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History of the Alans, Sarmatians, Scythians, Etc., or Jats in the West
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Many people find it quite strange concerning the identical or some very similar family names of South Asian Jats and Westerners: Gill, Mann, Bains, Dhillon, Virk or Birk, Lalli, Bhullar or Bullar, Maur or Mor, Her, etc. When many Western and other people come across this situation, the various instant school of thoughts may go through their minds and some of them at occasions are expressed quite openly. For example, it must have been the South Asian Jats who adopted the Western family names because of British rule in India or through intermarriages.
These logical thoughts are probably the result of the domination of Western influences throughout the world over the couple of past centuries. These conclusions may be true for certain people in certain parts of the world but in the case of the South Asian Jats, these thoughts are simply putting the cart before the horse because the lack of knowledge of the ancient European historical events.
One logical question that may come to mind is that how. come one of the greatest warriors of the World (South Asian Jats-for more information on this issue the reader should consult Chapters 4.and 5 containing remarks of various western authors concerning the Jats from the eighteenth century onward) simply adopted the western family names? Furthermore; as per Captain Cunningham [1], several of Nepoleon's former military officers and of others such as Allard, Court, and Ventura took employment in Jat kingdoms as well as most of the Jats of South Asia were ruled by the British for less than one hundred years.
Since the eighteenth century, most of the historical events concerning Jats were .recorded by the westerner authors themselves and it is nowhere to be found in these records, if any Jat took the British family names. In fact, it was these authors who began documenting the clan names of the Jats, e.g, Gill, Mann, Bains, Dhillon, etc., from the nineteenth century onward [2-4].
Furthermore, many of the British and other eminent writers and/or military officers made remarks concerning the Jats such as follows:
.Colonel Sleeman: General Sir MacMunn [5] wrote in his book, "To him (Dalip Singh-a Jat and the last king of the Sikh kingdom) his friend Colonel Sleeman, the famous Indian political officer, wrote, " I see you are going to live in Kent (a district in South-East England). You will be among your own people there, for you are a Jat and the men of Kent are Jats from Jutland", and no doubt he (Col. Sleeman) was speaking ethnological truth". . General Sir MacMunn [5] wrote about the arrival of Indian troops in France during the World War I, "The Jat Sikhs mighty and curled of beard, kin perhaps to the men of Kent, the Jutes from Jutland ". . Professor Owen, F., (A Canadian Professor) [6] wrote, "In the shape of face, stature and general physical build the Sikhs approximates the Nordic type". Over seventy per cent of the Sikhs belong to the Jat background. . Colonel Tod. J. [7] said, "At this time (A.D. 449) the Jut brothers, Hengist and Horsa, led a colony from Jutland and founded the kingdom of Kent (Cant'hi, a coast in Sanskrit, as in Gothic Konta7). The laws they there introduced, more especially the still prevailing one of a gavelkind, where all the sons share equally, except the youngest who has a double portion, are purely Scythian, and brought by the original Goth from the Jaxartes (in Central Asia, the birthplace of the South Asian Jats). Asi was the term applied to the Getes, Yeuts, or Juts, when they invaded Scandinavia and founded Jutland. Now the Su, Yuchi, or Yuti, are Getes according to De Guignes.
Marco Polo calls Cashgar (in North-West China) where he was the birthplace of the Swedes. De. La Croix adds, that in 1691 Sparvenfeidt, the Swedish ambassador at Paris, told him he has read in Swedish chronicles that Cash gar was their country. In Transoxiana (Central Asia) they (Huns or Mongol people) mixed with the Su, the Yuti or Getes (Jats), who were particularly powerful and extended into Europe".
Other obvious factors that counter the Jats adopting Western clan names are that the clan names in question only relate to Jats and no other South Asian people. The probability appears to be much higher for non-Jat south Asians to have western sounding names than the Jats because of the much longer British rule than a mere ninety eight years In the case of most Jats. If It was a pure chance to have Identical or similar sounding names, then how come It Is not applicable to other south Asian people7 (A very large number of the Jat clan names are either Identical or similar).
The ancient European historical records and the archeological findings support that the Central Asian people (Scythians, Sarmatians, and Alans) the forefathers of the modern Jats also Invaded Europe In ancient times. Before, we embark upon the historical accounts of the Alans or Alani, Sarmatians, and Scythians In Europe, let us define the meanings of the these three very words using the Canadian edition of the Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary [8J:
.Alans or Alani [8]: These people are described as, "a barbarian people (Alani) of Persian origin (Western authors categorize all Scythians as Iranian people), living between the sea of Azov and the Caucasus (Central Asia). Driven by the Huns (Mongol People), they penetrated into the Roman Empire then Invaded Gaul (A.D. 406), where one group settled in the region of the Loire. A second group entered Spain and was wiped out (7) by the Visigoths (some of the Goths are also said to be of the Central Asian Origin)". The same dictionary defines Gaul as two regions: Cisalpine (north Italy) and Transalpine (France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands). . Sarmatian [9]: This Is described as, "a member of the nomadic Indo-European people (Cousins of the Scythians) who displaced the Scythians (third century B.C.) on the lower Don (river now in Russia). First the enemies and then the allies of Rome, they were displaced by the Goths (also partly Central Asian People) In third century A.D." . . Scythian [10]: This Is described as, "a member of a nomadic Indo-European people who settled in Scythia before the seventh century B.C. and were displaced by the Sarmatians. They were specially noted in warfare for their mounted archers and In art for their rich gold ornaments. They spoke Iranian language (Central. Asian)" . Scythia is also described in the very same dictionary on the same page as "an ancient region of South-East Europe and Asia".
All of these people (Alans, Sarmatians, and Scythians) were Central Asian or Iranian language speakers. Mallory [.11J has said it very well, " Iranian speakers the major Iron Age Nomads of the Pontic-Caspian steppe such as the Kimmerians (7), Scythians, Sarmatians, and Alans (Alan!). The Incredible mobility of these horse-mounted nomads becomes all the more Impressive when we recall their westward expansions through Europe. Sarmatians conscripted to defend the borders of Roman Britain (second century A.D.). The Alans as far west as France and forced their way--- through Spain ". In western literature, all these people are sometimes simply referred to as Scythians.
This may be due to the factors stated by Professor Sulimirski [12], "As per ancient authors, the Sarmatians were not much different from the Scythians in their dress and customs; they also wore trousers, soft leather boots and soft round or pointed caps, though some also went bare headed like many Scythians. (It appears that the Scythian people probably have introduced the wearing of trousers and coats in the West). Both the Scythians and Sarmatians were the western most people of the large complex of Iranian speaking nomads who lived in Central Asia (5th and 6th centuries B.C.)".
Professor Sulimirski [12] goes on to say, "Massagetae ("great" Jats) subdued (3rd and 4th centuries B.C.) almost all the nomad tribes of Central Asia north of the Macedonian frontier ". Also, according to the encyclopedia Britannica [13], "--- Massagetae (also a Scythian people), conquered area north of the Oxus river (modern Amu river in Central Asia) and then assaulted their immediate neighbours, the Scythians, in turn a wide-scale nomadic migration was set in motion". The Massagetae appear to have owed their success mostly to the use of armoured cavalry against weaker adversaries.
It may be said that the movement of these nomadic people, especially westward, began as the result of a Chinese ruler's action in the 8th and 9th centuries B.C. against the Massagetae and the Massagetae In turn assaulted their cousins and neighbors, the Scythians. Eventually the Scythians succeeded In defeating the Cimmerians in the area presently called Ukraine. In later times, the Sarmatians (probably part of Massagetae) from the east pushed toward west and defeated Scythians. After the Sarmatians, the Alans made their way to the West. According to Ammianus Marcellinus (a fourth century A.D. Roman writer) [14], " Halani (Alani or Alans), once were known as the Massagetae. The Halani mount to the eastward, divided Into populous and extensive nations; these reach as far as Asia, and, as I have heard, stretch all the way to the river Ganges, which flows through the territories of India---" .
Professor Thompson [15] supported the accuracy of the Ammianus Marcellinus's accounts of Halanl. Furthermore, Professor Tarn [16] of the Cambridge University and Sir Marshall [17] said It was the Massagetae who established the Scythian rule in Punjab and other parts of India before the birth of Christ which lasted for many centuries. Their descendents continued to rule India, off and on, ever since those times and as late as the nineteenth century they were still ruling in North-West India (Jat and Sikh kingdoms). Today, there are at least 30 million people in South Asia who are still known as Jats. More than seventy per cent of Sikhs belong to the Jat background.
One of the most likely reasons for some South Asian Jats to have Identical or similar clan or family names to Western ones is the arrival of the Alans as far as France and Spain and their ultimate Integration Into the local population. It Is Interesting to note that the Alans reached Gaul In A.D. 408 and the White Huns invaded North-West India in the early part of the sixth century. Historical records Indicate that both Alans and White Huns originated from the same area of the Central Asia and also belonged to the Massagetae ("great" Jats) group of the Scythians. Both these people appear to have been more assertive than the other Scythian people. Many historians say the devastation of India by the White Huns' Invasion paved the way for the colonization of India by the Arabs and other middle eastern people, for many centuries to come.
Also, the historical and other evidence indicates the assertiveness of the Alans In the West. For example, Professor Bachrach [18] of the University of Minnesota In his book on the history of the Alans In the west, wrote, "an anti-Alan prejudice which survives In what today Is Normandy (France): cet homme est violent et allain (simple translation: you are a violent man and Alan)". It appears from the historical records and the current data that the majority of the
Alans, White Huns, or Massagetae went to Punjab than came to the west. This Is probably one of the reasons for a very large number of people (over 30 million) In North-West South Asia who still call themselves Jats. However, the Jat population Is still less than 3 per cent of the total population In South Asia.
Alans, Sarmatians, Scythians, Goths and Jutes are discussed below, separately.
Alans or Alani
According to Ammianus Marcellinus [14], Alans were once called Massagetae and they took their separate name after a mountain range called Alanos In Central Asia. In. fact, Dr. Kephart [19] said, the Alani were also known as Thyssa-getae ("small" Jats).
According to Professor Sullmlrskl [12] the Alani movement towards the westward direction from Central Asia started around second century B.C. Some of thel other points noted by Ammlanus Marcellinus [14] regarding Alans are as follows:
"Almost all the Alani are tall, handsome, their hair inclines to fair, by the ferocity of their glance they Inspire dread, subdued through it is". Jat Sikhs appear to satisfy almost all of these characteristics, even in the case of hair. some Jat Sikhs' hair still Incline to be fair. However, factors such as colour of hair and skin are the result of these people being In the sun-belt area for over a thousand centuries rather than their hereditary characteristics.
The writings of Major Barstow [20] provide ample proofs of the similarity of the above characteristics. "The Sikh Jat is generally tall and muscular, with well shaped limbs, erect carriage, and strongly marked and handsome features. They have always been famous for their fine physique and are surpassed by no race in India for highbred looks, smartness, and soldiery bearing. The Jat Sikhs are manly without false pride, undemonstrative, Independent without Insolence, reserved In manner, but good natured and Industrious. No one could be associated with them for any time without conceiving both respect and liking for them".
. -In all respects they (Alani) are somewhat like the Huns (Mongol People), but in their manner of life and their habits they are less savage-. In the sixth century A.D. In India, the invading Alani were called "White Huns" because of their Indo-European features-most likely the forefathers of the Jat Sikhs.
."Alani delight In danger and warfare. There the man is judged happy who has sacrificed his life In battle -". (modern Sikhs!)
.-No temple or sacred place is to be seen in their (Alani) country-. Strangely, hundreds of years later General Sir Sleeman [21] wrote concerning the South Asian Jats, "There are few temples anywhere to be seen In the territories of these Jat chiefs.
.--a naked sword is fixed in the ground and they reverently worship it as their god of war-. During the baptizing Sikh ceremony, a double-edge sword Is used to stir sweetened holy water which is later on drank by the new converts.
. "-all are born of noble blood, and moreover they (Alani) choose chiefs those men who are conspicuous for long experience as warriors". Major Barstow [20J writes, "From the earliest times Jats have been remarkable for their rejection of the monarchical principle, and their strong partiality for self-governing commonwealths. One of the names by which they were known to the ancients was Kingless ".
.--as glorious spoils of the slain they tear off their (enemy) heads". It appears Alani's cousins the Jats in Punjab kept up this tradition, hundreds of years later. For example, Lane-Poole [21J wrote, "To restore order " Mas'ud (l11e Invaded India In 1033 A.D.) appointed Tilak the Hindu to take over the command In the Punjab. This Hindu paragoll set out to chastise Nlyatagin (11'111s person had been Mahmud's -another Invader of India-treasurer). At last the news came that the barber's son (Tilak) had routed Niyaltagln, and that 'the Jats had caught the fugitive viceroy (Niyaltagin) and cut off his head, which they sold to Tilak for a hundred thousand pieces of silver" .
The writings on the cover of Professor Bachrach's [18J book stated that he has demonstrated In his book, "they (Alani) contributed much to the military repertolrf:1 of the West, especially the feigned retreat tactic and the role of the cavalry as the primary part of the army". The additional factors, cited on the cover are
Alans were assimilated by peoples In Gaul and Italy; during the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., they served the Roman Empire in a military capacity, In addition their military and political impact In several areas; and they Influenced early medieval artistic styles, literary developments, place names, and personal names.
Another noticeable point concerning Alans is, as per Professor Bachrach [18], "they worshipped or perhaps more exactly, venerated their ancestors.. According to Major Barstow [20] Jats worship" Jathera" , or a common ancestor of the clan, to whom a large shrine Is erected In the neighborhood of their village.
According to various ancient writers such as Josephus, Lucan, Lucian, Dlonyslus and Ammianus Marcellinus Alans were a Scythian people and particularly as per Ptolemy (an ancient Greek Geographer) and Dlonysius, they were living in Asia and Europe [18]. Furthermore, another ancient Roman writer Pliny said both Sarmatians and Alans were Scythians, and Lucian remarked the only important different characteristic between Scythians and Alans Is the way they wear their hair: Scythian (longer), Alans (shorter) [18].
In 370s A.D. Huns (Mongol people) Invaded South Russia and at that time the first people they encountered there were the Alans. As a result of this invasion, some of the Alans moved westward. In later times Alans joined their forces with Goths (partly Scythian people) and Huns and then started to plunder Roman territory In Thrace north of Greece, and In 378 A.D. they met the forces of the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens near Adrlanople which resulted In the death of the Emperor and a disaster for his army.
Ultimately, some of the Alans joined the Roman forces during the period of the Western Roman Emperor Gratian (367/375-383 A.D.). As the result of this, the Alans settled In Italy. In northern Italy, an Alan regiment continued to serve until at least 487 A.D. and by the year 421 A.D. at least one Alan (Ardaburlus) became a general In the East Roman Army [18]. In fact, Maximinus belonging to the Alan background became the Roman Emperor: his mother was an Alan and father, a Goth [18]. Furthermore, Professor Backrach [18] wrote, "Alans may have forayed Into Greece early In the 240s A.D. They are said to have defeated the Roman Emperor Gordian III (238-244 A.D.) on the plains of Philippi" .
Alan generals such as Ardaburlus and his son Aspar settled a substantial number of Alans around the Black Sea so they can count on their support at the moment of need. For example, In the eastern Crimea and along, the western shore of the Black Sea In lower Moesla some of the Alans allied with the Vandals and opposed Roman domination. After their defeat by Stilicho, the Roman commander In the West, both Alans and Vandals moved northward and east Into Germany beyond the Rhine frontier and outside the Roman territory. It Is to be noted that some Alans were also under the command of Stlllcho at that time.
A group of Alans and Vandals entered Spain in the early 5th century A.D. and continued their raiding and plundering practices to Gaul. Eventually. some of the Alans crossed Into north Africa.
Goar. the Alan leader who supported the Roman empire. settled his Alan followers around Orleanals and shifted his capital to the city of Orleans (France) [18J. In Professor Backrach's [18J words. "a substantial number of Alan place names surviving in this area may perhaps be indicating that many of the Gallo-Roman magnates were driven out by the Alans and the toponymical evidence aid us to Identify locations where the Alana may have settled: Les Allains. Allalnvllle. Alalncourt. Alalns. Allalnes. etc." Some of the concluding remarks concerning Alans by Professor Backrach [18J are as follows:
.-- Alans became very powerful at Constantipole (modern Istanbul. Turkey) and their leaders. for a while. ruled even though did not reign over the eastern Roman empire. . -- Alans became Christians. however. up to 450 A.D. they were still pagans In the Gaul area. . -- Under the Roman hospitality system. the nomadic warrior elites became a settled. landholding warrior class (Even today Jats In South Asia are classified as a landholding warrior class). . -- Among the crumbling ruin of Roman Institutions. particularly in Gaul. they (Alans) were In as ideal position which allowed them to become a part of a new medieval aristocracy.
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