Re: Aryan invasion theory and race

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCallister <gabaroo6958@...> wrote:

> Francesco should be able to help me on this. I've read that the
> descendants of the Huns et al. became Ksatriyas in Rajasthan and
> that they were absorbed into the local Rajputs there.

The origin of the Rajput clans, who appear in Indian history as "new" kshatriya dynasties ruling over kingdoms situated in present Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh etc. starting from the 9th-10th century CE, have been much debated. Some have argued for their descent from central Asian migrants, perhaps the Hunas or possibly the Gurjaras, although this argument is now generally doubted and criticized as unsatisfactory -- see for instance, the interesting discussion of Rajput origins contained in the book at

http://tinyurl.com/mfaj8j

Recent discussions of Rajput identity are mostly related to the social phenomenon of families from varied backgrounds -- such as the Rajputs no doubt were -- rising to royal authority. Hypotheses about a possible central Asian origin of certain Rajput clans are no longer central to the historical debate.

Cheers,
Francesco