18. 06.15
Dear Colleagues,
This not a discussion on the IVC and the Aryans and the invasion theory, I just draw attention to a few bibliographical deficiencies that struck me. If I am not mistaken – that because of the vast amount of literature posted here - I did not find any reference to or discussion on H.P.Francfort in Frontiers of the Indus civilization (1984:301-310), J-C. Gardin ‘L’archéologie du paysage bactrien’ : pp,480-501, Comptes rendus de l’academie des inscriptions, Paris :480-501, Bertille Lyonnet ‘Decouverte de sites de l’âge du bronze dans le N.E. de l’Afghanistan : leurs rapports avec la civilisation de l’Indus’ in Annali dell ‘Istituto Orientale di Napoli Vol.37 1977: 19-35. These did not at all refer to the Aryans or any race theory but announced startling discoveries on the IVC.
My personal view is that they may throw light on the RV description of Vṛtra’s killing without reference to invasion.
“GARDIN 1980 speaks of the extensive irrigation system developed in the very same region in the third millennium BC. The peculiarity of the system originated in pebbles depositing in the riverbed of the Kokcha, a tributary of the Oxus, and raising its water level. This necessitated the construction of high-level canals in the lowest slopes of the mountains where they were cut out from the river. G ARDIN naturally thinks that the deposit of pebbles formed in the riverbed in a natural process. But that could also be a deliberate act for maintaining a stable source of water throughout the year. In that case the obstruction would reduce the water-level of the Kokcha river and also of the Oxus. Now, the heroic feat of Indra most remembered in the Ṛgveda is the destruction of the serpent that obstructed the flow of water. Cf. RV 1.32.1-2 : ‘I proclaim the heroic feats of Indra, the first ones the wielder of the thunderbolt did. He killed the serpent, then let out the water and broke the flanks of the mountains. He killed the serpent lying in the mountain, Tvaṣṭṛ shaped the resounding thunderbolt for him. Like cows lowing (for the calf), the flowing waters at once went down towards the sea.’ For those living downstream the pebble-deposits in the Kokcha in the lower slopes of the mountains would be undesired obstruction against the availability of water. One may consider if the said adventures of Indra could have anything to do with that. Could it be that Aryan adventures near the Oxus are alluded to in the Ṛgveda? That comes close to what KOSAMBI(1956:75) had surmised on a different ground.”
The above understanding is of an indirect clash and the destruction of a civilizations’s base by migrants but not necessarily a purposeful invasion. It appeared to me that the F.R.Allchin and F.B.J. Kuiper had somewhat inclined to these ideas. But I might be wrong. The citation is from a 2004 paper by me.
I should add that the post-2004 writings made me rethink on a few points but that did not result in any new publication. Though Gardin and the other authors spoke of IVC connection on the basis of similar ceramic industries convincing evidence of trade/water-resource connection is required. The affairs in Afghanistan destroyed many possibilities. And since I am no authority on the subject there is no insistence of any kind that my views should have great worth. I request forgiveness if the points have already been considered in the forum.
Best wishes
Dipak Bhattacharya