Elamite and Tamil Connection

The Elamite and Tamil Connection: By: Bipin Shah Introduction: The recent discoveries of Elamite seals in Iran and Mesopotamia may help us in understanding the ancient history of India. Although, the work is still in progress at various archeological sites but the discoveries so far are encouraging. The translation of the Elamite seals gives some strong clues that we need to explore to fill the voids in Indian history and that is the subject matter of this paper. This is not to minimize what the ancient Aryans and others groups may have brought to Indian civilization such as love for the spirituality, preference for pluralism, unified culture and religious tolerance. All of them left some indelible marks on the present Indian culture. The consistent lack of new discovery of Iron age Aryan archeology and or the inscriptions comparable to Behistan of Persia restricts our knowledge and verification of only up to 3rd century BC and raises an interesting question on Aryan geography of 6th century BC and before. This is an important puzzle to solve for historians and archeologists. The Rig-Veda text can be easily dated to 1800 -2000 BC but provides no clue to its geography. The sister Avestan text also gives us some scant clues that the homeland was wintery cold but omits the exact location. That leaves us to the mercy of linguists and theorist on the location of urheimat (homeland). The other puzzle that is still to be resolved is the presence of three separate language groups living side by side for thousands of years. The Sanskrit, Tamil (Elamite) and proto-Austroloid based tribal languages such as Munda but they have totally independent origins. This reality cannot be ignored in overall context of profiling of the people of India. There has not been sufficient resources or efforts spent to find out why India is the one of the rare country in the world that enjoys this unique privilege of hosting three independently derived languages with no roots connection except some exchange of loan words that can be called as “lingua franca” . The present vast number of various regional languages and dialects derived from these three mother languages of the past illustrate this point. There are other civilizations with Aryan roots that have left sufficient archeology of their existence in central Asia. The Hattusa of Hittite, the Behistan Inscription of Darius-I, in Persia (Iran) who called themselves the Aryans. 1 Lion gate of Hattusa-Turkey 1200 BC Behistan Inscription of Darius-I of Iran 522 BC re carved on Semiramis inscription. The Aryan epic of Mahabharata places the presence of Pandavas and Kauravas near Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, while Krishna of Lunar dynasty is placed initially near present Matura and then to Saurashtra region near Dwarka. How this is is possible for someone who is essentially a Persian-Medes claim himself of Kuru dynasty (vansh), some considerable distance apart from epic story? The geographical differences have not been reconciled. Perhaps one way to look at this, during the ancient period, there were no national boundaries as viewed in the present context and it changed from time to time based on the might of the ruler who conquered the territories. The landmarks like large mountain, mighty river or barren patch of the land understood to separate the nationality or language group. Further investigation leads us to believe that at one time there was a common vocabulary existed among Indo-Iranian branch of Arias as shown below in the table form. This situation in combination with “religious switch” of Good and evil Gods of both the ancient people demonstrate that their differences probably were driven by their religious views than physical boundaries or the language itself. Proto-Indo-Iranian 1.aĉwa- ("horse") 2.bʰag3.bʰrātr- ("brother") Avestan(Old Persian) Vedic Sanskrit (old Indic) English Av, aspa Asva Horse OP baj- (bāji; "tribute") Bhaga, Nazrana Tribute OP brātar bhrātṛ Brother 2 4.bʰūmī ("earth", "land") OP būmi 5.martya ("mortal, "man") OP martya 6.māsa ("moon") OP māha 7.wāsara ("early") OP vāhara ("spring") 8.ṛta ("truth") Av aša, OP arta 9.draugʰ- ("falsehood") Av druj, OP draug10sauma "pressed (juice)" Av haoma 11 Av Hapta 12 Av Hindu bhūmī Martya Māsa,Chadra vāsara ṛta druhsoma Septa Sindhu EarthMortal Moon Morning Truth daugher opium like Seven Indus During Second World War, Hitler of Germany who claimed himself to be of Aryan nationality while adopting Swastika (in inverted form) for Germany as a national symbol. His understanding was more on racial term than other concepts of nobility, conduct and spirituality. Perhaps this may have inspired other colonial powers like British to claim Aryan history through India. India in 17th century AD, became a beeline for Germans and British archeologist, Indologists and linguists to learn Sanskrit and other derivative Prakrit languages. With the local help, they succeeded in translating the ancient manuscripts of India that we use as reference material as translated in English, that otherwise would have remained an exclusive preserve of Brahmins and Royal bards. Either this acts of colonial historians was prejudicial to Tamil speakers who are not considered the part of Indo-European family of language or their biased was influenced by local interpreters is not very clear. This bias had developed the understanding of the ancient history of India in Indo-European lenses, in spite of their finds at Harrapan and Mohan-JeDaro that should have challenged that assumption or bias. There are plenty of archeological evidence like the presence of megaliths in tribal areas of the east and various cave paintings to suggest that India was habitated by Non-Sanskrit speakers longtime ago. The word “Arya” has more to do with the way of life than just in context of the ethnicity, race or language group. There was and is a lack of comprehension in understanding the pre-history of India that existed prior to Vedic time. The new discoveries of Elamite seals at the number of sites near Susa, Iran or in the ancient province of “Ilam” as Iranians call it, speaks the same story for Iran as India. Iran itself had preexisting languages and cultures prior to arrivals of Aryan Medes and Persians. 3 The wide presence of Buddhist archeology in Afghanistan and eastern parts of Iran and Pakistan is more suggestive of India’s differing geography of the past than what our current boundary defines. The continuous and additive efforts by Kenoyer on Indus-saraswati civilization have started to pay some dividends in unraveling the pre-history of India. Those ancient civilizations were more urbanized with well planned cities than nomadic Aryans could have dreamed off either in Persia, or Mesopotamia. The Aryan archeology in Central Asia is still intact. It is becoming much clearer that Aryan question cannot be resolved on nationalist ground or debate. For past 50 years or more, there have been intense debates among historians and Indologists to design a model or theory that will explain the movement of Aryans from their original homeland. India had become a target of testing various theories due to the presence of their oldest surviving Aryan language-Sanskrit. Over the millennia, India has emerged as a very diversified nation and on the surface it does not fit the assumed profile of Aryans of any Aryan theories but there are cultural layers of Aryans found everywhere either in the various languages, epics, the spirituality and ethics that still dominates the Indian culture. This article will spare the readers in rehashing the old Aryan theories and debates but support the presence of earlier pre-Vedic cultures of India. Elamite Connection to India and Archeological Finds of Iran: Chogha Zanbil or “Dur Untash” is an ancient Elamite complex in the Khuzestan province of Iran. Dur Untash Dur-Untash, which means the castle or the city of Untash named after King Untash Napirisha, an Elamite king. Its size and splendor was intended to honor the gods and to manifest the power of the king. Chogha in Bakhtiari language means hill. It is one of the few existent ziggurats in Iran, just 10 miles west of Susa, once ruled by Elamites. It is almost 4000 years old. The South western Persia prior to the invasion by Mitanni /Medes was ruled by a group who were known as Elamites and the land around Susa in Persia was called- the land of "ILAM", Elamites land was situated at border of Mesopotamia and Persian Gulf. The building materials used in the construction of Chogha Zanbil was mud bricks and baked bricks very typical of all ziggurats’ construction of early Mesopotamia. The monuments were beautifully decorated with glazed baked bricks, gypsum, ornaments of faience and glass. The bricks had Elamite cuneiform inscription characters made by human hands. The glazed terracotta statues such as Bulls and Winged griffins guarded the entrances to the ziggurat. Near the temples of Kiririsha and Hishmitik-Ruhuratir, kilns were found that probably were used for the production of baked bricks and decorated materials. The ziggurat was built in two stages and in the second phase took its multi-layered form. A wall surrounded the Ziggurat that had the inner wall of three concentric walls. Between the inner wall and the middle wall several temples belonging to different Elamite divinities were built. 4 Dur-Untash Ziggurats of Elamite near Susa, Iran-ruins and reconstruct Model Bull and winged griffin of Elam outside of temple 5 Some of the world's most ancient settlements have been excavated in the Caspian region and on the Iranian plateau. The village life said to have begun over around 4000 BC as per archeological evidence found in IV region. The Biblical story of Great flood is recorded and repeated in various texts of the world in details. Rajtarangni of India that chronicles the ancient history of Kashmir describes that the state of Kashmir was covered with the ice sheets and was habitated by the people only after the big melt down, very similar mythology. There have been numerous flood stories identified from ancient sources scattered around the world. The stories that were discovered on cuneiform tablets, which comprise some of the earliest surviving, writing, have obvious similarities. The Epic of Gilgamesh covers the similar story as do the Hebrew bible. “The deluge overthrew the land." This is the headline in all that stories. Bronze Age sites of Iran and Elamite Ziggurat- 10 ml southwest of Susa, Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat-Temple layout During the Bronze Age, the Iranian plateau was bounded on the east by the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas and on the west by the lowlands of Ḵuzestan and Mesopotamia. The people prospered greatly, owing to rich natural resources and the overland trade routes connecting Fertile Crescent of Indus-saraswati valley and Mesopotamia lowlands, supplemented by the sea routes. The trade was extended through central Asia, and Afghanistan. There is evidence that at the end of the 4th millennium B.C. settlements through-out Iran were linked in a common cultural and Trade network that the Assyrilogists called the “Proto-Elamite horizon.” With a common communication tongue, if not the script. See Map below. 6 Subsequently, however, distinct regional, cultural and political systems between eastern and western Iran were developed. As these regions exhibited strong cultural continuity throughout the Bronze Age, cultural development in each can be traced from the ProtoElamite period. Anatolia was once dominated by the ancient Elamites, who are considered the descendants of Noah as per Biblical stories of flood. According to bible, the word Elam derives from “Elam”, son of Sham and the grandson of Noah. The ancient Hebrew text also contains the word Elam and the same word is present in the Tamil dictionary of India and also corresponds with the Sumerian Elam (a), the Akkadian Elamtu, and the Elamite word for themselves “Haltamti”. It can very well be said that the word “Haltamti” when reached India in corrupted form just dropped out first three letters and with the etymology became the word “Tamti” to “Tamil”. Mr. Prabhakaran, Tamil Tiger movement of Sri-Lanka knew his history well when he demanded a separate homeland that he called “Elam.” Elamite states were among the leading political forces of the Ancient near East around 2000 BC. The "Elamites" spread their empire to west under King Chedorlaomer. The Elamites had struggled with the Assyrians for domination of Babylon. The great Babylonian dynasty of UR was brought to an end about 1950 BC by the Elamites, who destroyed the city and took its king prisoner. Many scholars believe that the Elamites empire boundaries included present day Taxila and the areas of Baluchistan and Sindh. Jewish Abraham had left Ur towards Cannon, when Neo-Elamite captured Ur. Jeremiah 49:36 prophesied in the Old Testament that “Elam will scatter them toward four direction of wind; 7 and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.” The Elamites were later overthrown by the Assyrians, Medes and Persians. During Akkadian period, the Elamite remained their vassals. Once Akkadian-Elamite took control of Taxila and sindh, they may have controlled Indussaraswati valley cities and towns or they have made an extension thereof. They always had trade relationship during early Sumerian-Akkadian period. We do not know if Indussaraswati region was either a colony or simple extension of Elamite kingdom of the past consisting of Elamite nationality. This statement may chill the hearts of “Aryan proponents” but the history is the history and it is driven by the truth. When Hammurabi and successors attacked Elam Empire, the survived one from war may have fled towards IV region and then on to further south. Since they cannot go west or North dominated by Assyrians, the eastern routes through ancient Gedrosia and sindh known through their trade relationship was the only option and then heading further south. Some experts also suggest another route that may have been utilized using monsoon wind to land near the port of ancient Muziris via sea. There are no other data to prove or disprove this hypothesis. However, the linguistic and genetics portrays a similar supportive picture through their analysis. Tamil language of south India most likely originated from Elam and Haplogroup plot shows the uniformity of haplogroup stretching up to Elam land. Some Elamites may have settled in Baluchistan. See the maps below for the reference. All indications point to the fact that Elamites were Semites like Jews and Arabs. Their language has relationships in the family of Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic and proto Tamil languages. Dravidian/Tamil has many words that are similar in Hebrew or Arabic. Similar dialect is also used by tribes in Baluchistan. So probably there are some old links between the Semites and Indian Dravids. Even today, the people of the extreme south of Iran and United Arab Emirates look like south Indians. 8 9 Elamite and Aryans: The Iron Age Iran, the land of the Behistan inscription and the Aryans has a long and rich history. Some of the world's most ancient settlements have been excavated in the Caspian Sea region and on the Iranian plateau. According to Avestan Text, The Aryans may have left the Northern cold region and moved down south and first appeared around Zagros mountain sometimes around 2000BC and split into various groups such as the Hittite (Khati), Medes(Madhu), Mitanni (Kurmi), Vedic(Sindhic or Hindic) and the Persians (Parsus) throughout Asia. Indian Rig-Veda does not provide any tangible clue to the Aryan geography and Avestan references are climate related and does not talk about specific geography. This is why we have a heated debate for over half century to determine the homeland of Aryans (Urheimat issue). This debate began with linguistic construct of Proto-Elam and Proto-indo-European language groups. Regardless of the language issue, several thousand years of sharing the common geography made the population so intermixed that now no ancient races can be traced or explained in its purest form unless one chooses to be ultra nationalist and narrow minded in a mixed and a globalized world. The recorded history of modern Iran was dominated by several powers and invaders. According to the recorded history, the first tribes to dominate this region were the Akkadian and Elamite, or mixture of both. Following the Elamite were the Assyrians from North western Mesopotamia who captured Elam near Susa. The Babylonians, Medes and Persians Aryans followed after that. This sums up over 4000 years of Elam’s history in central Asia. With various invasions, the migration had to follow. The motif over the ancient Assyrian palace in Susa records the exodus of Elamites with their Bull driven carts with no involvement of horses. The Assyrilogists have conveniently divided the history of Elam into three periods, spanning more than two millennia. The period before the first Elamite period is known as the protoElamite period: 1. Proto-Elamite: (3200 BC – 2700 BC based on clay tablet script) This empire was from rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Three groups of people merged to make an Elamite empire: The people from Ansan, Khuzestan and modern Luristan or Bakhtiari, near Susa, Iran. The Proto-Elamite city of Susa was founded around 4000 BC in the watershed of the river Karun (Kuru). It is considered to be the site of Proto-Elamite cultural formation and perhaps why Darius-I, may have claimed Kuru Vansi. 10 Exodus of Elamite since they cannot go west so they went east to Baluchistan and India-Note the absence of horse but the presence of the bull cart. Motif from Palace at Susa of Assur Ban Pal. Elam As you can see from the map above Zagros Mountains pass through ancient Elam and some Aryan tribes especially Medes and Kassite assumed to be of Aryan origin already were interacting with Elam. 11 Since Mesopotamian period, the Solar deity was common in all religious tradition from east to west, except perhaps the land of Elam and Indus- saraswati region where we still not have found any seal depicting Surya (Sun) but we have a yogi seal or “Pashupati” seal that is consistent with the popularity of Digambara Jainism, Ajivikism and Shaivism of South india. 2. Old Elamite period: (2700 BC – 1600 BC) Based on the script from Eparti dynasty, the Sumerian king of Kish conquered the kingdom of Elam by Enmebaragesi of Mesopotamia. This period included three dynasties: A. Avan dynasty contemporary to the Emperor Sargon of Akkad and vassal to him. Sargon tried to make the Akkadian the official language of his empire but was not successful. Elamite went back to their script in use after he died and the empire weakened. L. Austin waddle, an English historian has compared Sargon of Akkad as Purana king Sagar and his son Menes as Manu. Sargon had seven sons named (Manu) Menes and one of them is also considered to be same as Menes of Egypt who established the second dynasty. Waddell hypothesized by comparing and matching Vedic genealogy with Mesopotamian genealogy of kings. This was his theoretical frame work which he outlined in his book called “Makers of the Civilization”. However, some of his hypothesis may need another look in view of recent discoveries of Mesopotamia. During Sargon’s rule, Mesopotamian developed the interest in Iron, metal, woods and Ivory and their expedition to east became more common, this can also promote the migration of humans either for trade or just to escape the war and conflict over resources. Their domain did stretch to Gedrosia and Sindh (IV region). The Indus-Sarshvati’s region’s collapse is estimated to have occurred around 2800 BC, so there should be no resistance from any one from sub continent in absence of any military challenge. So the chronology and sequencing of migration of Tamil and Sanskrit speakers may have occurred during this period. Elam finally declared independence under the last Avan king, Kutik-Inshushinak-I (2240–2220 BC), and threw off the Akkadian language, promoting in its place the brief Linear Elamite script. Kutik-Inshushinnak- I, (Shishuniak or Shishunaga of Indian) conquered Susa and Anshan, and seems to have achieved some sort of political unity. Around 1850 BC, Kudur-Mabug (Perhaps Indian Dashrath), apparently king of another Akkadian state to the north of Larsa, managed to install his son, Warad-Sin (Bharat) for 12 years on the throne of Larsa (Larka, Lanka), and Warad-Sin's brother, Rim-Sin (RamChandra), succeeded him and conquered much of southern Mesopotamia for Larsa until dislodged by Hammurabi (The law giver). More details are available on Dr. Ranjit pal’s web site cited in reference section. 12 Depiction of Larsa (Larka, Lanka) cuneiform Hanuman type Royal court salute Mesopotamia Larsa king List- How this Elamite cuneiform discovery squares with Epic Ramayana is hard to Judge? The scribe, poets and historians have their own minds to put twist and turns in the epics, and epics are not designed to meet the historical standards. We know that Ramayana was spread to other southeast Asian countries by Tamil speakers of India and till today Rama’s victory over Ravan is celebrated in south India, Thailand , Malaysia and Bali, Indonesia, but those southeast Asians are not familiar with Gita or Mahabharata and do not observe any Vedic rituals or practice. This remains a puzzle for the historians. It is suspected that The Elamite migration may have started towards east during Sargon’s military campaign, and may have continued over several centuries and Vedic Aryans followed the suit passing through land route to east towards Baluchistan and onwards to doab of Ganges that supported the agriculture. The Elamites having enjoyed the historical relationship may have used the sea routes that carried them with the monsoon winds to south India. 3. Middle Elamite period: (1500 BC – 1100 BC) The Middle Elamite period began with the rise of the Anzanite dynasties around 1500 BC. Their rule was characterized by an "Elamization" of Susa, and the kings took the title "king of Anshan and Susa". While the first of these dynasties, the Kidinuids continued to use the Akkadian language frequently in their inscriptions, the succeeding Igihalkids and Shutrukids used Elamite with increasing regularity. Likewise, Elamite language and culture grew in importance in Susiana. The Anzanite dynasty provides very little information until the Babylonian invasion of Susa. 13 4. Neo-Elamite period: (1100 BC – 539 BC) This period was characterized by increasing influence of Assyrian and Medians of Iran. Achaemenids Empire of Persian began in 539 BC. The later Neo-Elamite period is characterized by a significant migration of Indo-European speaking Iranians to the Iranian plateau from north. The Medes that included Parthians, Sagartians, Margians, Bactrians, Sogdians etc. became very powerful around 800 BC. Among those pressuring tribes were the Parsu, first recorded in 844 BC as living on the southeastern shore of Lake Urmiah, but who by the end of this period would drive the remainder Elamites population out of their homes to east and renames the Iranian Plateau as Persia. These Iranian Aryan groups at one time were vassals of Akkadian and early Elamites. If Asko Parpola’s theory is right on Indus script, the Part of Elamite Empire or extension thereof was already present in IV region and moved south after abandonment of the major cities. There is no proof now as Harrapan seals and the script remain undeciphered but clues are there when the seals are compared. The similarity of religious seals exists between those two ancient civilizations that enabled Mr. Parpola to come to the above conclusion. He concluded: “Discoveries at Mehrgarh changed the entire concept of the Indus civilization.” Elamite Mother (Prithvi) Goddess Elamite sacred Bull deity 14 Indus-saraswati Bull Terracotta deity Indus-saraswati Earth (Prithvi) Goddess The Brahui tribe of Baluchistan speaks a related version of the Tamil language. Among the Semite people, there is a common marriage custom and that is to marry one’s cousin. Arabs, Brahui and some south Indians of Muslim faith observes this custom along with Parsee community. Since Arabs founded Islam as Mohamed was from Saudi Arabia, this practice was adopted by his followers throughout the world. Some scholars claim the connection of Elamites to Tamils in earlier history of India, claiming that ancient India’s name was "Illavart" before it was called “Aryavarta”. Similarly, the state of Gujarat was called by different names during early common eras. The northern Gujarat was called “Anarat” region (meaning land of non-Aryans), while southern Gujarat was called “Lata”. The southern sindh was called “Suvira”. Saurashtra was called “Suráshtra”. The word “Hindu” was given to Indians by Persian, meaning those leaving east of the river Sindhu. This will not charm the hearts of many who do not recognize that the word Hindu is given to us by others. Similarly, Rajasthan was called “Maru Mandal” or “Maru Desh”. The linguistics believes that the language of ELAM/Elamites was a linguistic isolate among Semite languages. "EB" and "EM" is the Semitic root word for father and mother respectively. These gives us the origin of words for father -Abba/Baba/Bapu/Appa and for the mother is Amba/Amma/Ma found in various languages of India. Elamites were well mixed with PersianAryans tribes and Vedic- Aryan tribes of India long time ago. Similarly, the Semitic/Jewish word also may mean that "Abraham" means "father of all” or “father of all priest” and Sarah as “Princess of God". Among various Semitic civilization of 15 Jews, Arabs and ancient Elam, Abraham and Sarah may have become terms equivalent to God and divinity. For Vedic people, Brahm and Saraswati became prominent terms associated with God and divinity. So Abraham can be equated to Brahmin and Sarah can be equated to Saraswati by Vedic people. In addition to this the term "Asura" used in India among Tamils and Sanskrit speakers is similar to "Asher" of Semitic language of west Asia. Kulli plate, very similar to ancient Indus plates with two tigers facing each other and motifs similar to those of the Nal culture of Baluchistan. A closer look at the mysterious Kuli culture of Baluchistan that both pre-dated and was contemporaneous with ancient Indus culture, and apparently was part of an elaborate trading network that stretched west as far as the Jiroft culture in Iran. You see the signs of moon and star like symbols but do not appear any sun symbol. 16 Ancient Elam in Mesopotamia The word “Elam” in Tamil means the homeland. This is exactly the way Elamite understood it when they describe the areas near Susa in Western Iran as the land of “Elam” or “Ilam”. They were contemporaries of the Egyptians, the Mitannis and the Hittites because Hittites were the first to attack them. The Elamites concluded a major treaty with the Akkadian monarch Naram-Sin. Elamite-Akkadian people became mixed during the early period and some of them had Indian sounding names like Rim-Sin, Warad-Sin, Naram-Sin (Sin in Sumerian means moon and Chandra in Sanskrit). Some have interpreted this as Ram Chandra, Bharat as Warad Chandra or Narayan as Naram Chandra by Indians. The Elamite/Akkadian names like “Shatruk” can be interpreted as “Shatrughana” and “Shushinak” as “Sheshnag”. The word “Siwe /Sive” can be Indian “Shiva” and the Shaivism remains ever popular with the south Indians. Dr. Ranjit Pal, a Bhanadarkar Institute’ scholar wrote on his web site: http://ranajitpal.com/ 17 “Ram-Sin (also written as Rim-Sin) of Larsa was the same as Rama of Valmiki. This has been maintained also by M.V.N. Krishna Rao at a later date. This implies that Warad-Sin who ruled before Ram-Sin was Bharata, his half brother. T.C. Young Jr. Writes in the Cambridge Ancient history about the peculiar role played by Kudur Mabuk, their father. He was apparently alive when Warad Sin became king. Ram-Sin of Larsa, who is called an Elamite, is generally ignored. The great Indian Epic Ramayana, on the other hand clearly indicates that Ram-Sin was Rama who ruled Sumer, Elam and Indus-Saraswati. Ram-Sin was the longest reigning monarch of Sumerian history who remains almost unnoticed due to a narrow perspective. Warad Sin (1834-1823 B.C., middle chronology) and Ram-Sin or Rim-Sin (1822-1763 B.C.) as kings of Larsa and Ur” Artificially Created seal motif of Ram-Sita-Laxman and Hanuman as per the Story of Ramayana These are some observation to mull over but similarities are also too numerous to ignore for additional research. Nebuchadnezzar himself can be interpreted with a Tamil name of “Neduncheziyan” or “Nedunchedianuru” or Vedic “Nabu”. Nebuchadnezzar-1(1126-1103 BC) said to have visited India to pay his respect to 22nd Jaina Tirthankara Neminath on the coast of Saurashtra. The region was controlled by Yadav Krishna at that time and was called by “Andhakavrishnis” as per Mahabharata. Nebuchadnezzar-1 (Vedic Nabu?) was the fourth king of the Second Dynasty of Isin and Fourth Dynasty of Babylon. He ruled for 23 years according to the Babylonian King List C and attacked Elam to recover cultic idol of Marduk (Sun God-Mitra, Mithra) that was stolen by earlier Elam ruler. 18 The cuneiform inscription of "Nebuchadnezzar-II” regarding Esagila temple and temple A-Zida, Eldest son th Nabopolassar, king of Babylon praying the recovered statue of Marduk, 6 century BC from Museum in Israel. The E temple was sacked several times during various invasions and looted. See the image of lion next to Marduk, signifying Lion-Sun relationship similar to Bull-moon relationship. The one of the three major language groups of India that has an apparent links to the ancient Elamites, are the South Indian Dravidians-Tamils. If it is so, it represented their timing of arrival in the South India prior to the arrival of Vedic Aryans in North India. In both instances, the Harrapan civilization had been extinguished due to desiccation of soil or due to river flow diversion or complete breakdown of trade links to Mesopotamia or other unknown climatic events. This explains why Tamils settled in south while Aryans settled in Ganges Doab. This research still remains the work in progress. Unfortunately, the archeological evidence does not go beyond 3rd century BC in India and Harrapan seals in its cuneiform remain undeciphered to test this hypothesis. Aryans were definitely Iron Age nomadic people-settlers with chariots and horses with Grey and black ware potteries (Harrapan used brown potteries). Aryan cultures are found in central Asia with other tribes who called themselves Aryans and they also had their swastika and linguistic similarities to prove it. The domestication of horses first appeared in central Asia. Aryans performed the rituals of Asva Magha (Horse sacrifice) not common with Tamil culture. India and Thailand were first to domesticate elephants. IV region does have the elephant seal but no horse seal. So, for East Asians like Chinese to stake a claim on elephant will be as wrong as native Pre-Aryans Indians to claim the domestication of horses. The domestication of horses occurred in central Asia and that proved to be a decisive military advantage in the ancient world. 19 Elephant seal IV region Two horned antelope of India Antelope seal of IV region Tamils and Hebrews connection: The main Tamil-Dravidian deity was the moon god, Shiva. Throughout the Middle-East, the ancient moon-god is considered to be the deification of Shem (and the fish-god being the deification of Noah). Now having defined this, the prophecy of Jeremiah 49:39 could then be viewed in different context. One important thing to remember that proto-Elamite through middle Elamite along with Indus –Saraswati valley was Bronze Age civilization. The animal seals that were proclaimed as the horse was turned out to be the Indian antelope. The absence of the horse in Elamite motif (below) and Harrapan seal (above) have striking similarities and suggestive that Aryans riding their chariot and horses had not arrived in India then. Other similarity to be noted between Jews and Elamites were both followed Moon calendar by adding extra month or (Adhika Mas). The Jews celebrate Hanukkah, eight day festival of light. Hindus celebrate Diwali, five day festival of light. Oil lamp & fried food is tradition of both festivals. YAM was considered an important deity of ancient Jewish people. Among Hindus they light oil lamp for YAM on 1 day before Diwali and Bhai Dooj festival is also called as YAM DOOJ. The people of Kerala celebrate the "Onam" festival in the memory of the great mythical King "Maha Bali" he was regarded as an Asura king. The “Onam” is also believed to be the birthday of Mahadeva (Shiva), the Lord of Thrikkakara (Adinath). The famous Thrikkakara temple had 28-day-long festival introduced by Mahabalipperumal, the former king of Kerala. Under this tradition, it is mentioned that Goddess Kali would come to see Lord Mahadeva. Some south Indian historians hold the view that Onam was a festival prevalent in ancient Assyria-Elamite. They named that temple in native language as "sigurai" or Ziggurat temple per assyrilogists. The Onam deity resembles the shape of the Onam deity –Shiva Linga. 20 Lord of Thrikkakara (Shiva or Adinath) of Kerala as an erect phallus The celebrated good “Assur Mahabali” by south Indian can be construed as renegade Assyrian Prince sympathetic to Elamites who migrated to India along with others. If Arya called Asura as evil and they were supposed natives of India, we can be sure the natives will not call them as Asura. We know also the Vedic king Sudasa who battled with Semiramis who was an Assyrian queen of Mesopotamia. The Assyrians who were Semitic people had their capital called "Assur" in the Mesopotamia. Hebrew word for buffalo is “Rumai” and in Tamil is “Erumai”. “Eelai” is leaf in both languages. The word “Erav” is the evening for Hebrew and but Night for Tamil. Some may consider this as mere coincidence but they are too numerous to ignore. The construction of the Jewish Temple and South Indian Temples are on the same plan. Both have a sanctum sanctorum followed by a sanctuary and an outer court. There might have been some relationship between the Pallava of southern India and the Pahlavas of Mahabharata who were of Persian-Elamite origin. As outlined in my paper Genetic history of Indian People, it is clearly established that the Dravidians were preceded in the subcontinent by an Austro-Asiatic people. The Vedic migrants followed both of them later. The original inhabitants may be identified with the speakers of the Munda and other tribal languages, which are unrelated to either Indo-Aryan or Dravidian languages. This view is put forward by Geneticist Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza. He stated his views in his book “The History and Geography of Human Genes”, notwithstanding the proof of Indus-Saraswati people’s identity. 21 Plans of Minaxi Temple south India Jewish Temple Plan Elamite Temple Plan In spite of these explanations, we should make every one aware that the Elamo-Dravidian language family is a hypothesized language family that links the Dravidian languages of India to the extinct Elamite language of ancient Elam. Similarly Indo-European Language family is also hypothesized language family. Several Linguists including David McAlpin has been a chief proponent of the Elamo-Dravidian hypothesis along with American Indologists Franklin Southworth. The extinct Harrapan language observations by Asko Parpola and other Indologists also believes that the language(s) of the Indus Valley Civilizations may also be part of this proto-elamite branch of the family. Various experts have various theories. The genetic data shows that the people , group and tribes came into india and also left india thousand of years ago and that is why india has the most complex genetic history as outlined in my previous paper on Genetic History of India. When those different groups of people arrived they were already mixed with other groups. The historical Nebuchadnezzar -II is credited with rebuilding great monuments of Babylon as well as conquering Judea and putting number of Jews to captivity. 22 Trades with Elam and Mesopotamia: Ophir of the ancient world was a famous city from which ancient Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria and other Middle East countries imported gold, sandalwood, ivory, gems, (wild animals and birds (peacocks, monkeys). This now seems to be a corruption of the Tamil kingdom of Oviyar. The Oviyar may be of the ruling tribes of South India and Sri Lanka both. Ophir (as the Greeks called it is a corrupted form of Oviyar and was an ancient kingdom of South India and Lanka.) The trades were handled through sea route when the Ships sailed from Oviyar to Sopara near Thane and Lothal in Gujarat and onwards to Mesopotamia. 23 Harrapan and Elamite Civilization: Harrapan civilization is a fair debate. We do have the archeology but lacks the language to make any connection with either the Sanskrit group or any other known cuneiform languages. There are some strange similarities with Easter Island language off Chilean coast in Pacific. The Indus valley script still remains a mystery of the “cuneiform world” until Rosetta stone are found. Indus-saraswati or Harrapan civilization goes up to 4000 BC that existed in cuneiform world of the Fertile Crescent. See below the time line of Harrapan civilization with others. Harrapan seals Indian antelope, pig, boar or deer with two types of Yogi-Shramana seals 24 Proto Elamite seals and inscription and its similarities with Harrapan seals There was one thing in common between Elamites, Medes, Persians and Vedic people; they hated the Assyrians who they considered barbarians of the ancient world. There is a consistent theme that can be found in epic literatures of Ramayana (Elamite origin) and Mahabharata (Vedic origin); their common enemies were “Asura” probably referring to Assyrians who uprooted both of them from Mesopotamia. One of the most important seal of Indus-saraswati is the seal of Yogi, or dubbed as “proto Shiva” seal by some. That clearly established the origin of Shramanic tradition of India. A man wearing a headgear is sitting in yogic posture, with an erect phallus. The Animals figures surround him. According to many art historians, this could be the earliest representation of Shiva, and also shows the knowledge of yoga. Seals and terracotta figurines believed to be portraying various yogic postures. According to historians, the mature phase of the Indus-Saraswati civilization lasted from 2600 to 1900 BC. The discoveries at Mehrgarh, Pakistan, were to further push the Proto-IV civilization to 6,000 BC. Eminent Pakistani archaeologist, Ahmad Hassan Dani said, “Discoveries at Mehrgarh changed the entire concept of the Indus civilization.” Elamite Mother (Prithvi) Goddess Elamite sacred Bull deity 25 Indus-saraswati Bull Terracotta deity Dancing Girl of Harrapan for worships Indus-saraswati Earth (Prithvi) Goddess Bharatanatyam- “Dance of fire” for Shiva worships 26 Yogi seal Bronze statue of Shramana Proto-Bharat Natyam for the worship of Shiva: The dancing girl figurine reminds us how the shrine of Shiva at Somnath employed many dancing girls in the temple worship of Shiva, performing the dance rituals that can be called now classical Bharat Natyam. Bharata Natyam in Tamil also spelled as “Bharatanatyam”, is a classical Indian dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu. This further support the hypothesis advocated here that Shiva, Shramana and temple dancing are of Elam origin and still very popular in south India. According to Bhimdeva Solanki’s biography kept by Jain Acharya Hemachandra, Gujarat king fell in love with dancing girl of Somnath Shiva shrine and made her his queen. Rudra worship was practiced in ancient Harrapan region of northwest near HeratAfghanistan. Rudra is another name for Shiva and is featured in Veda. It is quite possible that west and north Asian may have adopted them in from IV region or when they were vassals of Akkadian-elamite rulers. We find no trace of solar deity in ancient Elamite religion. The Shiva and Bull deity was popular with ancient Semites. Since today’s Hinduism is compendium of all religious tradition of India, many deities are incorporated in a big tent of Hinduism. Now, every Hindu in India recognizes and worships Shiva but he is more popular in South India. During the Rajput age, Shaivism spread throughout India. As a reality, a Hindu king was secular by nature to maintain peace and tranquility in his kingdom and respected all the popular tradition observed by his people. The intolerance of other religion and antagonism increased when Moslem took power in India due to their rigidity in their belief that their religion is supreme above all. That aspect was more politically driven than what their prophet had intended. 27 The table below describes the various stages of the Indus-Saraswati civilization: Date range BC Phase______________________ 7000 – 5500 BC Mehrgarh I (ceramic Neolithic) 5500-3300 Mehrgarh II-VI (ceramic Neolithic) 3300-2600 3300-2800 Early Indus-Saraswati Indus-Saraswati 1 (Ravi Phase) Indus-Saraswati 2 (Kot Diji Phase, Nausharo I, Mehrgarh VII) Mature Indus-Saraswati Indus-Saraswati 3A (Nausharo II) Indus-Saraswati 3B Indus-Saraswati 3C Late Indus-Saraswati (Cemetery H); Ochre colored Potteries 2800-2600 2600-1900 2600-2450 2450-2200 2200-1900 1900-1300 1900-1700 1700-1300 1300-300 Era________________ Early Food Producing Era Regionalization Era 5500-2600 Integration Era Localization Era Indus-Saraswati 4 Indus-Saraswati 5 Painted grey-black Ware, Black-Polished-North (Iron Indo-Gangetic Tradition Age) J M Kenoyer, a leading expert on Indus Valley, says, “Crafts became most important for reinforcing social and ritual status. These were efficiently controlled by new elites and powerful merchants of the Indus cities. While the knowledge of specific craft technologies were probably passed on from one generation to the next through kin networks and various forms of ritual practice, the access to specific materials could have been carefully regulated by controlling trade. At both Harappa and Nausharo, the building of massive mud brick walls around the settlements would have been the most effective way to control the access to raw materials. The walls and gateways would also have allowed for control of the export trade in finished commodities.” 28 Cultural Influence of India through Trades and settlements to south East Asia Spread of Ramayana through South India 29 The greater India’s cultural zone exceeded its physical boundary and many southeastern countries like Thailand and Cambodia used Sanskrit based names in their naming conventions of places and individuals. This expansion of Hinduism was promulgated by Tamil speakers of south India. Moon, Bull Relationship with Shaivism of India: Equally popular was the moon deity as mentioned above with Elamite and Jews and other ancient civilization. See the list http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lunar_deities Françoise Vallat summarized his conclusion of Elamite religion in his article: “The information furnished by archeological excavations in Persia and by cuneiform documents permit a summary description of some aspects of Elamite religion from the end of the 3rd millennium B.C. until the Achaemenids period. As most of this material comes from Susiana (mainly Susa, Chogha Zanbil, and Haft Tepe), a region under strong Mesopotamian influence, it is difficult to extrapolate specifically Elamite features. Some such features can be identified from finds on the Persian plateau, however, particularly at Kutangun, Naqs-e Rostam, and Tal-e Malian in Fars; Malamir in Khuzestan; and Sahdad in Kerman; and at Liyan on the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, certain details can be drawn from Mesopotamian documents, both written and iconographic. Analysis of the Elamite religion thus requires isolation in the Susiana documentation of elements that are not Mesopotamian and that can be compared with what is otherwise known from the Persian plateau and adjacent areas To separate various deities that were common with Sumerian, Babylonian and Elam, the specificity is required and they were found in two broad categories of ritual sites: open-air sanctuaries and buildings. In the first category three merit special attention: Kurangun Eza/Malamir, and Naqs-e Rostam. At Kuringun (Seidl, 1986) a relief was carved at the top of a cliff, probably in the 17th century B.C. The principal scene includes a god seated on a throne formed by a human-headed serpent, an animal attribute of Napirisa (not Insusinak); he holds in his hands the rod and the disk, symbols of supreme power, from which gush forth the waters of life. He is surrounded by seven figures, of which one goddess, wearing a horned tiara, is probably his consort, Kiririša. To the left is another scene, perhaps from the Neo-Elamite period, of a procession composed of three superimposed ranks of praying figures descending toward the principal scene. 30 Kuringan defaced relief near Susa and artist’s sketch-Proto-Shiva God with water sprouting, & snake in the hand Hindu Lord Shiva with River Ganga from the head, serpents on the neck and Linga-Phallus Compare this to Elamite God found in Kuringan, Iran “god seated on a throne formed by a human-headed serpent, an animal attribute of Napirisa (not Insusinak); he holds in his hands the rod and the disk, symbols of supreme power, from which gush forth the waters of life”. Linga worship probably originates from aborigine of India. 31 Prophet Daniel describes the great place of Susa, Iran. See a picture of a marble carving to the right. This colossal bull adorned the capital of a pillar in a great palace hall. The animal once supported the great wooden rafters on his neck. This work of an in grey marble was found on the site of ancient Susa, at one time the chief city of the kingdom of Elam (Daniel 8:2) The rock reliefs at Eza/Malamir, Iran are divided into two groups, those at Sekaf-e Salman southwest of Eza and those at Kul-e Farah to the northwest (Berghe, 1963; De Waele, 1981). Each includes several ritual scenes: processions, musicians, animal sacrifices, and the like. It seems that the images preceded the accompanying inscriptions (König, nos. 75-76), which are of the late Neo-Elamite period, the first half of the 6th century B.C.- See more at: http://www.iranchamber.com/religions/articles/elamite_religion.php#sthash.aj3QEhSC.dpuf Horned bull at Susa (Elamite Period) Moon God “Sin” –Elamite, Accadian & Sumerian The Tamil migration came to Sri-Lanka with Shaivism, the religion of Elam and Indus valley. Numerous temples are found in Sri-Lanka and south India. To get a complete list see the bibliography at the bottom. Shaivism as practiced in India today is a composite Hindu God but the above find from the Elamite sites describes some similarities to Hindu Shiva. Shaivism is very popular in south India and like any other ancient civilization the god and goddesses are integrated among various cultures. The bull has a great importance in the culture of the Dravidians, the agriculturalist. Some Dravidians see the bull as the national animal of the Dravidians. The bull is the symbol of manhood, pride, courage and strength in Tamil culture. Bull was worshiped by the ancient Dravidians. Lord Shiva is the patron god of the Dravidians and his mount is a bull named Nandi. The name Nandi, was derived from the ancient Dravidian word Pandi (bull). 32 Egyptian Apis, Isis and Ishtar of Babylon were moon deities-semite Goddess Presence of moon God symbols and Elamite shrine in Islam (Semite) A Bull holding a spouted vessel proto-elamite; 3100–2900 B.C. Iran 33 The majorities of the Dravidians are Hindus and belong mostly to Shaivism faith (Lord Shiva). Lord Shiva and Shaivism have origins in the Proto-Dravidian culture. The ancient Dravidians believed in the man-woman equality and the universal parents (Shiva and Parvati). Women are often in the center of art and culture. Bharat Natyam is a good example. The Mother Goddess religion is a major part of the Dravidian religion. Lord Shiva and some other Dravidian gods were adopted later in Hinduism. Funerary Head of Elamite Elamite Inscription found in Iran For the statue of gods in sanctum sanctorum or Shiva Lingam is made of black stone. Some have speculated that the black stone of Medina Shrine of Prophet follows this convention except it is a square and not a cylindrical triangle. The Shaivism was the dominant Hindu belief of Tamils over millennia. The ancient Tamils were very close to the nature, they worshiped animals and natural spirits. Tamils knew about various plants and their effects what we call now southern Ayurveda. The plants were often used for medical or religious rituals. Some religious practices of Tamils like Shramanism and exorcism by gods are not necessarily Vedic in origin. There are many Tamil gods who are not recognized as Vedic gods. Most of these gods belong to the group of Native gods and are not part of the Vedic religion. The worship of ancestors and fallen hero was a part of the Tamil culture but now is popular with all the Hindus. Vinay Pandey writes in his blog http://www.importantindia.com/888/shaivism-the-originand-growth-of-shavism/ 34 “The origin of Shaivism in India can be traced from very early times. It may be a legacy of the non-Aryan religious belief of the pre-historic period. The excavations in the Indus valley have revealed images of deities resembling Siva and phallus or Siva-lingam. However the cult of Siva developed by the fusion of the character of many native deities, including the Vedic God Rudra. In the ‘Rig-Veda’, Rudra is the God of destruction and storm. But in the `Yajur-Veda’, a synthesis is made between his destructive and benevolent character. Gradually Rudra rose into importance. In the ‘Svetasvatara Upanishad’, Rudra or Siva is regarded as the Supreme God (Manadeva) and Adinatha (fist lord) of Jaina.” Yet another writer opines that “Shaivism is strong among the Tamils of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Some traditions credit the spreading of Saivism into southern India to the great sage, Agastya, who is said to have brought Vedic traditions along with the Tamil language”. Agastya was one of the septa Rishi who exchanged place with another Rishi in Puranic list from time to time. Agastya is also featured in many languages of the world. Agastya (Tamil), Agathiyar (Telugu), Agasta-Sanskrit, Anggasta-Malaya; Akkhot-Thailand is suggestive of the spread from Tamil land to many places in Asia. Agastya is one of the Saptarishi who is extolled at many places in the Vedas and regarded as a revered sage. Agastya is also believed to be the author of Agastya Samhita. Agastya connection with Rama is mentioned most among all the existing epic texts of Ramayana, probably suggesting an Akkadian-Elamite origin. He is mentioned in the oldest and most original existing versions of the Ramayana by Sage Valmiki, as having his abode in the form of a hermitage in the Malaya Mountains. His main hermitage is placed by the epic Ramayana somewhere in the western half of the Indian Ocean, further south of the so-called Malaya Mountains, amongst a series or chain of large islands and submerged mountains. If this story gives you any twist, it implies Elamite connection near Mesopotamia in the Gulf region. Old Tamil literature contains several references to “agam” in the sense of ‘fort, palace or inner place’. This also implies ancient Larsa or Lanka of Ramayana. The story of the southern migration of the Velir from Dwaraka under the leadership of Agastya is narrated by Naccinarkkiniyar in his commentary on Tolkappiyam. (Payiram; Porul, 1.34). - Dravidian Text. Agastya's legacy is also associated with the Chengannur Temple in Kerala in South India, considered to be first built by Agasthya Muni, where he sat in meditation. Here Siva-Parvathy’s idols are worshiped in the same temple. One half of the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and the other half behind Siva is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. 35 Chengannur Shiva Temple Valmiki at Dwaraka Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Sage Valmiki who wrote the Sanskrit version of Valmiki Ramayana in poetic form was a robber named Ratnakar as per Uttara Kanda. Then there is a mythical story about his salvation by Narada and he becomes the sage. The whole narrative appears to looks like the defamation effort by mainstream Brahmins to isolate someone for separating from established tradition. We should not be surprised if Valmiki was of non-Vedic origin. His depiction is created below in Andhra Pradesh. As per K. d. Abhanyka who wrote an article on Valmiki, summarizes his observation as follows: “Valmiki may not have been a Brahmin like Vasishtha. He was not a Raja (king) like Viswamitra. He was possibly born as an Adivasi (the first aborigines of India). There are people who say that he was a Bhil, and those who say that he was a Kirata. To the followers of the Valmiki religion, he is the Eternal God himself. The Uttarakanda of the Ramayana refers to him as Brahmarshi, Bhargava son of Bhriggu and gives his name as “Praceta” and in some places says that he is the son of Varuna.” REFERENCES: 1. R. Ghirshman, The Ziggurat of The “Choga-Zanbil”, Scientific American, vol. 204, pp. 69-76, 1961 2. The Archaeology of Elam: Formation and Transformation of an Ancient Iranian State by D. T. Potts, Cambridge University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-521-56496-4 3. Commentary to Gen. 11:1–9; by Abraham Ibn Ezra, M.D. Cassuto, Mi-No'aḥ ad Avraham 36 (19593), 154–69; 4. The Book of Genesis (ICC, 1930), 223–31; J. Skinner 5. Elamites: http://www.iranchamber.com/religions/articles/elamite_religion.php#sthash.aj3QEhSC.dpuf 6. http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/toi_srilanka.htm “Shiva Temples in Elam-SriLanka.” 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Shiva_temples_in_India “Shiva Temples in India”. 8. http://www.hattuscha.de/English/liongate.htm Hattusa 9. Potts 2004 FS Mortensen Kurangun relief - Academia.edu Kurugan relief in Iran. 10. The Arjan Tomb-crossroads between Elamite and the Persian empires, by Javier AlvarezGutenberg Archive. 11. "Agastya Legend and the Indus Civilization" by Iravatham Mahadevan 12. http://ancientindians.wordpress.com/ramayanam/valmiki-adikavi/ by K.D. Abhayanka 13. Elamites: Ancient script http://www.ancientscripts.com/elamite.html 14. A History of ancient near East by Marc Van De Mieroop, Blackwell publishing. 15. The Cambridge ancient history: Early history of Middle east, Cambridge Press. 16. Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and near East by Michel Roaf. 17. www.harrapa.com, Harrapan artifacts. 18. http://ranajitpal.com/- “A new Non-Jonesian history of the world” by Dr. Ranjit Pal. 19. Horseplay in Harappa by Steve Farmer http://www.frontline.in/fl1720/17200040.htm 20. Connection and complexities, new approach to complexities of south Asian archeology http://www.frontline.in/fl1720/17200040.htm 37