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Rejecting the theory, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) said India has always been the cradle of Hindu civilization and there is no debate about it.
"Michael Wood clearly admires India and its people, and this shows through in his passionate depiction of India," said Sheetal Shah, HAF's Director of Development and Outreach.
"We are not seeking to discredit the 'Story of India' in its entirety, but viewers should be aware that a major error was made in the documentary that fails scrutiny and should be corrected," she said.
The Hindu advocacy group said it has received a deluge of phone calls protesting the presentation of the ‘now discredited’ theory, currently being shown on television.
The AMT theorises that in 1500 BCE pastoral tribes that came to be known as Aryans, migrated from Central Europe to Northwest India eventually dispersing indigenous people and imposing their own culture.
"This theory, that is not supported by archaeological evidence, was first posited by European Indologists and British colonialists, eventually finding support from a section of India's politically motivated linguists and historians such as Romila Thapar, and famously, controversial Harvard linguist, Michael Witzel," she said.
This theory, the HAF believes, is ‘agenda-driven’.
In his documentary, HAF says, Wood holds that the early Hindu practice of worshipping devas, or demigods representing elements, ‘somehow implies that these practices were imported from Central Asia.’
While referring ‘obliquely’ to the Aryan Migration Theory as controversial, HAF said, Wood fails to present contrary evidence that many scientists believe refutes the claim that the progenitors of Hindu civilisation came from west of the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan.
"There is no debate that India was always the cradle of Hindu civilisation, and the Vedas, the Hindu's holiest scriptures, are the recorded history of our ancestors," said Suhag Shukla, HAF's Managing Director.
"We strongly oppose the insulting theory--advanced by agenda-driven activist historians -- that our rishis, the great sages who composed the Vedas, were foreign to India, and Wood does viewers a disservice in not presenting both sides of the coin, in an otherwise admirable work," he said.
The AMT is reviled by many Hindus, he said, due to its implicit proposition that a tribe of ‘Aryans’ migrated into the Indian subcontinent, subjugated an indigenous people dispersing them to South India and established a caste system where the highest castes are comprised of ‘Aryans’ in an ethno-religious apartheid system.
This ‘explosive theory’ that narrates that Aryans were only the first colonizers -- followed by Greeks, Mongols, Turks, Persians -- was used by European historians to justify the last foreign claim on India, the British Raj, he added.
However, he asserted, it is the latest genetic evidence, based on chromosomal and DNA analysis, that scientists believe definitively discredits the AMT.
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The availability of overwhelming evidences confirm that Aryan invation/migration did take place. The invading Aryans destroyed the culturally advanced Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) and established a pastoral and semi-nomadic set up over the same. The total absence of cow - which is central to the aryan life - in IVC is only due to this reason. The IVC people lived in well built cities which are architectural marvels, even as per today's standards. But in the Rg Veda there is no mention of any cities built by Aryanss.The religious beliefs etc of Aryans were also totally different from the IVC. The IVC people did not worship Rg Vedic gods like Agni, Indra, Varuna etc. The skeletal remains of IVC people consist mostly of non-Aryan people. All this proves beyond doubt that Aryan invasion did take place at some point of time. Even the "Return of Aryans" theory is built on the premise that the sudden entry of Aryans in to India cannot now be disputed.
If at all Wood had touched upon Aryan invasion/migration as the first intrusion of aryan people,it is to be appreciated.Hindu religion is being aryanised and made a plank for Hindi apeaking noretheners to subjugate all-non-aryan dravidians,kolarians,muslims christians etc.
Aryan invasion theory now in its avatar of "migration" theory is a linguist's wet dream and is discounted by serious historians except for the commie ones in India. The best way to clear the whole controversy is by genetic mapping, R1A1 is supposed to be the "Aryan" gene, this particular gene is found in great diversity within Indian subcontinent and peters off when you head towards central asia and middle east. A geneticist would tell that the data would point to India
I still believe in the Aryan Invasion/Migration theory. I would rather side with historians from well respected universities than some Hindu fundamentalist chauvanist scholars. What the Aryans practiced is not the Hinduism of today. Aryans were against idol worship and ate beef. Plus the name Hindu was coined by the Muslim invaders.
In the book "Return of the Aryans"- the theory is that the people from the Indus valley were the original Aryans and that they migrated to Europe and returned to India. Even names in the Teutonic pantheon of Gods smack of Indian names.
I thank Michael Wood. Aryans did migrate... the evidence is in the DNA of Indians and the migration was not peaceful. The Rig Ved tells the story of the destruction of the Indus Valley Civilization by the Aryans.The Genes of Indians show that the upper caste Hindus have more affinity to europeans than lower caste but the mitochondrial DNA that is inherited only from the mother shows a non-european affinity. This indicates that the mothers of the Indians were not akin to the europeans/aryans but their fathers were... consistent of a foreign army of Aryans impregnating natives. The situation occurs when there is an invasion and conquest and ubsequent slavery of the females and extermination of males.The following are from the RigR V. 2.20.6, RV 4.30.20 (and more), and best look at RV 6.27.5RV 6.27.5:In aid of Abhyavartin Cayamana, Indra destroyed the seed of Virasakha. At Hariyupiyah (Harappa) he smote the vanguard of the Vrcivans, and the rear fled frightened
Absolute nonsense! Aryan is not a race. The word Arya is referred to a noble person. Also, Hariyoupiyah refers to "Hari" who is also known as Vishnu. So the people of Harappa were following the Vedas and named their city after "Hari" i.e. Vishnu. So, don't be so ignorant.
... statement in Wood's commentary which went something like 'Even though they did not leave any genetic imprint, the Aryans influenced Indian culture...'. The words that got stuck in my mind were 'Even though they did not leave any genetic imprint...' and I thought that how is it possible that they migrated and settled and Mr Wood cannot find genetic imprint when he can find genetic imprint of Africans in his research of human beings spreading out of Africa which is much older. This made me suspect the whole documentary.
the word Hindu has been given to the inhabitants by the Arabs- meant people of the land of hindukush. Dravidians was the name given to the inhabitant of dravidian plateau by the europeans. Sanatan Dharm was the Religion they followed.Fact that Shiva was one of the gods found in harappan and mohan-jo daro basins and is also one of the gods worshipped later on by the so called aryan is kind of a link between all the people. Language wise sanskrit/telugu/kannada/hindi/bengali and most other indian languages have lot of similarities. I dot know about tamil. Fact that lower caste people were discriminated against is a fact and shameful, but is not written in any religious text as should be done, was probably a manipulation for power by the upper castes people. Problems like this abound almost all relegions, christanity has catholics and protestant, baptised and non baptised, and though not treated differently now used to be a thing in the past when nonbaptised catholics were looked down at
India was inhabited by Aryans from Iran during 3000 B.C. to 5000 B.C. These Aryan Indians can never be original Indians. Bascially Dravidians are the Bhoomiputras. They are original sons of the soil.
All the patriotic Indians should take a stand against such 'agenda-driven' campaigns, which are to keep the Indians divided on Aryan-Dravidian theory.World should take it as a note, not to confirm us the origin of our civilization.- Baljinder Singh
Truth hurts. It really hurts when it is about the attrocities done 2 the Dravidians and their culture and language by the Aryans. They coninue the invasion by forcing Aryan language (Hindi) to eradicate more classical languages like Tamil and Kannada. After few years from now, they will shout that these Dravidian languages never existed and that Hindus i Idia always spoke Hindi and that Hindus and Hindi go together. Aryans will keep on shouting that AMT is wrong and that Hindi, Hindi, Hindustha jai. Aryans are blood thristy and war-like people who want to fight with every one. Dravidians ran away to forests, hills and coastal areas to escape from these blood-thirsty people who came from the west of India. The sounder the evidence to support the invasion-like dead bodies on the streets of Harappa and Mohanjadaro, will make them to shout louder and louder that it is a false theory and that it is agenda driven. Look at the comments below by 4 fools and enemies of truth and light.
Funny comment! But, Hinduism is more preserved in the south than in the north. If the so-called "aryans" forced the original people to the south, why is the Vedic culture more preserved in the south? Does not make sense.
Why do you post comments under fake names? Are you ashamed to give your real name, my brother? It is evident you are a South Indian Muslim. Stop spreading hatred on basis of religion and region. You are nothing but another Raj Thackeray. You are not any great historian and neither do you have any proof or evidence. So we dont need your dumb comments.
It appeard that Harappa and Mohanjadaro were presented as Aryan Civilisation and NOT as Dravidian civilisation. I am just reffering to 'The Story of India', because this discussion is about this only. Do not bring every thing else here.
My Dear petriot friends.This is the time when we must be live togather
There is a huge Tamil Brahmin population in the US who have fled due to persecution by the DMK. This group refuses to accept that Aryans invaded and pushed the indeginous population southwards. This controversy never arises in India as history texts follow Romila Thapar, the eminent historian. No one has also cited any detailed scientific study of the genetics of migration. The North vs South cultural war now has a new battlefield -- the USA. The participants should try and do something more productive than squabling about history. BTW, Harward University and the US textbook system has rejected the contention of the HAF.
I'm a dalit and there is no Aryan Dravidian divide. Have you even heard of it before chrishtian missionaries propagated about it?
Poor Dalit. He does not call himself a Hindu even. Get lost. only true Aryan blood is allowed here.
Dalit Shllabh, if you are a Hindu, why your forefathers were not allowed to enter into temples and schools. When did you slaves started going to schools. WHo gave you admission to schools. Learn some history before throwning mud at those who educated you. Why you call yourself a Dalit and not Hindu????
there are archiological proven studies about krishna and Ram and various oldest temples, which dates back to 9600 years. The europeans or aryans did not exist at that time in indian subcontinent. Unless, we the indian wake up to the reality about outside threat, we will fail from every way of life. It is been the fight over the last 1000 years...thank youtruly
When California wanted to revise its history books, our Hindutva folks brought their theory that Hinduism, Rama, and Krishna were several 100,000 or million years old. They were given it in their ----- a full and was told human civilisation never existed in the said times. Our people are hell bent on trying to prove stories are real. If you Aryans are the original inhabitants of Indus Valley, decipher the scriptures of Mohenjadaro and Harappa and then speak. I challenge everybody, that itself is proof you are not.
LOL. you are saying that since the south indians are the original inhabitants of the Indus Valley they will be able to decipher the scripts of Mohenjodaro and Harrapa? So if you are south indian you should know the script?
I was reading an article in Scientific American which said that humans evolved out of fish. Duh!!! The hindu texts talk of the 10 avatars, where the first one is "Matsya" - fish, "Kurma" - Turtle.....et al. There is no date for this evolution theory that was propounded and accounted for in our Indian texts/puranas. Westerners are plain jealous of the wealth and knowledge India has always possessed and still does. Sadly, today we Indians are so divided in our thoughts, ways and languages - that we have given the world the license to exploit us. Many more Michael Woods will come and go, we have to stay united in our thoughts and actions and follow the true path of Vedanta. Ignorance of outsiders will be exposed sooner because ignorant people are loud in their claims. Karma catches up and the world will understand Vedanta - the end of all (so called) knowledge is nothing but pure liberation.
The language Brahui spoken by a tribe in Pakistan has words similar to Dravidian languages. That itself is a proof that Dravidians had a wonderful civilisation in Indus valley even before the invasion of Aryans. BJP under MM Joshi tried very hard to reverse history. This is what all the Hindu activists do. If Aryans where the original inhabitants of India can anyone explain why the scriptures of Mohenjadaro and Harappa has not been deciphered to date. It was always Aryan invasion and the high caste of Hindu society will always discredit any attempt to prove otherwise. After all they have supressed the entire country with casteism all along and why would they want to give up their supremacy.
HAF should have shown tolerance towards the scholastic theory of History regarding AMT.There are always many theories for many subjects which are very old and sometimes it is very difficult to go back in the past that is so deep. Survival of the fittest is the rule of law in the history.Aryans were the strongest people who moved from far away places, won their battles,migrated, settled and survived.I do not see any insult in this story of India. Why one did not feel insulted when Hitler described himself to be True Aryan? I think HAF has tainted with color of RSS, VHP and Bajrangdal.Let Historians, Scholars and researchers work in their way and let all be away from intolerance.
Why is AMT so upsetting to the heavy-duty Hindus? It is a fact that in India, there are at least two linguistic groups: Indo-European and Dravidian. It is a fact that, there are people speaking languages belonging to the Indo-European family to the west of India, all the way to Europe. Hence, it is plausible, that the Indo-European language speakers in India migrated from the west sometimes ago. Why is it such an upsetting idea?
i do not agrry with this story as there was no maigrretion from ireland or any where elc from europ to india ,this is just busit and agenda to make a fols story on india ,india belive in hindu veadik culture there was't influnce of europ or any othere country
Google the words "JPMorgan Racism Indian" and you will know
I will ask my friends and acquaintances to withdraw support from PBS and NPR stations. This documentary on India is pure propaganda. Shame on PBS, shame on Michael Woods! If this i the case that raises serious doubts about PBS's other documentaries. I had inherent faith in their unbiased reporting and coverage not anymore. It seems the old cliche,If its too good to be true it is porbably not true, finally caught up with PBS
There are lots of words where Hindus are confused and they make others more confuse Words such as: 'Hinduism', 'Myth', 'Aryan', 'Many Gods', 'DemiGods' these are wrong English words for authentic and ancient Sanatan Dharma/Hindu Dharma but less educated orless knowlegable Hindus use these words fluently and frequetly, they are confused Hindus. Just because skin color of north Indians are different from South Indians doesn't mean that N.Indians become Ayran. The probelm is we Hindus never took objection to those incorrect words and now we are suffering
One only has to read preceding responses to confirm the wisdom of a college joke 'one Indian a philosopher; two Indians a chatterbox; three Indians CONFUSION'. We all know that AMT has been an accepted theory for long but everyday the holes in it are getting bigger and bigger. Going by this the depiction in 'The Story Of India' was without doubt one sided.
Why only Aryans are upset. Drvidians still live under submission. Aryans are now even eradicating the dravidian languages by forcing Hindi. After few decades, these langauages woud be cessfully invaded by Hindi. it is cultural invasions. Few centuries from then, Aryans will deny such an invasion and say that Hindi was always the languages of Hindus and that Dravidian languages never existed. After all, we Aryans are best in corruption and in cheating the whole world. So, let us keep shouting that Aryan invasion never existed.