India, the land of sages, ancient sciences, culture, civilization and what not, is still struggling to prove its past. Our past shows rich diversity of culture, values, penance and socialism.
The western influence on our history is such that we never even tried to dig our past and find our roots. In one of his speeches, the present National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval said that history favours only the powerful. It does not see whether he is right or wrong. It never goes with those who are true but less powerful.
This is what happened with us. Our history was written when the English were ruling India. It was presented in a way they wanted it to be presented.
They, as obvious now, were a bit apprehensive to write the actual history. The British had to improve their economy during that period and it would not have been possible without utilizing the resources of India. Also, India was a soft target for them because of lack of a strong kingdom to counter them during that era.
At that time, had they accepted that India is home to such an ancient civilization and rich cultural history, a sense of pride and self esteem would have aroused in Indian souls and that would not have been good for the British Empire.
It would have led to an unprecedented loss of revenue and territory for the British. Their status in the world would have deteriorated vigorously and it would have been a severe blow for them.
To counter this, what the British did was to rip us apart from our culture and our history as this was the only thing that bound all the Indians together. They deployed many tricks to tear us apart from our historic background.
Moreover, they had to prove themselves of being of superior race which would make their life a bit easier in India. Thus, one of their educationists proposed the theory of Aryans invading from the western boundary of India and their subsequent settlement in North India in around 1500 BC.
It was another ploy of breaking Indian unity by saying that Aryans and Dravidians were different. They said the Dravidians were pushed back to South India once the Aryans came to India.
The history was thus written without proper research and there was no objection countered then because we had almost no proof and answer to their questions.
Today the world has grown highly inclusive and realistic. This era is dedicated to science and everybody is bound to accept what science proves irrespective of their liking.
India has a lot of questions to answer regarding her culture and history. Moreover, the ever-growing human society never shuts its doors as it is all curious to know the past and the future. Even though it is still not possible to predict about the future accurately but we definitely are in a state to explore our past and find answers relating our history significantly.
One such rigorous research has found out a lot of the answers regarding our past. This research was carried out by Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE), Delhi Chapter.
It took the pain to perform extensive research by applying and coordinating seven different sciences together. They took the help of archaeological, anthropological, paleobotanical, geological, ecological, oceanographic and remote sensing evidences along with the help of astronomy and astrophysics.
The team started its research in different fields and it took them more than half a decade to arrive at a conclusion which was quite stunning.
The team also used highly developed and accurate astronomical software called PLANETARIUM. They used every data and not even a minute detail was left out. This helped them to find out the exact dates and the chronology of events matched with those already mentioned in our scriptures.
Theme of the Exhibition
The theme of the exhibition was “Cultural Continuity from Rig-Veda to Robotics”.
How were the skyviews prepared?
The skyviews were generated using Planetarium software by entering the data which was taken from the description given in the Valmiki Ramayan. When the period was calculated, it gave the time of birth of Shri Ram on 10th January, 5114 BC. The place of birth found out was Ayodhya.
All the subsequent observations of the mentioned events in Valmiki Ramayan and other references in the life of Shri Ram matched perfectly, that too in chronological order. The astronomical references in Rig-Veda dates back to about 7000 BC when the skyviews were generated.
While explaining about the procedures followed and other details about the project, the Associate Director of I-SERVE, Shri Peeyush Sandhir answered some of our queries. The excerpts of the enlightening talk with him:
Tell us something about the research.
It was started by Mrs. Saroj Bala, an IRS officer and Member, Central Board of Direct Taxes who wanted to find out our real past and did not want to simply accept the history as narrated by the foreign authors. She was helped by late Shri Pushkar Bhatnagar who also was an active contributor in the research. The research was started and further nurtured by other likeminded participants who denied believing any hypothetical theory. So I-SERVE was started and now it has come out with so many scientific evidences and reports.
What is the main objective behind the research and its exhibition?
The main objective of the research is to find out the true history of Indian Subcontinent. This result was oriented to increase the self respect of the people indigenous to this area by bringing out the actual history of the land.
How credible are the results? Will they be able to stand against the western beliefs?
The results we are exhibiting are not the theories. These are scientific results. Take the example of gene theory or the Radio Carbon Dating. These are the results of rigorous experiments and observations. Our evidences are not based on philosophies and theories. The results of our research are scientific which are corroborated with the results of other scientific researches. These are authentic as the science itself.
These results are sufficient to answer any queries related to our research. We are scientific institute and if any questions are raised on scientific basis we are ready to answer them. These results are absolutely credible and if anyone wants they can cross check themselves.
What are the branches of science made use of in this project?
We applied as many sciences as possible, among which the major corroborations were derived from anthropology, paleobotany, geology, ecology, geography, oceanography, remote sensing and archaeological evidences with the help of ISRO and gene study. We also took the help of American software named Planetarium to create detailed and ultraprecise skyviews as it is written in the scriptures. Astronomy and astrophysics also played vital role in this research.
What is the difference between this research and those undertaken in the past?
The astronomical results were generated with software that even ISRO and NASA relies upon. This software reduced any human error that was ever present in previous cases. Regarding other results, these were present in the public domain for more than 20 to 30 years but were never published for general public. We just summed it up and on joining the dots we could paint the whole picture.
What is the accuracy level of the research?
All the researches have high accuracy as most state of the art technologies are used. Results of National Institute of Oceanography are beyond questioning. Remote sensing was carried out by the ISRO (Jodhpur Branch) and Radio Carbon Dating by the best agency in India. These results are very accurate as they are done by the researchers. More accurate results are possible with the advent of new technologies but as for now these are the most accurate.
What do these results mean to you and your team?
These results mean a lot to us as these have fulfilled some of our objectives. We will continue them in order to fulfil rest of the objectives and also aim to completely decipher the past our ancestors have left behind.
What if more questions are raised?
We are happy that more questions are raised as it will give a definite direction to our further research. More the questions are asked, better for us. If a person asks more questions his doubts will get cleared out and it will strengthen his belief. We take the questions positively and happily. Our belief is that if a person asks a question, it does not mean that he doubts us; it means that he wants to strengthen his trust on our research.
Who are the contributors in this research?
There are a lot of contributors in the research. But the credit goes to Mrs Saroj Bala. A lot of eminent personalities from different walks of life have also contributed in the research. Even Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalaam has guided our path in our research.
What are the further plans of the institute?
We will continue with our research. We do not want to be satisfied at this. We will work for finding more evidences. As of now we have started a whole new project to join the dots of our history from Samrat Yudhisthir to Samrat Ashoka.
Any message to our readers?
I would like to give only one message. Ours is a glorious past. Believe in it. We should feel proud in our rich cultural heritage and shared pride. Do not take Ramayana and Mahabharat as just scriptures, they are our real past and now that it has been proved scientifically, please take pride in them.
As per the exhibition, there are 53 references in Rig-Veda as prayer offered to Ashwinis (Aries constellation) at dawn. The first sighting of Ashwinis on the eastern horizon after winter solstice, just before sunrise, was used as a marker for the year beginning as it was viewed over Delhi on 5th January, 7000 BC.
Astronomical references in Rig-Veda represent the skyviews of important dates from 7000 BC to 5000 BC (9000 BP -7000 BP). Planetary references in Valmiki Ramayan reflect the skyviews seen sequentially on dates around 5100 BC.
The skyviews on several dates, say, from Putra Kamesthi Yajna (15 January 5115 BC) done by King Dashrath to Hanumanji’s meeting with Sitaji in Ashok Vatika (12 September 5076 BC) matched exactly with the description in Ramayan.
Similarly, the planetary reference of Mahabharat could be observed sequentially in the skyviews of around 3100 BC (5100 BP).
There is an age old legend, also narrated in Ramayan (3/11/85) and Mahabharat (3/103/12-14) about Agastya Muni persuading Vindhya Mountains not to rise higher. The Canopus star, named after Agastya Muni, seems to have been observed from Vindhyas by him around 5100 BC.
Around this time, he apparently travelled south to setup his Yagyashala where the weapons were made and these were handed over to Shri Ram when he visited him during the twelfth year of his exile in 5087 BC (3/12/32-37). As Agastya Muni was contemporary to Ram, this would also be the time of Ramayan, which matches well with other evidences.
The verses in Valmiki Ramayan stating that on ninth day of Shukla paksh of Chaitra month, Kaushalya gave birth to Shri Ram. At that time, Jupiter and Moon were shining in Cancer, which was rising over the horizon. Five planets were in their exalted position. When these all details were matched with the software, the date of birth of Shri Ram came out to be 10th January 5114 BC at 12:00 at 27˚ N, 82˚ E which are the coordinates of Ayodhya.
Bharat was born on 11th January 5114 BC at 04:00hrs at the same place in Pushya Nakshatra and Meen Lagna.
The date of birth of Lakshman and Shatrughna was on 11th January 5114 BC as well at 11:30 hrs in Ashlesha Nakshatra and Karka Lagna.
On 5th January 5089 BC, nearly when he was 25 years old, Shri Ram was exiled.
There is a mention of solar eclipse during Shri Ram’s war with Khar Dushan at Panchvati. When projected, a solar eclipse was found out to have occurred on 7th October 5077 BC, 14:15 hrs at 20˚ N, 73.78˚ E which are the coordinates of Nashik.
There are graphic details of solar eclipse during thirteenth year of exile i.e. after Surpanakha’s nose was cut and before abduction of Sita.
It is also mentioned about a lunar eclipse when Hanumanji met Sitaji in Ashok Vatika. The results were shocking when it was found out that on 12th September 5076 BC, a lunar eclipse occurred from 16:15 to 18:56 at 7˚ N, 80˚ E which are the coordinates of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The methodology of adopted for dating of Mahabharat war was also explained in detail in the exhibition. The research results pointed out the period of Mahabharat war to 4000-3000 BC.
A solar eclipse was observed when Pandavas lost everything in the game of dice. This solar eclipse occurred on October 20, 3153 BC at 10:25 hrs in Hastinapur (Meerut) 29˚ N, 78˚ E.
Shri Krishna left for last peace mission in Kartik month at the end of autumn when Hemant season had begun. The date calculated was September 25, 3139 BC at 06:20 hrs, 27˚ N, 76˚ E.
October 13, 3139 BC was dated as the beginning of Mahabharat war 30˚ N, 77˚ E at 06:15 hrs.
The war ended on eighteenth day i.e., on 31st October, 3139 BC with Shalya’s demise. Duryodhan went into hiding in Dvaipayana Lake and was located 12-13 days later when he had to fight war with Bheem. He got killed in mace battle fourteen days after the end of Mahabharat war.
Bhishma united himself with eternity on the occurrence of winter solstice on 19th December, 3139 BC, the day being Magh Shukla saptami.
The research proved the end of Krishna Leela on March3, 3102 BC, when a solar eclipse occurred for a full day on 13th date after Purnima again in 36 years of war indicating the annihilation of Yadavs and destruction of Dwarka.
On 22 January, 3101 BC, a spectacular assemblage of Sun, Moon and six planets around Aries was observed. This marked the beginning of Kali Era 37 years after Mahabharat war.
The Holocene sea level curve prepared by National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, was 3 metres below present level 7000 years back which is the period of Ramayan. This corroborates the astronomical dates of Shri Ram.
Story of Ganga
Rishi Vishwamitra narrated a short story to Shri Ram. He said- Ganga descended from heavens, got entangled in the Jata-joot of God Shiva and then came to the Earth.
Its rational and scientific meaning as given by the geologists and archaeologists was- Ganga (Bhagirathi) descended from Shivlinga peaks, meandered through Gangotri glaciers and flowed through the plains of Northern Plains right up to Rasatal (Ganga Sagar).
According to genealogy, to save Western India from floods and Eastern India from drought, Maharaja Sagar got extensive digging done to divert huge water volumes from melting glaciers of Shivalik peaks towards east, right upto Rasatal (1/39-41).
Maharaja Sagar and his grandson, Anshuman tried for 30 and 32 years respectively, Dilip invested his 30 years but finally Bhagirath succeeded in making Ganga (Bhagirathi) waters from Gangotri glaciers flow into the route dug by Sagar.
In Rig-Veda age, Saraswati was the most celebrated river. It was huge and voluminous.
The satellite images, supported by geological evidences, have revealed that Sutlej migrated westwards to join Indus through Beas whereas Yamuna migrated eastwards to join Ganga somewhere around 4000-6000 BC due to plate tectonic movement thus depriving Saraswati of its tributaries.
Moreover, Sagar and Bhagirath turned the flow of Bhagirathi waters into Ganga around 6000 BC. Therefore, post Rig-Veda age; Ganga became the most revered river whereas Saraswati became non- perennial. Its connection with ground water has also been established at several places in Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Geographical evidence related to Ramayan
More than 150 places visited by Shri Ram as per Valmiki Ramayan was revisited by the researchers from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram in India and also in Sri Lanka. The memorials at these places still exist and the geographic features, flora and fauna match the description in Ramayan.
At Kotumsar Caves in Dandakaranya forests in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, 7000 years old remains of grains were found whose heyday was confirmed after radio carbon dating was performed on them.
The network of caves and tunnels located in Novara Elea Hills in Sri Lanka exhibit places such as Ravana Caves, Ravana Falls with multiple caves and Udakirinda caves dating back to 7000 BP.
Evidence from Archaeology
Rig-Veda refers to metals whereas Ramayan refers to various kinds of weapons. They include bows, arrows and swords. More than 7000 years old bows and arrows made of Copper have been found during archaeological excavations in Middle Ganga Plains as well as in Saraswati region such as from Kunal, Haryana.
Spread of Vedic Culture
With the beginning of Holocene 10,000 years ago, Vedic culture started evolving in Indus-Saraswati-Ganga region and spread throughout India.
After great drought and drying up of Saraswati River around 2000 BC, Vedic people moved towards west and east. This proves that Aryans were indigenous and they moved out of Indian subcontinent instead of them coming to India.
Moreover, extensive genetic study has proven that genetic profile of all Indians has remained the same for more than 55000 years and it is of developing civilised man for more than 10000 years.
The genetic profile of North Indians, Dravidians and tribals reveal extensive sharing of ancient substratum and there is no substantial proof of any Aryan invasion from Central Asia, West Asia or even from Europe.
Kol, Bhil and Gond tribes mentioned in Ramayan have continuity of genes for more than 10000 years.
Dr. Gyaneshwar Chaubey, in his article published in PLOS ONE in June 2015, has drawn these conclusions.
Thus it is quite evident that there was no Aryan Invasion. In fact, the Vedic Aryans from India have been travelling to other countries of the world since 8000 BP for trade and disseminating knowledge.
Let us dedicate ourselves to scientific reconstruction of our remote past and generate shared pride amongst all Indians in the achievements of ancient India.
In the words of Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalaam, “In India the core culture goes beyond time. It precedes the arrival of Islam; it precedes the arrival of Christianity… it is when we accept India in all its splendid glory that, with a shared past as a base, we can look forward to a shared future of peace and prosperity, of creation and abundance”.
