varna and jati

[Swaminathan Madhuresan]

> But the at the same time, the heraldic colours
> have been transferred to physical characteristics. Therefore, it is possible
> that the heraldic colours on a secondary basis may have been associated with
> certain phenotypes. However, this is not very likely. As Bernard Sergent
> shows in his recent book, Genese de l'Inde, there must have been a not
> inconsiderable influence from the pre-Aryan (Harappan) culture on the Aryan
> sacrifice. This would indicate that the Aryans on arrival in North India
> made alliances at all social levels, and that they coopted people at the
> higher levels of society. This strategy of cooption was apparently pursued
> all over India, with the result that there are lots of quite dark brahmins.
> It is also found in other Indo-European areas. Therefore, if varna is
> associated with skin colour at all, it is so only secondarily.

 Sounds much like what Madhav Deshpande has wriitten over the years;
Also, the recent Indological postings by Palaniappan on potter-priest
alliances/cooptions.

Is the pre-Aryan (Harappan) culture's influence on the Aryan
sacrifice expressed through the mahAvedis of agnicayana ritual?
There is no word for brick in RV and IVC is full of them;
This contrast declines after a few centuries. Eg., Mahavedis.

So, can the ShulbasUtras be attributed to more of Harappan culture,
rather than the heritage of the arriving Aryans into IVC?

Regards,
SM



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