How do scholars know, that Indo aryans raise cattle, and dependent upon their milk but later turned to agriculture?
Scholars have derived this information about Indo-Aryans through various sources and disciplines, including archaeology, linguistics, literature, and ethnography. Here's a breakdown of how they have arrived at this conclusion:
1. Archaeological evidence: Indus Valley Civilisation, which predates the Indo-Aryans, has provided insights into the lifestyle and practices of the region where the Indo-Aryans later settled. Archaeological findings in this area, such as seals depicting cattle, animal remains, and evidence of dairy processing, suggest that cattle rearing and milk consumption were prevalent during this period.
2. Linguistic evidence: Linguists have traced the evolution of Indo-European languages, including Indo-Aryan languages, which are believed to have originated from a common ancestor/proto-language. Many Indo-European languages contain lexical and etymological evidence related to cattle, dairy products, and agriculture. These linguistic connections indicate that these concepts were important to the early Indo-Aryan societies.
3. Vedic literature: The Rigveda, an ancient sacred text of the Indo-Aryans, provides valuable insights into their early social, religious, and cultural practices. Several hymns in the Rigveda mention cattle, milk, and agricultural activities extensively, indicating their significance in the lives of the Indo-Aryans. These hymns have been studied and analyzed by scholars to understand the societal transformations from cattle raising to agriculture.
4. Comparative ethnography: Ethnographic studies of modern and historical societies have shown that pastoral societies tend to be more common in regions with an abundance of grazing land, while agriculture becomes more prevalent in areas with fertile soil and sufficient water resources. Based on this knowledge, scholars have made inferences about the transition from cattle rearing to agriculture in the Indo-Aryan context.
By combining the insights obtained from these various sources, scholars have been able to reasonably infer that the Indo-Aryans initially relied on cattle and the consumption of milk but gradually transitioned towards agriculture as their main mode of sustenance.