Who Are the Intruders?

Hindutva proponents repeatedly label Muslims as “intruders” who illegally entered India. Notably, "the big bozz" has claimed that if rivals win elections, they would “distribute the nation’s wealth to these intruders, not even sparing your mangalsutras.” Calling fellow humans—who have lived in this country for six to seven centuries, born here and dying here—“intruders” reflects the communal divisive politics unfolding around us.

Historically, over the past 3,000 years, intruders from the Central Asian steppes entered India in three waves, influencing Indian society. Sanatana advocates only speak of Muslims who arrived six to seven hundred years ago, ignoring the earlier two waves of intruders from other ethnic groups.

1. First Wave: Aryan Intrusion

• Around 1500 BCE, a warrior tribe called Aryans migrated from Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent, establishing dominance. They brought Vedic culture and the Sanskrit language, which influenced local cultures.
• Modern genetic studies, using DNA sequencing, can accurately trace gene migration across populations and time. Scientific papers confirm that certain genes from Central Asia gradually moved into the Indian subcontinent, identified as Aryan genes. These migrants were the Aryans.
• Surprisingly, the R1 haplogroup gene, prevalent among Aryans, is found in 72.22% of Bengal Brahmins and 30–70% of Brahmins in other states. Among lower castes (Dalits and Bahujans), it appears in 15.7%, and among Indian tribals, only 7.9%.
• This suggests today’s Brahmins are largely descendants of foreign Aryans from Central Asia, while Dalits, Bahujans, and tribals are indigenous, living here since the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Aryans introduced the varna system, dividing society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Brahmins were deemed superior, with the others serving them, as codified in Dharma Shastras, the constitution of that era. Beyond these, “ati-shudras” (untouchables) lived outside villages and were not considered human by these texts.
• Aryan men, not women, migrated to India and married local non-Aryan women, likely after defeating or eliminating local men to claim their women.
• The birth-based varna system (caste), Brahmin supremacy, mantras, rituals, and concepts like heaven, hell, sin, and virtue—introduced by Aryans—continue to influence society today.
• Sanatana proponents claim Aryans were indigenous, but no genetic evidence supports this, creating a dilemma for Sanatana Hindu historians.

2. Second Wave: Yavanas, Shakas, Parthians, and Kushans

• Between 300 BCE and 100 CE, Yavanas (Indo-Greeks), Shakas (Scythians), Parthians, and Kushans—warriors from Central Asia—entered India.
• After Alexander’s death, some Greeks (Yavanas) stayed in India around 300 BCE, ruling Punjab and Gandhara. They adopted Buddhism and crafted Buddhist sculptures in Gandhara art. Manusmriti labeled them “mlecchas” and “degraded Kshatriyas.”
• Shakas, nomadic tribes from Central Asian steppes, arrived around 100 BCE, ruling Gandhara, Punjab, and Ujjain. They embraced Buddhism and Hinduism, with notable ruler Rudradaman patronizing Sanskrit. Manusmriti called them “second-class Kshatriyas.”
• Parthians, warriors from Iran, arrived around 100 BCE, establishing the Indo-Parthian Empire in Sindh and Punjab (modern-day Pakistan). Their ruler Gondophares was prominent, and Gandhara art flourished under them. Though Zoroastrians, they merged with Indian religions. Manusmriti also labeled them degraded Kshatriyas.
• Kushans, arriving around 100 CE, spread Buddhism under King Kanishka. Their coins bore symbols of Buddha, Shiva, and Greek deities, reflecting religious tolerance. They adopted Indian names like Vasudeva and were recognized as Kshatriyas.
• These steppe warriors settled in India, adopted Buddhism and Hinduism, and gradually merged into local castes, such as Shakas into Rajput clans in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and Kushans into northern royal dynasties.

3. Third Wave: Aibak, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi, and Mughals

• Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Qutbuddin Aibak, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties from Central Asia ruled parts of northern India, though their kingdoms were weak and limited. In 1526, Babur, from Central Asia, defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat, founding the Mughal Empire. Some historians suggest Rana Sanga, a Rajput king, invited Babur to overthrow Lodi.
• Babur established a strong, centralized Mughal Empire, expanded by Akbar. Aurangzeb took it to its zenith, shaping what we now call “Akhand Bharat” (undivided India). His empire rivaled Ashoka’s Maurya Empire in extent, a feat unmatched by prior Delhi Sultanates or Hindu dynasties.
• Mughals promoted harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities. Akbar, through Sufi saints like Chishti and Bhakti poets like Kabir and Nanak, fostered this synthesis. His Din-i-Ilahi philosophy sought unity across religions.
• Mughal rulers included Rajputs, Hindu zamindars, and local leaders in governance.
• British arrival, internal instability, and economic crises weakened the Mughal Empire. After the 1857 revolt, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was deposed, and the British formally took control.

Today’s Indian Muslims, who arrived five to six centuries ago, are mostly descendants of local Dalits and Bahujans who converted to Islam, likely due to oppressive restrictions in Hinduism.

Who Are the Intruders?

Aryans, Yavanas, and Muslims entered India as intruders but blended with local cultures, shaping India’s pluralistic society. Genetic evidence shows Aryans predominantly among Brahmins. Yavanas, Shakas, and Kushans became northern Rajputs, playing key roles in India’s history. Muslims, including those from Central Asia and local converts from Dalit and Bahujan communities, also integrated.

In today’s political context, “intruders” is used to target Muslims, portraying them as foreigners. This distorts history by ignoring earlier intrusions by Aryans, Yavanas, Shakas, and others. Indian Muslims have lived here for 700 years, born and buried in this soil, with most having local roots.

“Intruders” is a historical term, but using it for divisive politics is misleading. Instead of division and hatred, we must journey toward unity and harmony.

By Bolloju Baba