Difference between revisions of "Aryan"
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− | Aryan /ˈɛərjən/ is an English language loanword derived from the Sanskrit ārya ('Noble'). In present-day academia, the terms "Indo-Iranian" and "Indo-European" have, according to many, made most uses of the term 'Aryan' minimal, and 'Aryan' is now mostly limited to its appearance in the term "Indo-Aryan" for Indic languages and their speakers. | + | [[Aryan]] /ˈɛərjən/ is an {{Wiki|English}} [[language]] loanword derived from the [[Sanskrit]] [[ārya]] ('[[Noble]]'). In present-day {{Wiki|academia}}, the terms "[[Indo-Iranian]]" and "{{Wiki|Indo-European}}" have, according to many, made most uses of the term '[[Aryan]]' minimal, and '[[Aryan]]' is now mostly limited to its [[appearance]] in the term "[[Wikipedia:Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]]" for [[Indic]] [[languages]] and their speakers. |
+ | |||
+ | [[Western]] notions of an "[[Aryan]] race" rose to prominence in late-19th and early-20th century racialist [[thought]], an [[idea]] most notably embraced by {{Wiki|Nazi}} ideology (see [[master]] race). The {{Wiki|Nazis}} believed that the "Nordic peoples" (who were also referred to as the "{{Wiki|Germanic}} peoples") represent an | ||
− | + | {{Wiki|ideal}} and "[[pure]] race" that was the purest [[representation]] of the original racial stock of those who were then called the Proto-Aryans. The {{Wiki|Nazis}} declared that the Nordics were the true [[Aryans]] because they claimed that they were more "[[pure]]" (less racially mixed with non-native {{Wiki|Indo-European}} peoples) than other [[people]] of what were then called the [[Aryan]] [[people]] (now generally called the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[people]]) | |
− | Etymology | + | {{Wiki|Etymology}} |
− | Scholarly usage | + | [[Scholarly]] usage |
− | Indo-Iranian languages (Indo-Aryan or Indic, Nuristani, and Iranian languages) | + | [[Indo-Iranian]] [[languages]] ([[Wikipedia:Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] or [[Indic]], Nuristani, and {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[languages]]) |
Contemporary usage | Contemporary usage | ||
− | Among Hindu nationalists, the Hindu/Indian people | + | Among [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|nationalists}}, the Hindu/Indian [[people]] |
− | within the ideology of white supremacy, the "White race", who are native Indo-Europeans of the Western or European branch of the Indo-European peoples, as opposed to the Eastern or Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European peoples. The term Aryan is prominently used in the names of such organizations. | + | within the ideology of white supremacy, the "White race", who are native [[Indo-Europeans]] of the [[Western]] or {{Wiki|European}} branch of the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} peoples, as opposed to the Eastern or [[Indo-Iranian]] branch of the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} peoples. The term [[Aryan]] is prominently used in the names of such organizations. |
Dated usage | Dated usage | ||
− | The "Aryan race" taken to correspond to the original speakers of Indo-European languages and their present day descendants | + | The "[[Aryan]] race" taken to correspond to the original speakers of {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[languages]] and their {{Wiki|present}} day descendants |
− | Derivation of the word "Aryan" | + | Derivation of the [[word]] "[[Aryan]]" |
− | The English word "Aryan" is borrowed from the Sanskrit word ārya meaning 'Noble' but apparently, it was initially used as a national name to designate those who worshipped the Vedic deities (especially Indra) and followed Vedic culture (e.g. performance of sacrifice, Yajna). The Zend airya 'venerable' and Old Persian ariya are also thought to be national names. | + | The {{Wiki|English}} [[word]] "[[Aryan]]" is borrowed from the [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[ārya]] [[meaning]] '[[Noble]]' but apparently, it was initially used as a national [[name]] to designate those who worshipped the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]] (especially [[Indra]]) and followed {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|culture}} (e.g. performance of {{Wiki|sacrifice}}, [[Yajna]]). The Zend airya '[[venerable]]' and Old [[Persian]] [[ariya]] are also [[thought]] to be national names. |
− | As a translation of Latin Ariānus ‘of Aria or Ariana (the eastern part of ancient Persia),’ Arian has long been in English use: Aryan is of recent introduction in Comparative Philology, and is also by many written Arian , on the ground that āria was the original word, as shown by the Vedic language, ārya being only the later Sanskrit form; the spelling Aryan has the advantage of distinguishing the word Arian (see Arius). | + | As a translation of {{Wiki|Latin}} Ariānus ‘of Aria or Ariana (the eastern part of {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Persia}}),’ Arian has long been in {{Wiki|English}} use: [[Aryan]] is of recent introduction in Comparative {{Wiki|Philology}}, and is also by many written Arian , on the ground that āria was the original [[word]], as shown by the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[language]], [[ārya]] {{Wiki|being}} only the later [[Sanskrit]] [[form]]; the spelling [[Aryan]] has the advantage of distinguishing the [[word]] Arian (see Arius). |
− | In colloquial English, the word has been adopted in accordance with Nazi racial theory's appropriation of the term to describe persons corresponding to the "Nordic" physical ideal of Nazi Germany (the "master race" ideology). | + | In colloquial {{Wiki|English}}, the [[word]] has been adopted in accordance with {{Wiki|Nazi}} racial theory's appropriation of the term to describe persons [[corresponding]] to the "Nordic" [[physical]] {{Wiki|ideal}} of {{Wiki|Nazi}} {{Wiki|Germany}} (the "[[master]] race" ideology). |
− | In Iranian context the original self-identifier lives on in ethnic names like "Alani", "Ir". Similarly, The word Iran is the Persian word for land/place of the Aryans (see also Iranian peoples). | + | In {{Wiki|Iranian}} context the original self-identifier [[lives]] on in {{Wiki|ethnic}} names like "[[Alani]]", "Ir". Similarly, The [[word]] {{Wiki|Iran}} is the [[Persian]] [[word]] for land/place of the [[Aryans]] (see also {{Wiki|Iranian}} peoples). |
− | Possible derivations from Proto-Indo-European | + | Possible derivations from {{Wiki|Proto-Indo-European}} |
− | According to a 1957 theory by Laroche, Indo-Iranian ar-ya- descends from Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *ar-yo-, a yo-adjective to a root *ar "to assemble skillfully", present in Greek harma "chariot", Greek aristos, (as in "aristocracy"), Latin ars "art", etc. Thus, according to this theory, an Aryan is "one who skillfully assembles". Proto-Indo-Iranian arta was a related concept of "properly joined" expressing a religious concept of cosmic order. | + | According to a 1957 {{Wiki|theory}} by Laroche, [[Indo-Iranian]] ar-ya- descends from {{Wiki|Proto-Indo-European}} (PIE) *ar-yo-, a yo-adjective to a [[root]] *ar "to assemble skillfully", {{Wiki|present}} in {{Wiki|Greek}} harma "[[chariot]]", {{Wiki|Greek}} aristos, (as in "{{Wiki|aristocracy}}"), {{Wiki|Latin}} ars "[[art]]", etc. Thus, according to this {{Wiki|theory}}, an [[Aryan]] is "one who skillfully assembles". Proto-Indo-Iranian arta was a related {{Wiki|concept}} of "properly joined" expressing a [[religious]] {{Wiki|concept}} of [[cosmic]] [[order]]. |
Various attempts to find an etymon are as follows: | Various attempts to find an etymon are as follows: | ||
− | Before 1950 – all are reductions of the historical variety to an original unity: | + | Before 1950 – all are reductions of the historical variety to an original {{Wiki|unity}}: |
− | Bopp (1830): ar- "to go, to move", read as "one who roams" (like a nomad) | + | Bopp (1830): ar- "to go, to move", read as "one who roams" (like a {{Wiki|nomad}}) |
Müller (1862): ar- "to plough", read as "cultivator of the land" | Müller (1862): ar- "to plough", read as "cultivator of the land" | ||
Güntert (1924): ar- "to fit", read as "allied, friendly" | Güntert (1924): ar- "to fit", read as "allied, friendly" | ||
Thieme (1938): ar- "to give, allot, share", read as "hospitable" | Thieme (1938): ar- "to give, allot, share", read as "hospitable" | ||
− | After 1950 – all treat the autonym as distinct from similar-looking words: | + | After 1950 – all treat the autonym as {{Wiki|distinct}} from similar-looking words: |
Laroche (1957): ara- "to fit", read as "fitting, proper" | Laroche (1957): ara- "to fit", read as "fitting, proper" | ||
Dumézil (1958): ar- "to share", read as a uniting property of "appartenant au monde aryen" | Dumézil (1958): ar- "to share", read as a uniting property of "appartenant au monde aryen" | ||
Line 44: | Line 53: | ||
Benveniste (1969): ar- "to fit", read as "companionable" | Benveniste (1969): ar- "to fit", read as "companionable" | ||
− | A review of these and numerous other ideas, and the various problems with each is given by Oswald Szemerényi. | + | A review of these and numerous other [[ideas]], and the various problems with each is given by Oswald Szemerényi. |
− | Usage and adaptation in other languages | + | Usage and [[adaptation]] in other [[languages]] |
− | In Indian/Sanskrit literature | + | In Indian/Sanskrit {{Wiki|literature}} |
− | In Sanskrit and related Indic languages, Arya refers to one who does Noble deeds . Āryāvarta (Sanskrit: आर्यावर्त, "abode of the Aryans") is a name for Northern India in classical Sanskrit literature. The Manu Smriti (2.22) gives the name to "the tract between the Himalaya and the Vindhya ranges, from the eastern to the Western Sea" The title of Arya was used with various modifications throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Kharavela, the Emperor of Kalinga around 1 BCE is referred as an Arya in the Hatigumpha inscriptions of the Khandagiri–Udaigiri cave complex in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The Gurjara Pratihara rulers in the tenth century was entitled as Maharajadhiraja of Āryāvarta ('the lord of great kings of the land of the Aryans'). Various Indian religions, chiefly Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism use the term Arya as an epithet of honour and it occurs as such in their religious texts and groups such as the Arya Samaj. | + | In [[Sanskrit]] and related [[Indic]] [[languages]], [[Arya]] refers to one who does [[Noble]] [[deeds]] . [[Āryāvarta]] ([[Sanskrit]]: आर्यावर्त, "[[abode]] of the [[Aryans]]") is a [[name]] for {{Wiki|Northern India}} in classical [[Sanskrit]] {{Wiki|literature}}. The [[Manu]] [[Smriti]] (2.22) gives the [[name]] to "the tract between the [[Himalaya]] and the [[Vindhya]] ranges, from the eastern to the [[Western]] Sea" The title of [[Arya]] was used with various modifications throughout the [[Indian]] Subcontinent. Kharavela, the [[Emperor]] of [[Kalinga]] around 1 BCE is referred as an [[Arya]] in the Hatigumpha {{Wiki|inscriptions}} of the Khandagiri–Udaigiri {{Wiki|cave}} complex in [[Bhubaneswar]], {{Wiki|Orissa}}. The [[Gurjara]] [[Pratihara]] rulers in the tenth century was entitled as Maharajadhiraja of [[Āryāvarta]] ('the [[lord]] of great [[kings]] of the land of the [[Aryans]]'). Various [[Indian]] [[religions]], chiefly [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]] use the term [[Arya]] as an [[epithet]] of honour and it occurs as such in their [[religious]] texts and groups such as the [[Arya]] Samaj. |
− | In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Arya is used as an honorific for many characters including Hanuman and Ravana. | + | In the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} and {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Arya]] is used as an honorific for many characters [[including]] [[Hanuman]] and {{Wiki|Ravana}}. |
− | Indo-European language throughout Europe and the Middle East 500 BCE. | + | {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[language]] throughout {{Wiki|Europe}} and the {{Wiki|Middle East}} 500 BCE. |
− | In Thai usage | + | In [[Thai]] usage |
− | In Iranian literature | + | In {{Wiki|Iranian}} {{Wiki|literature}} |
− | Unlike the several meanings connected with ārya- in Old Indic, the Old Iranian term has solely an ethnic meaning. That is in contrast to Indian usage, in which several secondary meanings evolved, the meaning of ar- as a self-identifier is preserved in Iranian usage, hence the words "Iran"/"Iranian" themselves. Iranian airya meant and means "Iranian", and Iranian anairya meant and means "non-Iranian". Arya may also be found as an ethnonym in Iranian languages, e.g., Alan/Persian Iran and Ossetian Ir/Iron | + | Unlike the several meanings connected with [[ārya]]- in Old [[Indic]], the Old {{Wiki|Iranian}} term has solely an {{Wiki|ethnic}} [[meaning]]. That is in contrast to [[Indian]] usage, in which several secondary meanings evolved, the [[meaning]] of ar- as a self-identifier is preserved in {{Wiki|Iranian}} usage, hence the words "Iran"/"Iranian" themselves. {{Wiki|Iranian}} airya meant and means "{{Wiki|Iranian}}", and {{Wiki|Iranian}} anairya meant and means "non-Iranian". [[Arya]] may also be found as an ethnonym in {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[languages]], e.g., Alan/Persian {{Wiki|Iran}} and Ossetian Ir/Iron |
− | The name Iran, Iranian is itself equivalent to Aryan, where Iran means "land of the Aryans," and has been in use since Sassanid times | + | The [[name]] {{Wiki|Iran}}, {{Wiki|Iranian}} is itself {{Wiki|equivalent}} to [[Aryan]], where {{Wiki|Iran}} means "land of the [[Aryans]]," and has been in use since [[Sassanid]] times |
− | The Avesta clearly uses airya/airyan as an ethnic name (Vd. 1; Yt. 13.143-44, etc.), where it appears in expressions such as airyāfi; daiŋˊhāvō "Iranian lands, peoples", airyō.šayanəm "land inhabited by Iranians", and airyanəm vaējō vaŋhuyāfi; dāityayāfi; "Iranian stretch of the good Dāityā", the river Oxus, the modern Āmū Daryā. Old Persian sources also use this term for Iranians. Old Persian which is a testament to the antiquity of the Persian language and which is related to most of the languages/dialects spoken in Iran including modern Persian, Kurdish, Gilaki and Baluchi makes it clear that Iranians referred to themselves as Arya. | + | The [[Avesta]] clearly uses airya/airyan as an {{Wiki|ethnic}} [[name]] (Vd. 1; Yt. 13.143-44, etc.), where it appears in {{Wiki|expressions}} such as airyāfi; daiŋˊhāvō "{{Wiki|Iranian}} lands, peoples", airyō.šayanəm "land inhabited by Iranians", and airyanəm vaējō vaŋhuyāfi; dāityayāfi; "{{Wiki|Iranian}} stretch of the good Dāityā", the [[river]] {{Wiki|Oxus}}, the {{Wiki|modern}} Āmū Daryā. Old [[Persian]] sources also use this term for Iranians. Old [[Persian]] which is a testament to the antiquity of the [[Persian]] [[language]] and which is related to most of the languages/dialects spoken in {{Wiki|Iran}} [[including]] {{Wiki|modern}} [[Persian]], Kurdish, Gilaki and Baluchi makes it clear that Iranians referred to themselves as [[Arya]]. |
− | The term "Airya/Airyan" appears in the royal Old Persian inscriptions in three different contexts: | + | The term "Airya/Airyan" appears in the {{Wiki|royal}} Old [[Persian]] {{Wiki|inscriptions}} in three different contexts: |
− | As the name of the language of the Old Persian version of the inscription of Darius the Great in Behistun | + | As the [[name]] of the [[language]] of the Old [[Persian]] version of the inscription of [[Darius]] the [[Great]] in [[Behistun]] |
− | As the ethnic background of Darius in inscriptions at Naqsh-e-Rostam and Susa (Dna, Dse) and Xerxes in the inscription from Persepolis (Xph) | + | As the {{Wiki|ethnic}} background of [[Darius]] in {{Wiki|inscriptions}} at Naqsh-e-Rostam and Susa ({{Wiki|Dna}}, Dse) and [[Xerxes]] in the inscription from Persepolis (Xph) |
− | As the definition of the God of Aryan people, Ahuramazda, in the Elamite version of the Behistun inscription. | + | As the [[definition]] of the [[God]] of [[Aryan]] [[people]], Ahuramazda, in the [[Elamite]] version of the [[Behistun inscription]]. |
− | For example in the Dna and Dse Darius and Xerxes describe themselves as "An Achaemenian, A Persian son of a Persian and an Aryan, of Aryan stock". Although Darius the Great called his language the Aryan language, modern scholars refer to it as Old Persian because it is the ancestor of modern Persian language. | + | For example in the {{Wiki|Dna}} and Dse [[Darius]] and [[Xerxes]] describe themselves as "An Achaemenian, A [[Persian]] son of a [[Persian]] and an [[Aryan]], of [[Aryan]] stock". Although [[Darius]] the [[Great]] called his [[language]] the [[Aryan]] [[language]], {{Wiki|modern}} [[scholars]] refer to it as Old [[Persian]] because it is the {{Wiki|ancestor}} of {{Wiki|modern}} [[Persian]] [[language]]. |
− | The Old Persian and Avestan evidence is confirmed by the Greek sources". Herodotus in his Histories remarks about the Iranian Medes that: "These Medes were called anciently by all people Arians; " (7.62). In Armenian sources, the Parthians, Medes and Persians are collectively referred to as Aryans. Eudemus of Rhodes apud Damascius (Dubitationes et solutiones in Platonis Parmenidem 125 bis) refers to "the Magi and all those of Iranian (áreion) lineage"; Diodorus Siculus (1.94.2) considers Zoroaster (Zathraustēs) as one of the Arianoi. | + | The Old [[Persian]] and [[Avestan]] {{Wiki|evidence}} is confirmed by the {{Wiki|Greek}} sources". {{Wiki|Herodotus}} in his Histories remarks about the {{Wiki|Iranian}} Medes that: "These Medes were called anciently by all [[people]] [[Arians]]; " (7.62). In {{Wiki|Armenian}} sources, the [[Parthians]], Medes and {{Wiki|Persians}} are collectively referred to as [[Aryans]]. Eudemus of Rhodes apud Damascius (Dubitationes et solutiones in Platonis Parmenidem 125 bis) refers to "the Magi and all those of {{Wiki|Iranian}} (áreion) [[lineage]]"; Diodorus Siculus (1.94.2) considers {{Wiki|Zoroaster}} (Zathraustēs) as one of the Arianoi. |
− | Strabo, in his "Geography", mentions the unity of Medes, Persians, Bactrians and Sogdians : | + | {{Wiki|Strabo}}, in his "{{Wiki|Geography}}", mentions the {{Wiki|unity}} of Medes, {{Wiki|Persians}}, {{Wiki|Bactrians}} and [[Sogdians]] : |
− | The name of Ariana is further extended to a part of Persia and of Media, as also to the Bactrians and Sogdians on the north; for these speak approximately the same language, with but slight variations. | + | The [[name]] of Ariana is further extended to a part of {{Wiki|Persia}} and of Media, as also to the {{Wiki|Bactrians}} and [[Sogdians]] on the {{Wiki|north}}; for these speak approximately the same [[language]], with but slight variations. |
− | — Geography, 15.8 | + | — {{Wiki|Geography}}, 15.8 |
− | The trilingual inscription erected by Shapur's command gives us a more clear description. The languages used are Parthian, Middle Persian and Greek. In Greek the inscription says: "ego ... tou Arianon ethnous despotes eimi" which translates to "I am the king of the Aryans". In the Middle Persian Shapour says: "I am the Lord of the EranShahr" and in Parthian he says: "I am the Lord of AryanShahr". | + | The trilingual inscription erected by Shapur's command gives {{Wiki|us}} a more clear description. The [[languages]] used are [[Wikipedia:Parthian Empire|Parthian]], Middle [[Persian]] and {{Wiki|Greek}}. In {{Wiki|Greek}} the inscription says: "[[ego]] ... tou Arianon ethnous despotes eimi" which translates to "I am the [[king]] of the [[Aryans]]". In the Middle [[Persian]] Shapour says: "I am the [[Lord]] of the EranShahr" and in [[Wikipedia:Parthian Empire|Parthian]] he says: "I am the [[Lord]] of AryanShahr". |
− | The Bactrian language (a Middle Iranian language) inscription of Kanishka the founder of the Kushan empire at Rabatak, which was discovered in 1993 in an unexcavated site in the Afghanistan province of Baghlan clearly refers to this Eastern Iranian language as Arya In the post-Islamic era one can still see a clear usage of the term Aryan (Iran) in the work of the 10th century historian Hamzeh Isfahani. In his famous book "the history of Prophets and Kings" writes: "Aryan which is also called Pars(Persia) is in the middle of these countries and these six countries surround it because the South East is in the hands China, the North of the Turks, the middle South is India, the middle North is Rome, and the South West and the North West is the Sudan and Berber lands". All this evidence shows that the name arya "Iranian" was a collective definition, denoting peoples (Geiger, pp. 167 f.; Schmitt, 1978, p. 31) who were aware of belonging to the one ethnic stock, speaking a common language, and having a religious tradition that centered on the cult of Ahura Mazdā. | + | The [[Wikipedia:Bactria|Bactrian]] [[language]] (a Middle {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[language]]) inscription of [[Kanishka]] the founder of the {{Wiki|Kushan}} [[empire]] at Rabatak, which was discovered in 1993 in an unexcavated site in the {{Wiki|Afghanistan}} province of Baghlan clearly refers to this Eastern {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[language]] as [[Arya]] In the post-Islamic {{Wiki|era}} one can still see a clear usage of the term [[Aryan]] ({{Wiki|Iran}}) in the work of the 10th century historian Hamzeh Isfahani. In his famous [[book]] "the {{Wiki|history}} of {{Wiki|Prophets}} and [[Kings]]" writes: "[[Aryan]] which is also called Pars(Persia) is in the middle of these countries and these six countries surround it because the {{Wiki|South}} {{Wiki|East}} is in the hands [[China]], the {{Wiki|North}} of the [[Turks]], the middle {{Wiki|South}} is [[India]], the middle {{Wiki|North}} is {{Wiki|Rome}}, and the {{Wiki|South}} {{Wiki|West}} and the {{Wiki|North}} {{Wiki|West}} is the Sudan and Berber lands". All this {{Wiki|evidence}} shows that the [[name]] [[arya]] "{{Wiki|Iranian}}" was a collective [[definition]], denoting peoples (Geiger, pp. 167 f.; Schmitt, 1978, p. 31) who were {{Wiki|aware}} of belonging to the one {{Wiki|ethnic}} stock, {{Wiki|speaking}} a common [[language]], and having a [[religious]] [[tradition]] that centered on the {{Wiki|cult}} of [[Ahura]] Mazdā. |
− | In Iranian context the original self-identifier lives on in ethnic names like "Alani", "Ir". Similarly, The word Iran is the Persian word for land/place of the Aryan (see also Iranian peoples). | + | In {{Wiki|Iranian}} context the original self-identifier [[lives]] on in {{Wiki|ethnic}} names like "[[Alani]]", "Ir". Similarly, The [[word]] {{Wiki|Iran}} is the [[Persian]] [[word]] for land/place of the [[Aryan]] (see also {{Wiki|Iranian}} peoples). |
− | In Latin literature | + | In {{Wiki|Latin}} {{Wiki|literature}} |
− | The history of the form Arian as a loan word began in 1601 when Philemon Holland substituted the phrase "region of the Arians" for Ariana the Latin rendering for the land mainly east of ancient Persia in his translation of Pliny's Natural History. This was the first known usage of the form Arian/Aryan in the west. When it was determined that Iranian languages — both living and ancient — used a similar term in much the same way (but in the Iranian context as a self-identifier of Iranian peoples), it became apparent that the shared meaning had to derive from the ancestor language of the shared past, and so, by the early 19th century, the form Arian came to refer to the group of languages deriving from that ancestor language, and by extension, the speakers of those languages. In 1844 James Cowles Prichard first designated both the Indians and the Iranians "Arians" under the false assumption that the Iranians as well as the Indians self-designated themselves Aria. The Iranians did use the form Airya as a designation for the "Aryans," but Prichard had mistook Aria (deriving from OPer. Haravia) as a designation of the "Aryans" and associated the Aria with the place-name Ariana (Av. Airyana), the homeland of the Aryans. The form Aria as a designation of the "Aryans" was, however, only preserved in the language of the Indo-Aryans. | + | The {{Wiki|history}} of the [[form]] Arian as a loan [[word]] began in 1601 when Philemon [[Holland]] substituted the [[phrase]] "region of the [[Arians]]" for Ariana the {{Wiki|Latin}} rendering for the land mainly {{Wiki|east}} of {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Persia}} in his translation of Pliny's Natural {{Wiki|History}}. This was the first known usage of the [[form]] Arian/Aryan in the {{Wiki|west}}. When it was determined that {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[languages]] — both living and {{Wiki|ancient}} — used a similar term in much the same way (but in the {{Wiki|Iranian}} context as a self-identifier of {{Wiki|Iranian}} peoples), it became apparent that the shared [[meaning]] had to derive from the {{Wiki|ancestor}} [[language]] of the shared {{Wiki|past}}, and so, by the early 19th century, the [[form]] Arian came to refer to the group of [[languages]] deriving from that {{Wiki|ancestor}} [[language]], and by extension, the speakers of those [[languages]]. In 1844 James Cowles Prichard first designated both the {{Wiki|Indians}} and the Iranians "[[Arians]]" under the false assumption that the Iranians as well as the {{Wiki|Indians}} self-designated themselves Aria. The Iranians did use the [[form]] Airya as a designation for the "[[Aryans]]," but Prichard had mistook Aria (deriving from OPer. Haravia) as a designation of the "[[Aryans]]" and associated the Aria with the place-name Ariana (Av. Airyana), the homeland of the [[Aryans]]. The [[form]] Aria as a designation of the "[[Aryans]]" was, however, only preserved in the [[language]] of the [[Indo-Aryans]]. |
− | In European languages | + | In {{Wiki|European}} [[languages]] |
− | The term "Aryan" came to be used as the term for the Indo-European language group, and by extension, the original speakers of those languages. In the 19th century, "language" was considered a property of "ethnicity", and thus the speakers of the Indo-Persian or Indo-European languages came to be called the "Aryan race", as contradistinguished from what came to be called the "Semitic race". By the late 19th century, among some people, the notions of an "Aryan race" became closely linked to Nordicism, which posited Northern European racial superiority over all other peoples. This "master race" ideal engendered both the "Aryanization" programs of Nazi Germany, in which the classification of people as "Aryan" and "non-Aryan" was most emphatically directed towards the exclusion of Jews. By the end of World War II, the word 'Aryan' had become associated by many with the racial theories and atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. | + | The term "[[Aryan]]" came to be used as the term for the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[language]] group, and by extension, the original speakers of those [[languages]]. In the 19th century, "[[language]]" was considered a property of "ethnicity", and thus the speakers of the Indo-Persian or {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[languages]] came to be called the "[[Aryan]] race", as contradistinguished from what came to be called the "Semitic race". By the late 19th century, among some [[people]], the notions of an "[[Aryan]] race" became closely linked to Nordicism, which posited [[Northern]] {{Wiki|European}} racial {{Wiki|superiority}} over all other peoples. This "[[master]] race" {{Wiki|ideal}} engendered both the "Aryanization" programs of {{Wiki|Nazi}} {{Wiki|Germany}}, in which the {{Wiki|classification}} of [[people]] as "[[Aryan]]" and "non-Aryan" was most emphatically directed towards the exclusion of [[Jews]]. By the end of [[World]] [[War]] II, the [[word]] '[[Aryan]]' had become associated by many with the racial theories and atrocities committed by the {{Wiki|Nazi}} regime. |
− | History | + | {{Wiki|History}} |
Before the 19th century | Before the 19th century | ||
− | While the original meaning of Indo-Iranian *arya as a self-designator is uncontested, the origin of the word (and thus also its original meaning) remains uncertain. Indo-Iranian ar- is a syllable ambiguous in origin, from Indo-European ar-, er-, or or-. No evidence for a Proto-Indo-European (as opposed to Indo-Iranian) ethnic name like "Aryan" has been found. | + | While the original [[meaning]] of [[Indo-Iranian]] *[[arya]] as a self-designator is uncontested, the origin of the [[word]] (and thus also its original [[meaning]]) {{Wiki|remains}} uncertain. [[Indo-Iranian]] ar- is a {{Wiki|syllable}} {{Wiki|ambiguous}} in origin, from {{Wiki|Indo-European}} ar-, er-, or or-. No {{Wiki|evidence}} for a {{Wiki|Proto-Indo-European}} (as opposed to [[Indo-Iranian]]) {{Wiki|ethnic}} [[name]] like "[[Aryan]]" has been found. |
− | The meaning of 'Aryan' that was adopted into the English language in the late 18th century was the one associated with the technical term used in comparative philology, which in turn had the same meaning as that evident in the very oldest Old Indic usage, i.e. as a (self-) identifier of "(speakers of) North Indian languages". This usage was simultaneously influenced by a word that appeared in classical sources (Latin and Greek Ἀριάνης Arianes, e.g. in Pliny 1.133 and Strabo 15.2.1-8), and recognized to be the same as that which appeared in living Iranian languages, where it was a (self-)identifier of the "(speakers of) Iranian languages". Accordingly, 'Aryan' came to refer to the languages of the Indo-Iranian language group, and by extension, native speakers of those languages. | + | The [[meaning]] of '[[Aryan]]' that was adopted into the {{Wiki|English}} [[language]] in the late 18th century was the one associated with the technical term used in comparative {{Wiki|philology}}, which in turn had the same [[meaning]] as that evident in the very oldest Old [[Indic]] usage, i.e. as a ([[self]]-) identifier of "(speakers of) {{Wiki|North}} [[Indian]] [[languages]]". This usage was simultaneously influenced by a [[word]] that appeared in classical sources ({{Wiki|Latin}} and {{Wiki|Greek}} Ἀριάνης Arianes, e.g. in Pliny 1.133 and {{Wiki|Strabo}} 15.2.1-8), and [[recognized]] to be the same as that which appeared in living {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[languages]], where it was a (self-)identifier of the "(speakers of) {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[languages]]". Accordingly, '[[Aryan]]' came to refer to the [[languages]] of the [[Indo-Iranian]] [[language]] group, and by extension, native speakers of those [[languages]]. |
− | Vedic Sanskrit | + | {{Wiki|Vedic Sanskrit}} |
− | The term Arya is used 36 times in 34 hymns in the Rigveda. According to Talageri (2000, The Rig Veda. A Historical Analysis) "the particular Vedic Aryans of the Rigveda were one section among these Purus, who called themselves Bharatas." Thus it is possible, according to Talageri, that at one point Arya did refer to a specific tribe. "Brahma of glory is he to whom both the Aryans and the Dasas belong" (RV 8.8.9). | + | The term [[Arya]] is used 36 times in 34 hymns in the [[Rigveda]]. According to Talageri (2000, The {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}. A Historical [[Analysis]]) "the particular {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[Aryans]] of the [[Rigveda]] were one section among these Purus, who called themselves Bharatas." Thus it is possible, according to Talageri, that at one point [[Arya]] did refer to a specific tribe. "[[Brahma]] of glory is he to whom both the [[Aryans]] and the Dasas belong" (RV 8.8.9). |
− | While the word may ultimately derive from a tribal name, already in the Rigveda it appears as a religious distinction, separating those who sacrifice "properly" from those who do not belong to the historical Vedic religion, presaging the usage in later Hinduism where the term comes to denote religious righteousness or piety. In RV 9.63.5, ârya "noble, pious, righteous" is used as contrasting with árāvan "not liberal, envious, hostile": | + | While the [[word]] may ultimately derive from a tribal [[name]], already in the [[Rigveda]] it appears as a [[religious]] {{Wiki|distinction}}, separating those who {{Wiki|sacrifice}} "properly" from those who do not belong to the historical {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[religion]], presaging the usage in later [[Hinduism]] where the term comes to denote [[religious]] [[righteousness]] or piety. In RV 9.63.5, [[ârya]] "[[noble]], pious, righteous" is used as contrasting with árāvan "not liberal, envious, {{Wiki|hostile}}": |
índraṃ várdhanto aptúraḥ kṛṇvánto víśvam âryam apaghnánto árāvṇaḥ | índraṃ várdhanto aptúraḥ kṛṇvánto víśvam âryam apaghnánto árāvṇaḥ | ||
− | "[the Soma-drops], performing every noble work, active, augmenting Indra's strength, driving away the godless ones." (trans. Griffith) | + | "[the Soma-drops], performing every [[noble]] work, active, augmenting [[Indra's]] strength, driving away the godless ones." (trans. Griffith) |
− | Sanskrit Epics | + | [[Sanskrit]] Epics |
− | Arya and Anarya are primarily used in the moral sense in the Hindu Epics. People are usually called Arya or Anarya based on their behaviour. Arya is typically one who follows Dharmic principles. This is historically applicable for any person living anywhere in Bharata Varsha or vast India. | + | [[Arya]] and Anarya are primarily used in the [[moral]] [[sense]] in the [[Hindu]] Epics. [[People]] are usually called [[Arya]] or Anarya based on their {{Wiki|behaviour}}. [[Arya]] is typically one who follows [[Dharmic]] {{Wiki|principles}}. This is historically applicable for any [[person]] living anywhere in [[Wikipedia:Bharata (emperor)|Bharata]] [[Varsha]] or vast [[India]]. |
− | Ramayana | + | {{Wiki|Ramayana}} |
− | In the Ramayana, the term Arya can also apply to Raksasas or to Ravana. In several instances, the Vanaras and Raksasas called themselves Arya. The vanara's king Sugriva is called an Arya (Ram: 505102712) and he also speaks of his brother Vali as an Arya (Ram: 402402434). In another instance in the Ramayana, Ravana regards himself and his ministers as Aryas (Ram: A logical explanation is that, Ravana and his ministers belonged to the highest varna (Ravana being a Brahmin), and Brahmins were generally considered 'noble' of deed and hence called Arya (noble). Thus, while Ravana was considered Arya (and regarded himself as such), he was not really an Arya because he was not noble of deeds. So, he is widely considered by Hindus as Anarya (non-Arya). | + | In the {{Wiki|Ramayana}}, the term [[Arya]] can also apply to [[Raksasas]] or to {{Wiki|Ravana}}. In several instances, the [[Vanaras]] and [[Raksasas]] called themselves [[Arya]]. The vanara's [[king]] [[Sugriva]] is called an [[Arya]] ([[Ram]]: 505102712) and he also speaks of his brother Vali as an [[Arya]] ([[Ram]]: 402402434). In another instance in the {{Wiki|Ramayana}}, {{Wiki|Ravana}} regards himself and his ministers as [[Aryas]] ([[Ram]]: A [[logical]] explanation is that, {{Wiki|Ravana}} and his ministers belonged to the [[highest]] [[varna]] ({{Wiki|Ravana}} {{Wiki|being}} a [[Brahmin]]), and [[Brahmins]] were generally considered '[[noble]]' of [[deed]] and hence called [[Arya]] ([[noble]]). Thus, while {{Wiki|Ravana}} was considered [[Arya]] (and regarded himself as such), he was not really an [[Arya]] because he was not [[noble]] of [[deeds]]. So, he is widely considered by [[Hindus]] as Anarya (non-Arya). |
− | The Ramayana describes Rama as: arya sarva samascaiva sadaiva priyadarsanah, meaning "Arya, who worked for the equality of all and was dear to everyone." | + | The {{Wiki|Ramayana}} describes {{Wiki|Rama}} as: [[arya]] sarva samascaiva sadaiva priyadarsanah, [[meaning]] "[[Arya]], who worked for the [[equality]] of all and was dear to everyone." |
− | Mahabharata | + | {{Wiki|Mahabharata}} |
− | In the Mahabharata, the terms Arya or Anarya are often applied to people according to their behaviour. Dushasana, who tried to disrobe Draupadi in the Kaurava court, is called an "Anarya" (Mbh:0020600253). Vidura, the son of a Dasi born from Vyasa, was the only person in the assembly whose behaviour is called "Arya", because he was the only one who openly protested when Draupadi was being disrobed by Dushasana. The Pandavas called themselves "Anarya" in the Mahabharata (0071670471) when they killed Drona through deception. | + | In the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, the terms [[Arya]] or Anarya are often applied to [[people]] according to their {{Wiki|behaviour}}. Dushasana, who tried to [[disrobe]] [[Draupadi]] in the [[Kaurava]] court, is called an "Anarya" (Mbh:0020600253). [[Vidura]], the son of a Dasi born from [[Vyasa]], was the only [[person]] in the assembly whose {{Wiki|behaviour}} is called "[[Arya]]", because he was the only one who openly protested when [[Draupadi]] was {{Wiki|being}} [[disrobed]] by Dushasana. The {{Wiki|Pandavas}} called themselves "Anarya" in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}} (0071670471) when they killed [[Drona]] through [[deception]]. |
− | According to the Mahabharata, a person's behaviour (not wealth or learning) determines if he can be called an Arya. Also the whole Kuru clan was called as Arya . | + | According to the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, a person's {{Wiki|behaviour}} (not [[wealth]] or {{Wiki|learning}}) determines if he can be called an [[Arya]]. Also the whole [[Kuru]] {{Wiki|clan}} was called as [[Arya]] . |
− | Religious use | + | [[Religious]] use |
− | The word ārya is often found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts. In the Indian spiritual context it can be applied to Rishis or to someone who has mastered the four noble truths and entered upon the spiritual path. The religions of India are sometimes called collectively ārya dharma, a term that includes the religions that originated in India (e.g. Hinduism , Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism). | + | The [[word]] [[ārya]] is often found in [[Hindu]], [[Buddhist]], and [[Jain]] texts. In the [[Indian]] [[spiritual]] context it can be applied to {{Wiki|Rishis}} or to someone who has mastered the [[four noble truths]] and entered upon the [[spiritual]] [[path]]. The [[religions]] of [[India]] are sometimes called collectively [[ārya]] [[dharma]], a term that includes the [[religions]] that originated in [[India]] (e.g. [[Hinduism]] , [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], {{Wiki|Sikhism}}). |
− | Hinduism | + | [[Hinduism]] |
− | "O my Lord, a person who is chanting Your holy name, although born of a low family like that of a Chandala, is situated on the highest platform of self-realization. Such a person must have performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to Vedic literatures many, many times after taking bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage. Such a person is considered to be the best of the Arya family" (Bhagavata Purana 3.33.7). | + | "O my [[Lord]], a [[person]] who is [[chanting]] Your {{Wiki|holy}} [[name]], although born of a low [[family]] like that of a [[Chandala]], is situated on the [[highest]] platform of [[self-realization]]. Such a [[person]] must have performed all kinds of penances and [[sacrifices]] according to {{Wiki|Vedic}} literatures many, many times after taking bath in all the {{Wiki|holy}} places of [[pilgrimage]]. Such a [[person]] is considered to be the best of the [[Arya]] [[family]]" ({{Wiki|Bhagavata Purana}} 3.33.7). |
− | According to Swami Vivekananda, "A child materially born is not an Arya; the child born in spirituality is an Arya." He further elaborated, referring to the Manu Smriti: "Says our great law-giver, Manu, giving the definition of an Arya, 'He is the Arya, who is born through prayer.' Every child not born through prayer is illegitimate, according to the great law-giver: "The child must be prayed for. Those children that come with curses, that slip into the world, just in a moment of inadvertence, because that could not be prevented - what can we expect of such progeny?..."(Swami Vivekananda, Complete Works vol.8) | + | According to [[Swami Vivekananda]], "A child materially born is not an [[Arya]]; the child born in [[spirituality]] is an [[Arya]]." He further elaborated, referring to the [[Manu]] [[Smriti]]: "Says our great law-giver, [[Manu]], giving the [[definition]] of an [[Arya]], 'He is the [[Arya]], who is born through [[prayer]].' Every child not born through [[prayer]] is illegitimate, according to the great law-giver: "The child must be prayed for. Those children that come with curses, that slip into the [[world]], just in a [[moment]] of inadvertence, because that could not be prevented - what can we expect of such progeny?..."(Swami [[Vivekananda]], Complete Works vol.8) |
− | Swami Dayananda founded a Dharmic organisation Arya Samaj in 1875. Sri Aurobindo published a journal combining nationalism and spiritualism under the title Arya from 1914 to 1921. | + | [[Swami]] Dayananda founded a [[Dharmic]] organisation [[Arya]] Samaj in 1875. {{Wiki|Sri Aurobindo}} published a journal [[combining]] [[nationalism]] and [[spiritualism]] under the title [[Arya]] from 1914 to 1921. |
− | Buddhism | + | [[Buddhism]] |
− | The word ārya (Pāli: ariya), in the sense "noble" or "exalted", is very frequently used in Buddhist texts to designate a spiritual warrior or hero, which use this term much more often than Hindu or Jain texts. Buddha's Dharma and Vinaya are the ariyassa dhammavinayo. The Four Noble Truths are called the catvāry āryasatyāni (Sanskrit) or cattāri ariyasaccāni (Pali). The Noble Eightfold Path is called the āryamārga (Sanskrit, also āryāṣṭāṅgikamārga) or ariyamagga (Pāli). Buddhists themselves are called ariyapuggalas (Arya persons). In Buddhist texts, the āryas are those who have the Buddhist śīla (Pāli sīla, meaning "virtue") and follow the Buddhist path. Those who despise Buddhism are often called "anāryas". | + | The [[word]] [[ārya]] ([[Pāli]]: [[ariya]]), in the [[sense]] "[[noble]]" or "[[exalted]]", is very frequently used in [[Buddhist texts]] to designate a [[spiritual]] [[warrior]] or [[hero]], which use this term much more often than [[Hindu]] or [[Jain]] texts. [[Buddha's]] [[Dharma]] and [[Vinaya]] are the [[ariyassa dhammavinayo]]. The [[Four Noble Truths]] are called the catvāry [[āryasatyāni]] ([[Sanskrit]]) or [[cattāri ariyasaccāni]] ([[Pali]]). The [[Noble Eightfold Path]] is called the āryamārga ([[Sanskrit]], also [[āryāṣṭāṅgikamārga]]) or [[ariyamagga]] ([[Pāli]]). [[Buddhists]] themselves are called [[ariyapuggalas]] ([[Arya]] persons). In [[Buddhist texts]], the [[āryas]] are those who have the [[Buddhist]] [[śīla]] ([[Pāli]] [[sīla]], [[meaning]] "[[virtue]]") and follow the [[Buddhist path]]. Those who despise [[Buddhism]] are often called "[[anāryas]]". |
− | Jainism | + | [[Jainism]] |
− | The word Arya is also often used in Jainism, in Jain texts such as the Pannavanasutta. | + | The [[word]] [[Arya]] is also often used in [[Jainism]], in [[Jain]] texts such as the Pannavanasutta. |
19th century | 19th century | ||
− | In the 19th century, linguists still supposed that the age of a language determined its "superiority" (because it was assumed to have genealogical purity). Then, based on the assumption that Sanskrit was the oldest Indo-European language, and the (now known to be untenable) position that Irish Éire was etymologically related to "Aryan", in 1837 Adolphe Pictet popularized the idea that the term "Aryan" could also be applied to the entire Indo-European language family as well. The groundwork for this had been laid in 1808, when Friedrich Schlegel, a German scholar who was an important early Indo-Europeanist, came up with a theory that linked the Indo-Iranian words with the German word Ehre, 'honor', and older Germanic names containing the element ario-, such as the Swiss warrior Ariovistus who was written about by Julius Caesar Schlegel theorized that far from being just a designation of the Indo-Iranians, the word *arya- had in fact been what the Indo-Europeans called themselves, meaning [according to Schlegel] something like 'the honorable people.' (This theory has since been called into question.) | + | In the 19th century, linguists still supposed that the age of a [[language]] determined its "{{Wiki|superiority}}" (because it was assumed to have genealogical [[purity]]). Then, based on the assumption that [[Sanskrit]] was the oldest {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[language]], and the (now known to be untenable) position that Irish Éire was {{Wiki|etymologically}} related to "[[Aryan]]", in 1837 Adolphe Pictet popularized the [[idea]] that the term "[[Aryan]]" could also be applied to the entire {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[language]] [[family]] as well. The groundwork for this had been laid in 1808, when Friedrich [[Schlegel]], a {{Wiki|German}} [[scholar]] who was an important early Indo-Europeanist, came up with a {{Wiki|theory}} that linked the [[Indo-Iranian]] words with the {{Wiki|German}} [[word]] Ehre, '{{Wiki|honor}}', and older {{Wiki|Germanic}} names containing the [[element]] ario-, such as the {{Wiki|Swiss}} [[warrior]] Ariovistus who was written about by Julius [[Caesar]] [[Schlegel]] theorized that far from {{Wiki|being}} just a designation of the Indo-Iranians, the [[word]] *[[arya]]- had in fact been what the [[Indo-Europeans]] called themselves, [[meaning]] [according to [[Schlegel]]] something like 'the honorable [[people]].' (This {{Wiki|theory}} has since been called into question.) |
− | Following this linguistic argument, in the 1850s Arthur de Gobineau supposed that "Aryan" corresponded to the suggested prehistoric Indo-European culture (1853–1855, Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races). Further, de Gobineau believed that there were three basic races – white, yellow and black – and that everything else was caused by race miscegenation, which de Gobineau argued was the cause of chaos. The "master race", according to de Gobineau, were the Northern European "Aryans", who had remained "racially pure". Southern Europeans (to include Spaniards and Southern Frenchmen), Eastern Europeans, North Africans, Middle Easterners, Iranians, {{Wiki|Central | + | Following this {{Wiki|linguistic}} argument, in the 1850s Arthur de Gobineau supposed that "[[Aryan]]" corresponded to the suggested prehistoric {{Wiki|Indo-European}} {{Wiki|culture}} (1853–1855, Essay on the Inequality of the [[Human]] Races). Further, de Gobineau believed that there were three basic races – white, [[yellow]] and black – and that everything else was [[caused]] by race miscegenation, which de Gobineau argued was the [[cause]] of {{Wiki|chaos}}. The "[[master]] race", according to de Gobineau, were the [[Northern]] {{Wiki|European}} "[[Aryans]]", who had remained "racially [[pure]]". Southern {{Wiki|Europeans}} (to include Spaniards and Southern Frenchmen), Eastern {{Wiki|Europeans}}, {{Wiki|North}} Africans, Middle Easterners, Iranians, {{Wiki|{{Wiki|Central Asia}}n}}s, {{Wiki|Indians}}, he all considered racially mixed, degenerated through the miscegenation, and thus less than {{Wiki|ideal}}. |
− | The earliest epigraphically-attested reference to the word ariya occurs in the 6th century BCE Behistun inscription, which describes itself to have been composed "in ariya [language or script]" (¶ 70). As is also the case for all other Old Iranian language usage, the ariya of the inscription does not signify anything but "Iranian". | + | The earliest epigraphically-attested reference to the [[word]] [[ariya]] occurs in the 6th century BCE [[Behistun inscription]], which describes itself to have been composed "in [[ariya]] ([[language]] or [[script]]]" (¶ 70). As is also the case for all other Old {{Wiki|Iranian}} [[language]] usage, the [[ariya]] of the inscription does not signify anything but "{{Wiki|Iranian}}". |
− | By the 1880s a number of linguists and anthropologists argued that the "Aryans" themselves had originated somewhere in northern Europe. A specific region began to crystallize when the linguist Karl Penka (Die Herkunft der Arier. Neue Beiträge zur historischen Anthropologie der europäischen Völker, 1886) popularized the idea that the "Aryans" had emerged in Scandinavia and could be identified by the distinctive Nordic characteristics of blond hair and blue eyes. The distinguished biologist Thomas Henry Huxley agreed with him, coining the term "Xanthochroi" to refer to fair-skinned Europeans (as opposed to darker Mediterranean peoples, who Huxley called "Melanochroi"). | + | By the 1880s a number of linguists and anthropologists argued that the "[[Aryans]]" themselves had originated somewhere in northern {{Wiki|Europe}}. A specific region began to crystallize when the linguist Karl Penka ([[Die]] Herkunft der Arier. Neue Beiträge zur historischen Anthropologie der europäischen Völker, 1886) popularized the [[idea]] that the "[[Aryans]]" had emerged in Scandinavia and could be identified by the {{Wiki|distinctive}} Nordic {{Wiki|characteristics}} of blond [[hair]] and blue [[eyes]]. The {{Wiki|distinguished}} [[biologist]] Thomas Henry Huxley agreed with him, coining the term "Xanthochroi" to refer to fair-skinned {{Wiki|Europeans}} (as opposed to darker Mediterranean peoples, who Huxley called "Melanochroi"). |
− | Madison Grant's vision of the distribution of "Nordics" (red), "Alpines" (green) and "Mediterraneans" (yellow). | + | [[Madison]] Grant's [[vision]] of the distribution of "Nordics" ([[red]]), "Alpines" ([[green]]) and "Mediterraneans" ([[yellow]]). |
− | William Z. Ripley's map of the "cephalic index" in Europe, from The Races of Europe (1899). | + | William Z. Ripley's map of the "cephalic index" in {{Wiki|Europe}}, from The Races of {{Wiki|Europe}} (1899). |
− | This "Nordic race" theory gained traction following the publication of Charles Morris's The Aryan Race (1888), which touches racist Ideology. A similar rationale was followed by Georges Vacher de Lapouge in his book L'Aryen et son rôle social (1899, "The Aryan and his Social Role"). To this idea of "races", Vacher de Lapouge espoused what he termed selectionism, and which had two aims: first, achieving the annihilation of trade unionists, considered "degenerate"; second, the prevention of labour dissatisfaction through the creation of "types" of man, each "designed" for one specific task (See the novel Brave New World for a fictional treatment of this idea). | + | This "Nordic race" {{Wiki|theory}} gained traction following the publication of Charles Morris's The [[Aryan]] Race (1888), which touches racist Ideology. A similar rationale was followed by Georges Vacher de Lapouge in his [[book]] L'Aryen et son rôle {{Wiki|social}} (1899, "The [[Aryan]] and his {{Wiki|Social}} Role"). To this [[idea]] of "races", Vacher de Lapouge espoused what he termed selectionism, and which had two aims: first, achieving the [[annihilation]] of trade unionists, considered "degenerate"; second, the prevention of labour [[dissatisfaction]] through the creation of "types" of man, each "designed" for one specific task (See the {{Wiki|novel}} Brave New [[World]] for a fictional treatment of this [[idea]]). |
− | Meanwhile, in India, the British colonial government had followed de Gobineau's arguments along another line, and had fostered the idea of a superior "Aryan race" that co-opted the Indian caste system in favor of imperial interests. In its fully developed form, the British-mediated interpretation foresaw a segregation of Aryan and non-Aryan along the lines of caste, with the upper castes being "Aryan" and the lower ones being "non-Aryan". The European developments not only allowed the British to identify themselves as high-caste, but also allowed the Brahmans to view themselves as on-par with the British. Further, it provoked the reinterpretation of Indian history in racialist and, in opposition, Indian Nationalist terms, and – in following a special interpretation of Max Müller's identification of "Aryan" as a national name – this gave rise recently among Hindu nationalists (the "Saffron Brigade") to the "indigenous Aryans" or so-called "Out of India" theory, disputed by many scholars in academia, which seeks an Indian origin of the Indo-European "Aryans". | + | Meanwhile, in [[India]], the {{Wiki|British}} colonial government had followed de Gobineau's arguments along another line, and had fostered the [[idea]] of a {{Wiki|superior}} "[[Aryan]] race" that co-opted the {{Wiki|Indian caste}} system in favor of {{Wiki|imperial}} interests. In its fully developed [[form]], the British-mediated [[interpretation]] foresaw a segregation of [[Aryan]] and non-Aryan along the lines of [[caste]], with the upper [[castes]] {{Wiki|being}} "[[Aryan]]" and the lower ones {{Wiki|being}} "non-Aryan". The {{Wiki|European}} developments not only allowed the {{Wiki|British}} to identify themselves as high-caste, but also allowed the [[Brahmans]] to [[view]] themselves as on-par with the {{Wiki|British}}. Further, it provoked the reinterpretation of [[Indian]] {{Wiki|history}} in racialist and, in [[opposition]], [[Indian]] Nationalist terms, and – in following a special [[interpretation]] of Max Müller's {{Wiki|identification}} of "[[Aryan]]" as a national [[name]] – this gave rise recently among [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|nationalists}} (the "{{Wiki|Saffron}} Brigade") to the "indigenous [[Aryans]]" or so-called "Out of [[India]]" {{Wiki|theory}}, disputed by many [[scholars]] in {{Wiki|academia}}, which seeks an [[Indian]] origin of the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} "[[Aryans]]". |
− | In The Secret Doctrine (1888), Helena Petrovna Blavatsky described the "Aryan root race" as the fifth of seven "Root races", dating their souls as having begun to incarnate about a million years ago in Atlantis. The Semites were a subdivision of the Aryan root race. "The occult doctrine admits of no such divisions as the Aryan and the Semite, ... The Semites, especially the Arabs, are later Aryans — degenerate in spirituality and perfected in materiality. To these belong all the Jews and the Arabs." The Jews, according to Blavatsky, were a "tribe descended from the Tchandalas of India," as they were born of Abraham, which she believed to be a corruption of a word meaning "No Brahmin". Other sources suggest the origin Avram or Aavram. | + | In [[The Secret Doctrine]] (1888), [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] described the "[[Aryan]] [[root]] race" as the fifth of seven "[[Root]] races", dating their [[souls]] as having begun to [[incarnate]] about a million years ago in [[Atlantis]]. The Semites were a subdivision of the [[Aryan]] [[root]] race. "The [[occult]] [[doctrine]] admits of no such divisions as the [[Aryan]] and the Semite, ... The Semites, especially the {{Wiki|Arabs}}, are later [[Aryans]] — degenerate in [[spirituality]] and perfected in [[materiality]]. To these belong all the [[Jews]] and the {{Wiki|Arabs}}." The [[Jews]], according to {{Wiki|Blavatsky}}, were a "tribe descended from the Tchandalas of [[India]]," as they were born of Abraham, which she believed to be a corruption of a [[word]] [[meaning]] "No [[Brahmin]]". Other sources suggest the origin Avram or Aavram. |
− | The name for the Sassanian Empire in Middle Persian is Eran Shahr which means Aryan Empire. In the aftermath of the Islamic conquest in Iran, racialist rhetoric became a literary idiom during the 7th century, i.e., when the Arabs became the primary "Other" – the anaryas – and the antithesis of everything Iranian (i.e. Aryan) and Zoroastrian. But "the antecedents of [present-day] Iranian ultra-nationalism can be traced back to the writings of late nineteenth-century figures such as Mirza Fatali Akhundov and Mirza Aqa Khan Kermani. Demonstrating affinity with Orientalist views of the supremacy of the Aryan peoples and the mediocrity of the Semitic peoples, Iranian nationalist discourse idealized pre-Islamic [Achaemenid and Sassanid] empires, whilst negating the 'Islamization' of Persia by Muslim forces." In the 20th century, different aspects of this idealization of a distant past would be instrumentalized by both the Pahlavi monarchy (In 1967, Iran's Pahlavi dynasty [overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution] added the title Āryāmehr Light of the Aryans to the other styles of the Iranian monarch, the Shah of Iran being already known at that time as the Shahanshah (King of Kings)), and by the Islamic republic that followed it; the Pahlavis used it as a foundation for anticlerical monarchism, and the clerics used it to exalt Iranian values vis-á-vis westernization. | + | The [[name]] for the [[Sassanian]] [[Empire]] in Middle [[Persian]] is Eran Shahr which means [[Aryan]] [[Empire]]. In the aftermath of the [[Islamic]] conquest in {{Wiki|Iran}}, racialist [[rhetoric]] became a {{Wiki|literary}} idiom during the 7th century, i.e., when the {{Wiki|Arabs}} became the [[primary]] "Other" – the anaryas – and the {{Wiki|antithesis}} of everything {{Wiki|Iranian}} (i.e. [[Aryan]]) and {{Wiki|Zoroastrian}}. But "the antecedents of [present-day] {{Wiki|Iranian}} ultra-nationalism can be traced back to the writings of late nineteenth-century figures such as Mirza Fatali Akhundov and Mirza Aqa {{Wiki|Khan}} Kermani. Demonstrating [[affinity]] with [[Orientalist]] [[views]] of the supremacy of the [[Aryan]] peoples and the mediocrity of the Semitic peoples, {{Wiki|Iranian}} nationalist {{Wiki|discourse}} idealized pre-Islamic [[[Achaemenid]] and [[Sassanid]]] empires, whilst negating the 'Islamization' of {{Wiki|Persia}} by {{Wiki|Muslim}} forces." In the 20th century, different aspects of this idealization of a distant {{Wiki|past}} would be instrumentalized by both the [[Pahlavi]] [[monarchy]] (In 1967, Iran's [[Pahlavi]] {{Wiki|dynasty}} [overthrown in the 1979 {{Wiki|Iranian}} {{Wiki|Revolution}}] added the title Āryāmehr [[Light]] of the [[Aryans]] to the other styles of the {{Wiki|Iranian}} {{Wiki|monarch}}, the [[Shah]] of {{Wiki|Iran}} {{Wiki|being}} already known at that [[time]] as the Shahanshah ([[King]] of [[Kings]])), and by the [[Islamic]] {{Wiki|republic}} that followed it; the Pahlavis used it as a foundation for anticlerical monarchism, and the {{Wiki|clerics}} used it to exalt {{Wiki|Iranian}} values vis-á-vis westernization. |
20th century | 20th century | ||
− | An intertitle from the silent film blockbuster The Birth of a Nation (1915). "Aryan birthright" is here "white birthright", the "defense" of which unites "whites" in the Northern and Southern U.S. against "coloreds". In another film of the same year, The Aryan, William S. Hart's "Aryan" identity is defined in distinction from Mexicans. | + | An intertitle from the [[silent]] film blockbuster The [[Birth]] of a Nation (1915). "[[Aryan]] birthright" is here "white birthright", the "defense" of which unites "whites" in the [[Northern]] and Southern [[U.S.]] against "coloreds". In another film of the same year, The [[Aryan]], William S. Hart's "[[Aryan]]" [[identity]] is defined in {{Wiki|distinction}} from Mexicans. |
− | In the United States, the best-selling 1907 book Race Life of the Aryan Peoples by Joseph Pomeroy Widney consolidated in the popular mind the idea that the word "Aryan" is the proper identification for "all Indo-Europeans", and that "Aryan Americans" of the "Aryan race" are destined to fulfill America's manifest destiny to form an American Empire. | + | In the [[United States]], the best-selling 1907 [[book]] Race [[Life]] of the [[Aryan]] Peoples by Joseph Pomeroy Widney consolidated in the popular [[mind]] the [[idea]] that the [[word]] "[[Aryan]]" is the proper {{Wiki|identification}} for "all [[Indo-Europeans]]", and that "[[Aryan]] {{Wiki|Americans}}" of the "[[Aryan]] race" are destined to fulfill [[America's]] [[manifest]] [[destiny]] to [[form]] an [[American]] [[Empire]]. |
− | Gordon Childe would later regret, but the depiction as possessors of a "superior language" became a matter of national pride in learned circles of Germany. Against the background of the lost World War I (portrayed to have been lost because Germany had been betrayed from within – miscegenation was at fault, more evidence for which was seen in the "corruption" represented by socialist trade unionists and other "degenerates"). | + | Gordon Childe would later [[regret]], but the depiction as possessors of a "{{Wiki|superior}} [[language]]" became a [[matter]] of national {{Wiki|pride}} in learned circles of {{Wiki|Germany}}. Against the background of the lost [[World War I]] (portrayed to have been lost because {{Wiki|Germany}} had been betrayed from within – miscegenation was at fault, more {{Wiki|evidence}} for which was seen in the "corruption" represented by socialist trade unionists and other "degenerates"). |
− | Rosenberg – one of the principal architects of Nazi ideological creed – argued for a new "religion of the blood", based on the supposed innate promptings of the Nordic soul to defend its "noble" character against racial and cultural degeneration. Under Rosenberg, the theories of Arthur de Gobineau, Georges Vacher de Lapouge, Blavatsky, Houston Stewart Chamberlain, Madison Grant, and those of Hitler Mein Kampf, tr. in The Times, 25 July 1933, p. 15/6-->) all culminated in Nazi Germany's race policies and the "Aryanization" decrees of the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940s. In its "apalling medical model", the annihilation of the "racially inferior" Untermenschen was sanctified as the excision of a diseased organ in an otherwise healthy body, which led to the Holocaust. | + | [[Rosenberg]] – one of the [[principal]] architects of {{Wiki|Nazi}} {{Wiki|ideological}} [[creed]] – argued for a new "[[religion]] of the {{Wiki|blood}}", based on the supposed innate promptings of the Nordic [[soul]] to defend its "[[noble]]" [[character]] against racial and {{Wiki|cultural}} {{Wiki|degeneration}}. Under [[Rosenberg]], the theories of Arthur de Gobineau, Georges Vacher de Lapouge, {{Wiki|Blavatsky}}, [[Houston]] Stewart Chamberlain, [[Madison]] Grant, and those of {{Wiki|Hitler}} {{Wiki|Mein Kampf}}, tr. in The Times, 25 July 1933, p. 15/6-->) all culminated in {{Wiki|Nazi}} Germany's race policies and the "Aryanization" decrees of the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940s. In its "apalling {{Wiki|medical}} model", the [[annihilation]] of the "racially {{Wiki|inferior}}" Untermenschen was [[sanctified]] as the excision of a diseased {{Wiki|organ}} in an otherwise healthy [[body]], which led to the Holocaust. |
− | In academic scholarship, the only surviving use of the word 'Aryan' among many scholars is that of the term "Indo-Aryan", which indicates "(speakers of) languages descended from Prakrits." Older usage to mean "(speakers of) Indo-Iranian languages" has been superseded among some scholars by the term "Indo-Iranian"; however "Aryan" is still used to mean "Indo-Iranian" by other scholars such as Josef Wiesehofer and Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza. The 19th century meaning of "Aryan" as (native speakers of) Indo-European languages" is no longer used by most scholars, but has continued among some scholars such as Colin Renfrew, and among some authors writing for the popular mass market such as H.G. Wells and Poul Anderson | + | In {{Wiki|academic}} {{Wiki|scholarship}}, the only surviving use of the [[word]] '[[Aryan]]' among many [[scholars]] is that of the term "[[Wikipedia:Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]]", which indicates "(speakers of) [[languages]] descended from [[Prakrits]]." Older usage to mean "(speakers of) [[Indo-Iranian]] [[languages]]" has been superseded among some [[scholars]] by the term "[[Indo-Iranian]]"; however "[[Aryan]]" is still used to mean "[[Indo-Iranian]]" by other [[scholars]] such as Josef Wiesehofer and Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza. The 19th century [[meaning]] of "[[Aryan]]" as (native speakers of) {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[languages]]" is no longer used by most [[scholars]], but has continued among some [[scholars]] such as Colin Renfrew, and among some authors [[writing]] for the popular {{Wiki|mass}} market such as H.G. Wells and Poul Anderson |
− | By the end of World War II, the word "Aryan" among a number of people had lost its Romantic or idealist connotations and was associated by many with Nazi racism instead. By then, the term "Indo-Iranian" and "Indo-European" had made most uses of the term "Aryan" superfluous in the eyes of a number of scholars, and "Aryan" now survives in most scholarly usage only in the term "Indo-Aryan" to indicate (speakers of) North Indian languages. It has been asserted by one scholar that Indo-Aryan and Aryan may not be equated and that such an equation is not supported by the historical evidence, though this extreme viewpoint is not widespread. | + | By the end of [[World]] [[War]] II, the [[word]] "[[Aryan]]" among a number of [[people]] had lost its Romantic or {{Wiki|idealist}} connotations and was associated by many with {{Wiki|Nazi}} racism instead. By then, the term "[[Indo-Iranian]]" and "{{Wiki|Indo-European}}" had made most uses of the term "[[Aryan]]" superfluous in the [[eyes]] of a number of [[scholars]], and "[[Aryan]]" now survives in most [[scholarly]] usage only in the term "[[Wikipedia:Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]]" to indicate (speakers of) {{Wiki|North}} [[Indian]] [[languages]]. It has been asserted by one [[scholar]] that [[Wikipedia:Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] and [[Aryan]] may not be equated and that such an equation is not supported by the historical {{Wiki|evidence}}, though this extreme viewpoint is not widespread. |
− | The use of the term to designate speakers of all Indo-European languages in scholarly usage is now regarded by some scholars as an "aberration to be avoided." However, some authors writing for popular consumption have continued using the word "Aryan" for "all Indo-Europeans" in the tradition of H. G. Wells, such as the science fiction author Poul Anderson, and scientists writing for the popular media, such as Colin Renfrew. Notions of the "Aryan race" as an elite group that is regarded as being superior to other races survive in some far-right European groups, such as Neo-Nazi parties, as well as in certain Iranian nationalist groups. | + | The use of the term to designate speakers of all {{Wiki|Indo-European}} [[languages]] in [[scholarly]] usage is now regarded by some [[scholars]] as an "aberration to be avoided." However, some authors [[writing]] for popular consumption have continued using the [[word]] "[[Aryan]]" for "all [[Indo-Europeans]]" in the [[tradition]] of H. G. Wells, such as the {{Wiki|science fiction}} author Poul Anderson, and [[scientists]] [[writing]] for the popular media, such as Colin Renfrew. Notions of the "[[Aryan]] race" as an {{Wiki|elite}} group that is regarded as {{Wiki|being}} {{Wiki|superior}} to other races survive in some far-right {{Wiki|European}} groups, such as Neo-Nazi parties, as well as in certain {{Wiki|Iranian}} nationalist groups. |
− | Echoes of "the 19th century prejudice about 'northern' Aryans who were confronted on Indian soil with black barbarians [...] can still be heard in some modern studies." In a socio-political context, the claim of a white, European Aryan race that includes only people of the Western and not the Eastern branch of the Indo-European peoples is entertained by certain circles, usually representing white nationalists who call for the halting of non-white immigration into Europe and limiting illegal immigration into the United States. They argue that a large intrusion of immigrants can lead to ethnic conflicts such as the 2005 Cronulla riots in Australia and the 2005 civil unrest in France. | + | Echoes of "the 19th century prejudice about 'northern' [[Aryans]] who were confronted on [[Indian]] soil with black [[barbarians]] [...] can still be [[heard]] in some {{Wiki|modern}} studies." In a socio-political context, the claim of a white, {{Wiki|European}} [[Aryan]] race that includes only [[people]] of the [[Western]] and not the Eastern branch of the {{Wiki|Indo-European}} peoples is entertained by certain circles, usually representing white {{Wiki|nationalists}} who call for the halting of non-white immigration into {{Wiki|Europe}} and limiting illegal immigration into the [[United States]]. They argue that a large intrusion of immigrants can lead to {{Wiki|ethnic}} conflicts such as the 2005 Cronulla riots in [[Australia]] and the 2005 civil unrest in {{Wiki|France}}. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} |
Latest revision as of 10:55, 17 February 2024
Aryan /ˈɛərjən/ is an English language loanword derived from the Sanskrit ārya ('Noble'). In present-day academia, the terms "Indo-Iranian" and "Indo-European" have, according to many, made most uses of the term 'Aryan' minimal, and 'Aryan' is now mostly limited to its appearance in the term "Indo-Aryan" for Indic languages and their speakers.
Western notions of an "Aryan race" rose to prominence in late-19th and early-20th century racialist thought, an idea most notably embraced by Nazi ideology (see master race). The Nazis believed that the "Nordic peoples" (who were also referred to as the "Germanic peoples") represent an
ideal and "pure race" that was the purest representation of the original racial stock of those who were then called the Proto-Aryans. The Nazis declared that the Nordics were the true Aryans because they claimed that they were more "pure" (less racially mixed with non-native Indo-European peoples) than other people of what were then called the Aryan people (now generally called the Indo-European people)
Etymology
Scholarly usage
Indo-Iranian languages (Indo-Aryan or Indic, Nuristani, and Iranian languages)
Contemporary usage
Among Hindu nationalists, the Hindu/Indian people
within the ideology of white supremacy, the "White race", who are native Indo-Europeans of the Western or European branch of the Indo-European peoples, as opposed to the Eastern or Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European peoples. The term Aryan is prominently used in the names of such organizations.
Dated usage
The "Aryan race" taken to correspond to the original speakers of Indo-European languages and their present day descendants
Derivation of the word "Aryan"
The English word "Aryan" is borrowed from the Sanskrit word ārya meaning 'Noble' but apparently, it was initially used as a national name to designate those who worshipped the Vedic deities (especially Indra) and followed Vedic culture (e.g. performance of sacrifice, Yajna). The Zend airya 'venerable' and Old Persian ariya are also thought to be national names.
As a translation of Latin Ariānus ‘of Aria or Ariana (the eastern part of ancient Persia),’ Arian has long been in English use: Aryan is of recent introduction in Comparative Philology, and is also by many written Arian , on the ground that āria was the original word, as shown by the Vedic language, ārya being only the later Sanskrit form; the spelling Aryan has the advantage of distinguishing the word Arian (see Arius).
In colloquial English, the word has been adopted in accordance with Nazi racial theory's appropriation of the term to describe persons corresponding to the "Nordic" physical ideal of Nazi Germany (the "master race" ideology).
In Iranian context the original self-identifier lives on in ethnic names like "Alani", "Ir". Similarly, The word Iran is the Persian word for land/place of the Aryans (see also Iranian peoples).
Possible derivations from Proto-Indo-European
According to a 1957 theory by Laroche, Indo-Iranian ar-ya- descends from Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *ar-yo-, a yo-adjective to a root *ar "to assemble skillfully", present in Greek harma "chariot", Greek aristos, (as in "aristocracy"), Latin ars "art", etc. Thus, according to this theory, an Aryan is "one who skillfully assembles". Proto-Indo-Iranian arta was a related concept of "properly joined" expressing a religious concept of cosmic order.
Various attempts to find an etymon are as follows:
Before 1950 – all are reductions of the historical variety to an original unity:
Bopp (1830): ar- "to go, to move", read as "one who roams" (like a nomad)
Müller (1862): ar- "to plough", read as "cultivator of the land"
Güntert (1924): ar- "to fit", read as "allied, friendly"
Thieme (1938): ar- "to give, allot, share", read as "hospitable"
After 1950 – all treat the autonym as distinct from similar-looking words:
Laroche (1957): ara- "to fit", read as "fitting, proper"
Dumézil (1958): ar- "to share", read as a uniting property of "appartenant au monde aryen"
Bailey (1959): ar- "to beget", read as "born, nurturing"
Benveniste (1969): ar- "to fit", read as "companionable"
A review of these and numerous other ideas, and the various problems with each is given by Oswald Szemerényi.
Usage and adaptation in other languages
In Indian/Sanskrit literature
In Sanskrit and related Indic languages, Arya refers to one who does Noble deeds . Āryāvarta (Sanskrit: आर्यावर्त, "abode of the Aryans") is a name for Northern India in classical Sanskrit literature. The Manu Smriti (2.22) gives the name to "the tract between the Himalaya and the Vindhya ranges, from the eastern to the Western Sea" The title of Arya was used with various modifications throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Kharavela, the Emperor of Kalinga around 1 BCE is referred as an Arya in the Hatigumpha inscriptions of the Khandagiri–Udaigiri cave complex in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The Gurjara Pratihara rulers in the tenth century was entitled as Maharajadhiraja of Āryāvarta ('the lord of great kings of the land of the Aryans'). Various Indian religions, chiefly Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism use the term Arya as an epithet of honour and it occurs as such in their religious texts and groups such as the Arya Samaj.
In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Arya is used as an honorific for many characters including Hanuman and Ravana.
Indo-European language throughout Europe and the Middle East 500 BCE.
In Thai usage
In Iranian literature
Unlike the several meanings connected with ārya- in Old Indic, the Old Iranian term has solely an ethnic meaning. That is in contrast to Indian usage, in which several secondary meanings evolved, the meaning of ar- as a self-identifier is preserved in Iranian usage, hence the words "Iran"/"Iranian" themselves. Iranian airya meant and means "Iranian", and Iranian anairya meant and means "non-Iranian". Arya may also be found as an ethnonym in Iranian languages, e.g., Alan/Persian Iran and Ossetian Ir/Iron
The name Iran, Iranian is itself equivalent to Aryan, where Iran means "land of the Aryans," and has been in use since Sassanid times
The Avesta clearly uses airya/airyan as an ethnic name (Vd. 1; Yt. 13.143-44, etc.), where it appears in expressions such as airyāfi; daiŋˊhāvō "Iranian lands, peoples", airyō.šayanəm "land inhabited by Iranians", and airyanəm vaējō vaŋhuyāfi; dāityayāfi; "Iranian stretch of the good Dāityā", the river Oxus, the modern Āmū Daryā. Old Persian sources also use this term for Iranians. Old Persian which is a testament to the antiquity of the Persian language and which is related to most of the languages/dialects spoken in Iran including modern Persian, Kurdish, Gilaki and Baluchi makes it clear that Iranians referred to themselves as Arya.
The term "Airya/Airyan" appears in the royal Old Persian inscriptions in three different contexts:
As the name of the language of the Old Persian version of the inscription of Darius the Great in Behistun
As the ethnic background of Darius in inscriptions at Naqsh-e-Rostam and Susa (Dna, Dse) and Xerxes in the inscription from Persepolis (Xph)
As the definition of the God of Aryan people, Ahuramazda, in the Elamite version of the Behistun inscription.
For example in the Dna and Dse Darius and Xerxes describe themselves as "An Achaemenian, A Persian son of a Persian and an Aryan, of Aryan stock". Although Darius the Great called his language the Aryan language, modern scholars refer to it as Old Persian because it is the ancestor of modern Persian language.
The Old Persian and Avestan evidence is confirmed by the Greek sources". Herodotus in his Histories remarks about the Iranian Medes that: "These Medes were called anciently by all people Arians; " (7.62). In Armenian sources, the Parthians, Medes and Persians are collectively referred to as Aryans. Eudemus of Rhodes apud Damascius (Dubitationes et solutiones in Platonis Parmenidem 125 bis) refers to "the Magi and all those of Iranian (áreion) lineage"; Diodorus Siculus (1.94.2) considers Zoroaster (Zathraustēs) as one of the Arianoi.
Strabo, in his "Geography", mentions the unity of Medes, Persians, Bactrians and Sogdians :
The name of Ariana is further extended to a part of Persia and of Media, as also to the Bactrians and Sogdians on the north; for these speak approximately the same language, with but slight variations.
— Geography, 15.8
The trilingual inscription erected by Shapur's command gives us a more clear description. The languages used are Parthian, Middle Persian and Greek. In Greek the inscription says: "ego ... tou Arianon ethnous despotes eimi" which translates to "I am the king of the Aryans". In the Middle Persian Shapour says: "I am the Lord of the EranShahr" and in Parthian he says: "I am the Lord of AryanShahr".
The Bactrian language (a Middle Iranian language) inscription of Kanishka the founder of the Kushan empire at Rabatak, which was discovered in 1993 in an unexcavated site in the Afghanistan province of Baghlan clearly refers to this Eastern Iranian language as Arya In the post-Islamic era one can still see a clear usage of the term Aryan (Iran) in the work of the 10th century historian Hamzeh Isfahani. In his famous book "the history of Prophets and Kings" writes: "Aryan which is also called Pars(Persia) is in the middle of these countries and these six countries surround it because the South East is in the hands China, the North of the Turks, the middle South is India, the middle North is Rome, and the South West and the North West is the Sudan and Berber lands". All this evidence shows that the name arya "Iranian" was a collective definition, denoting peoples (Geiger, pp. 167 f.; Schmitt, 1978, p. 31) who were aware of belonging to the one ethnic stock, speaking a common language, and having a religious tradition that centered on the cult of Ahura Mazdā.
In Iranian context the original self-identifier lives on in ethnic names like "Alani", "Ir". Similarly, The word Iran is the Persian word for land/place of the Aryan (see also Iranian peoples).
In Latin literature
The history of the form Arian as a loan word began in 1601 when Philemon Holland substituted the phrase "region of the Arians" for Ariana the Latin rendering for the land mainly east of ancient Persia in his translation of Pliny's Natural History. This was the first known usage of the form Arian/Aryan in the west. When it was determined that Iranian languages — both living and ancient — used a similar term in much the same way (but in the Iranian context as a self-identifier of Iranian peoples), it became apparent that the shared meaning had to derive from the ancestor language of the shared past, and so, by the early 19th century, the form Arian came to refer to the group of languages deriving from that ancestor language, and by extension, the speakers of those languages. In 1844 James Cowles Prichard first designated both the Indians and the Iranians "Arians" under the false assumption that the Iranians as well as the Indians self-designated themselves Aria. The Iranians did use the form Airya as a designation for the "Aryans," but Prichard had mistook Aria (deriving from OPer. Haravia) as a designation of the "Aryans" and associated the Aria with the place-name Ariana (Av. Airyana), the homeland of the Aryans. The form Aria as a designation of the "Aryans" was, however, only preserved in the language of the Indo-Aryans.
In European languages
The term "Aryan" came to be used as the term for the Indo-European language group, and by extension, the original speakers of those languages. In the 19th century, "language" was considered a property of "ethnicity", and thus the speakers of the Indo-Persian or Indo-European languages came to be called the "Aryan race", as contradistinguished from what came to be called the "Semitic race". By the late 19th century, among some people, the notions of an "Aryan race" became closely linked to Nordicism, which posited Northern European racial superiority over all other peoples. This "master race" ideal engendered both the "Aryanization" programs of Nazi Germany, in which the classification of people as "Aryan" and "non-Aryan" was most emphatically directed towards the exclusion of Jews. By the end of World War II, the word 'Aryan' had become associated by many with the racial theories and atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.
History
Before the 19th century
While the original meaning of Indo-Iranian *arya as a self-designator is uncontested, the origin of the word (and thus also its original meaning) remains uncertain. Indo-Iranian ar- is a syllable ambiguous in origin, from Indo-European ar-, er-, or or-. No evidence for a Proto-Indo-European (as opposed to Indo-Iranian) ethnic name like "Aryan" has been found.
The meaning of 'Aryan' that was adopted into the English language in the late 18th century was the one associated with the technical term used in comparative philology, which in turn had the same meaning as that evident in the very oldest Old Indic usage, i.e. as a (self-) identifier of "(speakers of) North Indian languages". This usage was simultaneously influenced by a word that appeared in classical sources (Latin and Greek Ἀριάνης Arianes, e.g. in Pliny 1.133 and Strabo 15.2.1-8), and recognized to be the same as that which appeared in living Iranian languages, where it was a (self-)identifier of the "(speakers of) Iranian languages". Accordingly, 'Aryan' came to refer to the languages of the Indo-Iranian language group, and by extension, native speakers of those languages.
Vedic Sanskrit
The term Arya is used 36 times in 34 hymns in the Rigveda. According to Talageri (2000, The Rig Veda. A Historical Analysis) "the particular Vedic Aryans of the Rigveda were one section among these Purus, who called themselves Bharatas." Thus it is possible, according to Talageri, that at one point Arya did refer to a specific tribe. "Brahma of glory is he to whom both the Aryans and the Dasas belong" (RV 8.8.9).
While the word may ultimately derive from a tribal name, already in the Rigveda it appears as a religious distinction, separating those who sacrifice "properly" from those who do not belong to the historical Vedic religion, presaging the usage in later Hinduism where the term comes to denote religious righteousness or piety. In RV 9.63.5, ârya "noble, pious, righteous" is used as contrasting with árāvan "not liberal, envious, hostile":
índraṃ várdhanto aptúraḥ kṛṇvánto víśvam âryam apaghnánto árāvṇaḥ
"[the Soma-drops], performing every noble work, active, augmenting Indra's strength, driving away the godless ones." (trans. Griffith)
Sanskrit Epics
Arya and Anarya are primarily used in the moral sense in the Hindu Epics. People are usually called Arya or Anarya based on their behaviour. Arya is typically one who follows Dharmic principles. This is historically applicable for any person living anywhere in Bharata Varsha or vast India.
Ramayana
In the Ramayana, the term Arya can also apply to Raksasas or to Ravana. In several instances, the Vanaras and Raksasas called themselves Arya. The vanara's king Sugriva is called an Arya (Ram: 505102712) and he also speaks of his brother Vali as an Arya (Ram: 402402434). In another instance in the Ramayana, Ravana regards himself and his ministers as Aryas (Ram: A logical explanation is that, Ravana and his ministers belonged to the highest varna (Ravana being a Brahmin), and Brahmins were generally considered 'noble' of deed and hence called Arya (noble). Thus, while Ravana was considered Arya (and regarded himself as such), he was not really an Arya because he was not noble of deeds. So, he is widely considered by Hindus as Anarya (non-Arya).
The Ramayana describes Rama as: arya sarva samascaiva sadaiva priyadarsanah, meaning "Arya, who worked for the equality of all and was dear to everyone."
Mahabharata
In the Mahabharata, the terms Arya or Anarya are often applied to people according to their behaviour. Dushasana, who tried to disrobe Draupadi in the Kaurava court, is called an "Anarya" (Mbh:0020600253). Vidura, the son of a Dasi born from Vyasa, was the only person in the assembly whose behaviour is called "Arya", because he was the only one who openly protested when Draupadi was being disrobed by Dushasana. The Pandavas called themselves "Anarya" in the Mahabharata (0071670471) when they killed Drona through deception.
According to the Mahabharata, a person's behaviour (not wealth or learning) determines if he can be called an Arya. Also the whole Kuru clan was called as Arya .
Religious use
The word ārya is often found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts. In the Indian spiritual context it can be applied to Rishis or to someone who has mastered the four noble truths and entered upon the spiritual path. The religions of India are sometimes called collectively ārya dharma, a term that includes the religions that originated in India (e.g. Hinduism , Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism).
Hinduism
"O my Lord, a person who is chanting Your holy name, although born of a low family like that of a Chandala, is situated on the highest platform of self-realization. Such a person must have performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to Vedic literatures many, many times after taking bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage. Such a person is considered to be the best of the Arya family" (Bhagavata Purana 3.33.7).
According to Swami Vivekananda, "A child materially born is not an Arya; the child born in spirituality is an Arya." He further elaborated, referring to the Manu Smriti: "Says our great law-giver, Manu, giving the definition of an Arya, 'He is the Arya, who is born through prayer.' Every child not born through prayer is illegitimate, according to the great law-giver: "The child must be prayed for. Those children that come with curses, that slip into the world, just in a moment of inadvertence, because that could not be prevented - what can we expect of such progeny?..."(Swami Vivekananda, Complete Works vol.8)
Swami Dayananda founded a Dharmic organisation Arya Samaj in 1875. Sri Aurobindo published a journal combining nationalism and spiritualism under the title Arya from 1914 to 1921.
Buddhism
The word ārya (Pāli: ariya), in the sense "noble" or "exalted", is very frequently used in Buddhist texts to designate a spiritual warrior or hero, which use this term much more often than Hindu or Jain texts. Buddha's Dharma and Vinaya are the ariyassa dhammavinayo. The Four Noble Truths are called the catvāry āryasatyāni (Sanskrit) or cattāri ariyasaccāni (Pali). The Noble Eightfold Path is called the āryamārga (Sanskrit, also āryāṣṭāṅgikamārga) or ariyamagga (Pāli). Buddhists themselves are called ariyapuggalas (Arya persons). In Buddhist texts, the āryas are those who have the Buddhist śīla (Pāli sīla, meaning "virtue") and follow the Buddhist path. Those who despise Buddhism are often called "anāryas".
Jainism
The word Arya is also often used in Jainism, in Jain texts such as the Pannavanasutta.
19th century
In the 19th century, linguists still supposed that the age of a language determined its "superiority" (because it was assumed to have genealogical purity). Then, based on the assumption that Sanskrit was the oldest Indo-European language, and the (now known to be untenable) position that Irish Éire was etymologically related to "Aryan", in 1837 Adolphe Pictet popularized the idea that the term "Aryan" could also be applied to the entire Indo-European language family as well. The groundwork for this had been laid in 1808, when Friedrich Schlegel, a German scholar who was an important early Indo-Europeanist, came up with a theory that linked the Indo-Iranian words with the German word Ehre, 'honor', and older Germanic names containing the element ario-, such as the Swiss warrior Ariovistus who was written about by Julius Caesar Schlegel theorized that far from being just a designation of the Indo-Iranians, the word *arya- had in fact been what the Indo-Europeans called themselves, meaning [according to Schlegel] something like 'the honorable people.' (This theory has since been called into question.)
Following this linguistic argument, in the 1850s Arthur de Gobineau supposed that "Aryan" corresponded to the suggested prehistoric Indo-European culture (1853–1855, Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races). Further, de Gobineau believed that there were three basic races – white, yellow and black – and that everything else was caused by race miscegenation, which de Gobineau argued was the cause of chaos. The "master race", according to de Gobineau, were the Northern European "Aryans", who had remained "racially pure". Southern Europeans (to include Spaniards and Southern Frenchmen), Eastern Europeans, North Africans, Middle Easterners, Iranians, [[Wikipedia:Central Asian|Central Asian]]s, Indians, he all considered racially mixed, degenerated through the miscegenation, and thus less than ideal.
The earliest epigraphically-attested reference to the word ariya occurs in the 6th century BCE Behistun inscription, which describes itself to have been composed "in ariya (language or script]" (¶ 70). As is also the case for all other Old Iranian language usage, the ariya of the inscription does not signify anything but "Iranian".
By the 1880s a number of linguists and anthropologists argued that the "Aryans" themselves had originated somewhere in northern Europe. A specific region began to crystallize when the linguist Karl Penka (Die Herkunft der Arier. Neue Beiträge zur historischen Anthropologie der europäischen Völker, 1886) popularized the idea that the "Aryans" had emerged in Scandinavia and could be identified by the distinctive Nordic characteristics of blond hair and blue eyes. The distinguished biologist Thomas Henry Huxley agreed with him, coining the term "Xanthochroi" to refer to fair-skinned Europeans (as opposed to darker Mediterranean peoples, who Huxley called "Melanochroi").
Madison Grant's vision of the distribution of "Nordics" (red), "Alpines" (green) and "Mediterraneans" (yellow).
William Z. Ripley's map of the "cephalic index" in Europe, from The Races of Europe (1899).
This "Nordic race" theory gained traction following the publication of Charles Morris's The Aryan Race (1888), which touches racist Ideology. A similar rationale was followed by Georges Vacher de Lapouge in his book L'Aryen et son rôle social (1899, "The Aryan and his Social Role"). To this idea of "races", Vacher de Lapouge espoused what he termed selectionism, and which had two aims: first, achieving the annihilation of trade unionists, considered "degenerate"; second, the prevention of labour dissatisfaction through the creation of "types" of man, each "designed" for one specific task (See the novel Brave New World for a fictional treatment of this idea).
Meanwhile, in India, the British colonial government had followed de Gobineau's arguments along another line, and had fostered the idea of a superior "Aryan race" that co-opted the Indian caste system in favor of imperial interests. In its fully developed form, the British-mediated interpretation foresaw a segregation of Aryan and non-Aryan along the lines of caste, with the upper castes being "Aryan" and the lower ones being "non-Aryan". The European developments not only allowed the British to identify themselves as high-caste, but also allowed the Brahmans to view themselves as on-par with the British. Further, it provoked the reinterpretation of Indian history in racialist and, in opposition, Indian Nationalist terms, and – in following a special interpretation of Max Müller's identification of "Aryan" as a national name – this gave rise recently among Hindu nationalists (the "Saffron Brigade") to the "indigenous Aryans" or so-called "Out of India" theory, disputed by many scholars in academia, which seeks an Indian origin of the Indo-European "Aryans".
In The Secret Doctrine (1888), Helena Petrovna Blavatsky described the "Aryan root race" as the fifth of seven "Root races", dating their souls as having begun to incarnate about a million years ago in Atlantis. The Semites were a subdivision of the Aryan root race. "The occult doctrine admits of no such divisions as the Aryan and the Semite, ... The Semites, especially the Arabs, are later Aryans — degenerate in spirituality and perfected in materiality. To these belong all the Jews and the Arabs." The Jews, according to Blavatsky, were a "tribe descended from the Tchandalas of India," as they were born of Abraham, which she believed to be a corruption of a word meaning "No Brahmin". Other sources suggest the origin Avram or Aavram.
The name for the Sassanian Empire in Middle Persian is Eran Shahr which means Aryan Empire. In the aftermath of the Islamic conquest in Iran, racialist rhetoric became a literary idiom during the 7th century, i.e., when the Arabs became the primary "Other" – the anaryas – and the antithesis of everything Iranian (i.e. Aryan) and Zoroastrian. But "the antecedents of [present-day] Iranian ultra-nationalism can be traced back to the writings of late nineteenth-century figures such as Mirza Fatali Akhundov and Mirza Aqa Khan Kermani. Demonstrating affinity with Orientalist views of the supremacy of the Aryan peoples and the mediocrity of the Semitic peoples, Iranian nationalist discourse idealized pre-Islamic [[[Achaemenid]] and Sassanid] empires, whilst negating the 'Islamization' of Persia by Muslim forces." In the 20th century, different aspects of this idealization of a distant past would be instrumentalized by both the Pahlavi monarchy (In 1967, Iran's Pahlavi dynasty [overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution] added the title Āryāmehr Light of the Aryans to the other styles of the Iranian monarch, the Shah of Iran being already known at that time as the Shahanshah (King of Kings)), and by the Islamic republic that followed it; the Pahlavis used it as a foundation for anticlerical monarchism, and the clerics used it to exalt Iranian values vis-á-vis westernization.
20th century
An intertitle from the silent film blockbuster The Birth of a Nation (1915). "Aryan birthright" is here "white birthright", the "defense" of which unites "whites" in the Northern and Southern U.S. against "coloreds". In another film of the same year, The Aryan, William S. Hart's "Aryan" identity is defined in distinction from Mexicans.
In the United States, the best-selling 1907 book Race Life of the Aryan Peoples by Joseph Pomeroy Widney consolidated in the popular mind the idea that the word "Aryan" is the proper identification for "all Indo-Europeans", and that "Aryan Americans" of the "Aryan race" are destined to fulfill America's manifest destiny to form an American Empire.
Gordon Childe would later regret, but the depiction as possessors of a "superior language" became a matter of national pride in learned circles of Germany. Against the background of the lost World War I (portrayed to have been lost because Germany had been betrayed from within – miscegenation was at fault, more evidence for which was seen in the "corruption" represented by socialist trade unionists and other "degenerates").
Rosenberg – one of the principal architects of Nazi ideological creed – argued for a new "religion of the blood", based on the supposed innate promptings of the Nordic soul to defend its "noble" character against racial and cultural degeneration. Under Rosenberg, the theories of Arthur de Gobineau, Georges Vacher de Lapouge, Blavatsky, Houston Stewart Chamberlain, Madison Grant, and those of Hitler Mein Kampf, tr. in The Times, 25 July 1933, p. 15/6-->) all culminated in Nazi Germany's race policies and the "Aryanization" decrees of the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940s. In its "apalling medical model", the annihilation of the "racially inferior" Untermenschen was sanctified as the excision of a diseased organ in an otherwise healthy body, which led to the Holocaust.
In academic scholarship, the only surviving use of the word 'Aryan' among many scholars is that of the term "Indo-Aryan", which indicates "(speakers of) languages descended from Prakrits." Older usage to mean "(speakers of) Indo-Iranian languages" has been superseded among some scholars by the term "Indo-Iranian"; however "Aryan" is still used to mean "Indo-Iranian" by other scholars such as Josef Wiesehofer and Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza. The 19th century meaning of "Aryan" as (native speakers of) Indo-European languages" is no longer used by most scholars, but has continued among some scholars such as Colin Renfrew, and among some authors writing for the popular mass market such as H.G. Wells and Poul Anderson
By the end of World War II, the word "Aryan" among a number of people had lost its Romantic or idealist connotations and was associated by many with Nazi racism instead. By then, the term "Indo-Iranian" and "Indo-European" had made most uses of the term "Aryan" superfluous in the eyes of a number of scholars, and "Aryan" now survives in most scholarly usage only in the term "Indo-Aryan" to indicate (speakers of) North Indian languages. It has been asserted by one scholar that Indo-Aryan and Aryan may not be equated and that such an equation is not supported by the historical evidence, though this extreme viewpoint is not widespread.
The use of the term to designate speakers of all Indo-European languages in scholarly usage is now regarded by some scholars as an "aberration to be avoided." However, some authors writing for popular consumption have continued using the word "Aryan" for "all Indo-Europeans" in the tradition of H. G. Wells, such as the science fiction author Poul Anderson, and scientists writing for the popular media, such as Colin Renfrew. Notions of the "Aryan race" as an elite group that is regarded as being superior to other races survive in some far-right European groups, such as Neo-Nazi parties, as well as in certain Iranian nationalist groups.
Echoes of "the 19th century prejudice about 'northern' Aryans who were confronted on Indian soil with black barbarians [...] can still be heard in some modern studies." In a socio-political context, the claim of a white, European Aryan race that includes only people of the Western and not the Eastern branch of the Indo-European peoples is entertained by certain circles, usually representing white nationalists who call for the halting of non-white immigration into Europe and limiting illegal immigration into the United States. They argue that a large intrusion of immigrants can lead to ethnic conflicts such as the 2005 Cronulla riots in Australia and the 2005 civil unrest in France.