Essay
Ancient Indian Astronomy and the Aryan Invasion Theory
T.R.S. Prasanna
Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Mumbai - 400076
June 16, 2011
Revised November 4, 2011
Astronomical references in ancient Vedic (Brahmana and Samhita) texts do not support the
Aryan Invasion Theory as proposed by western Sanskrit scholars more than 150 years ago.
We have examined this issue and present a comprehensive analysis relating to the key astronomical references only and find that they consistently lead to 3000 BC, in contrast to
AIT dates to 800 BC. Various shortcomings are highlighted in the process as to the western
Sanskrit scholars‟ interpretations of verses on ekastaka leading to 3000 BC: the references to Phalguna full moon marking new year which could only be dated to 3000 BC (new year at winter solstice) or 1200 AD (new year at spring) and nowhere near 800 BC and other facts. The errors in known methods of observations are also examined and estimated.
Keywords: Ancient Indian astronomy, Ekastaka, Krittika, Rohini, Gnomon, Measurement,
Observation
Appears in the December 2011 issue of the Indian Journal of History of Science, vol.46.4 (2011) p573-610
1. Introduction
Nineteenth century European scholars recognized the close similarities between Sanskrit and European languages, now called Indo-European languages. Based only on this similarity and without any hard evidence [Klostermaier 2007], they proposed the Aryan
Invasion Theory which claimed that Aryan tribes invaded India about 1500 BC. The Ri g
Veda is the oldest text. Later Vedic texts, Samhitas and Brahmanas are dated to 1000-800
BC. AIT has always been controversial and many scholars from the 19th century onwards have opposed it [Bryant 2001, Klostermaier 2007]. AIT continues to be dominant among western Sanskrit scholars and others who rely on their authority. No evidence has been found in 150 years for any
T.R.S. Prasanna
Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Mumbai - 400076
June 16, 2011
Revised November 4, 2011
Astronomical references in ancient Vedic (Brahmana and Samhita) texts do not support the
Aryan Invasion Theory as proposed by western Sanskrit scholars more than 150 years ago.
We have examined this issue and present a comprehensive analysis relating to the key astronomical references only and find that they consistently lead to 3000 BC, in contrast to
AIT dates to 800 BC. Various shortcomings are highlighted in the process as to the western
Sanskrit scholars‟ interpretations of verses on ekastaka leading to 3000 BC: the references to Phalguna full moon marking new year which could only be dated to 3000 BC (new year at winter solstice) or 1200 AD (new year at spring) and nowhere near 800 BC and other facts. The errors in known methods of observations are also examined and estimated.
Keywords: Ancient Indian astronomy, Ekastaka, Krittika, Rohini, Gnomon, Measurement,
Observation
Appears in the December 2011 issue of the Indian Journal of History of Science, vol.46.4 (2011) p573-610
1. Introduction
Nineteenth century European scholars recognized the close similarities between Sanskrit and European languages, now called Indo-European languages. Based only on this similarity and without any hard evidence [Klostermaier 2007], they proposed the Aryan
Invasion Theory which claimed that Aryan tribes invaded India about 1500 BC. The Ri g
Veda is the oldest text. Later Vedic texts, Samhitas and Brahmanas are dated to 1000-800
BC. AIT has always been controversial and many scholars from the 19th century onwards have opposed it [Bryant 2001, Klostermaier 2007]. AIT continues to be dominant among western Sanskrit scholars and others who rely on their authority. No evidence has been found in 150 years for any
References: Verses on ekastaka, KB 19.3 and Mahasivaratri all refer to the same feature, amanta Magha new-moon at winter solstice (3000 BC), making it a very robust conclusion