Aryans versus Non-Aryans: A Study of Dalit Narratives of India’s Ancient Past

Abstract

This article discusses the Dalit narratives of India’s ancient past, particularly varied interpretations of Aryan invasion of India. The colonial administrators introduced Aryan theory and race science in order to justify their authority over India. In a response, social reformers and nationalist scholars, largely coming from upper castes, constructed their own narratives of Indian history, which promoted the idea of glorious Aryan-Hindu past. Contrary to the colonial and nationalist scholars, who had characterized the Aryan race as a founder of Hindu civilization, Jotirao Phule’s counter-narrative projected them as foreign invaders. In addition, as Brahmanas were identified with Aryans, all non-Brahmanas including Shudras and untouchables were identified as original inhabitants of India in Dalit writings. However, Ambedkar, who challenged the colonial and nationalist views on Aryan invasion, refused to accept Jotirao Phule’s identification of Aryans with foreign invaders. Instead, he rejected the Aryan invasion theory and presence of distinct warring races in ancient India. The article highlights the impact of the rapidly changing political atmosphere of the 1940s on Ambedkar’s counter-narratives that proposed a common Aryan identity for all—Brahmanas, Shudras and untouchables.