[Solved] Original Homeland of Aryans: Theories and Authors

Who among the following wrote on the original homeland of the Aryans?

[U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 1996]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The debate over the 'Urheimat' (original homeland) of the Indo-Aryans involved various linguistic, astronomical, and archaeological theories during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Authentic Source Evidence

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, in his book 'The Arctic Home in the Vedas' (1903), used astronomical references in the Rig Veda to argue that the Aryans originated in the Arctic region before migrating south.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Tilak's work is a seminal text in Indian nationalist historiography regarding Aryan origins.

Logic 2: Max Muller (Central Asia), Swami Dayanand Saraswati (Tibet), and others proposed different regions based on philological and religious interpretations.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What evidence did Tilak use for his Arctic theory?"

He interpreted descriptions of long dawns and nights in the Vedas as references to the unique celestial phenomena of the polar regions.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"While the Central Asian theory is currently the most scientifically accepted, Tilak’s work reflects the effort of Indian scholars to engage with global orientalist debates using indigenous texts."

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