct glosses are associated with two distinct hieroglyphs

. Orthographically, Sign 47 may signify a 'skeleton' while Sign 48 may signify a 'backbone' or rib cage.

Backbone, rib cage

Sign 47: OAw. pāṁjara ʻcage, skeleton ʼ Rebus: pasra 'smithy'.

Sign 48:

Alternative 1: kaśēru ‘the backbone’ (Bengali. Skt.); kaśēruka id. (Skt.) Rebus: kasērā ʻmetal workerʼ (Lahnda)(CDIAL 2988, 2989)

Alternative 2: Pk. karaṁḍa -- m.n. ʻ bone shaped like a bamboo ʼ, karaṁḍuya -- n. ʻ backbone ʼ (CDIAL 2670). Rebus: karaḍa 'hard alloy'

Alternative 3: ḍokka bone; ciparta ḍokka rib. Go. ḍogor peṛeka backbone Rebus: Re<doGga>(F),,<DoGga>(B) {N} ``^boat, dugout ^canoe''. P. ḍõgā m.,

°gī f., ḍõghā m., °ghī f. ʻ a deep boat ʼ