Which of Us are Aryans? : Rethinking The Concept of Our Origins

Scholars and experts analyze the contentious Aryan issue in India through history, genetics, Vedic scriptures, archaeology, and linguistics. Thapar, Witzel, Menon, Friese, and Khan contribute insights on the origins and progression of the Aryans, challenging current hypotheses and myths.

The question of which of us is Aryan is one of the most contentious in India today. In this eyeopening book, scholars and experts critically examine the Aryan issue by analysing history, genetics, early Vedic scriptures, archaeology andinguistics to test and challenge various hypotheses, myths, facts and theories that are currently in vogue. Romila Thapar tackles the definition of the "Aryan'' in her inimitable style by tracing the origins and progression of the "Aryans'' from old Iranian texts such as the Zend-Avesta, archaeological excavations and colonial interpretations made by Max Müeller. She also touches upon the following fields of enquiry: historiography, archaeology,inguistics, comparative mythology, social anthropology and, more recently, genetics. Michael Witzel investigates the origins of the early "Aryans'' within and outside India. Jaya Menon examines data from excavations of Harappan culture. Kai Frieseucidly explains the Rakhigarhi research which has been talked about aot in the recent past and Razib Khan provides insights arising from research into genetics.