Over the next few days, you're going to hear some very 'excited' takes about this recent Lazaridis, Reich et al paper - "The genetic history of the Southern Arc: A bridge between West Asia and Europe" - effectively 'dethroning' the Pontic Steppe by positing a pre-Yamnaya "Armenian" Indo-European ur-urheimat. Yet the paper doesn't actually disprove … Continue reading On The Recent Archaeogenetic Speculation As To An Armenian Ur-Urheimat
History
Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
[Author's Note: This piece was originally intended for India's 2022 Independence Day observances. However, ill-health and fatigue on my part meant that it could not be completed in time. I therefore present the finished half today - and shall follow up with the subsequent portion and conclusion as and when it is ready.] And so … Continue reading Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
The Sacrifice to the Fourteen Gods of Tripura of the Enemies of that State
To provide some measure of context: at the time, Bengal was significantly under Muslim (and, indeed, Afghan - Pathan) domination, in the form of the Bengal Sultanate. Tripura had been a vassal-state - although not long afore this incident had occurred, Tripura had begun to throw off the foreign yoke in earnest (and more upon … Continue reading The Sacrifice to the Fourteen Gods of Tripura of the Enemies of that State
The Returning Skanda Subramaniam Murti Of Tiruchendur [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part VII]
It is TUESDAY - The Day of Ares, the Day of Mars. And therefore … a most interesting tale in relation to Lord Skanda (Subramanya). Throughout much of the 1600s, the Dutch and Portuguese fought a protracted war over possession of various far-flung colonial possessions across the known world. One of these theaters of operations … Continue reading The Returning Skanda Subramaniam Murti Of Tiruchendur [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part VII]
On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
This would appear to be a case of, as the kids might say - "New School Nikes, Old School Kicks". But one point absolutely must be made here - Mahmud of Ghazni was a warlord who fought and died of disease a millennium ago. He is, in a word - "history", a footnote. Cleaved to … Continue reading On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
In our field, we are so often delving into impressive legends of long ago - myths about men who once lived and wrought deeds so mighty that they seem frankly 'incredible' (in the old sense of the term) today. And that can leave one quite jaded about the modern era for reasons that ought be … Continue reading The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
Khan’s Maryannu Invocation
For context, this man is a prominent geneticist frequently commenting on matters pertaining to our field. The 'Maryannu' he references here are a rather intriguing group spoken of in the ancient Near East, that appear to have constituted chariot-borne warriors. Indo-European chariot-borne warriors, based around the speculated etymological link of "Maryannu" to Sanskrit मर्य ['Marya'] … Continue reading Khan’s Maryannu Invocation
The Sword Of The King – On Bhavani And The Famed Bhavani Tulwar Of ShivaJi
[Author's Note: I wrote this some four years ago yesterday. So, as ever, our understandings have grown and evolved in certain areas … including the rather intriguing potential that the Excalibur myth of Britain, wherein a certain female figure associated with The Waters bestows an empowered sword to a leader in order to unify things … Continue reading The Sword Of The King – On Bhavani And The Famed Bhavani Tulwar Of ShivaJi
The Past Is A Battlefield – Fought Over By The Armies Of Modernity
Some of the comments from my latest article. Which I find interesting - because it suggests that some people who'd self-identify more toward a "hard conservative" view … think we're being, and I quote "feminist […] revisionists"; whereas some people who would appear to identify more toward the "hard progressive" end of things think we're … Continue reading The Past Is A Battlefield – Fought Over By The Armies Of Modernity
On The Current Colonial Consternation Contra Classical Studies
And so we come to it again. The periodic turning of the wheel wherein some academic-with-an-agenda decides that Classical Studies Must Go. It's happened before, it shall no doubt happen again in due time. But what interests me is the reasoning being advanced this time around. You see, the 'problem' for Classics is its perceived … Continue reading On The Current Colonial Consternation Contra Classical Studies
arya-akasha 