Difference between revisions of "Aryans"
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| − | The '''Aryans''' were a | + | The '''Aryans''', Sanskrit ''Ārya'', were a group who invaded India from the north around 1500 BC as recorded in the ''Rigveda'', the earliest Indian literary work. In modern usage, the word most commonly refers to Nordic people, especially those with blond hair and blue-eyes. This usage is somewhat removed from the historical meaning of the term and reflects the influence of Nazi ideology. |
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| + | The Aryans are thought to have spoken a language of the Indo-European language family. Due to the association with Nazi ideology, modern specialists no longer use the term. Instead, they use "Indo-European" to refer to the overall language family and "Indo-Aryan" for the branch of the Indo-European language family that is spoken in Iran and India. | ||
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| + | In Sanskrit, ''Ārya'' means noble. The word derives from the Persian ''Arya'', which refers to the Indo-European speaking people of Persia. As such, the name of the country [[Iran]] means "Land of the Aryans".<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/1.5127018 How 'Iran' and 'Aryan' Are Connected]</ref> | ||
The term Aryan has also been used by [[Adolf Hitler]] and numerous other [[racialism|racialists]] to refer to what they believe to be the superior race of white, Nordic Europeans. The originator of the ''Aryan master race'' theory was French author [[Joseph Arthur de Gobineau]]. | The term Aryan has also been used by [[Adolf Hitler]] and numerous other [[racialism|racialists]] to refer to what they believe to be the superior race of white, Nordic Europeans. The originator of the ''Aryan master race'' theory was French author [[Joseph Arthur de Gobineau]]. | ||
Revision as of 12:06, April 15, 2021
The Aryans, Sanskrit Ārya, were a group who invaded India from the north around 1500 BC as recorded in the Rigveda, the earliest Indian literary work. In modern usage, the word most commonly refers to Nordic people, especially those with blond hair and blue-eyes. This usage is somewhat removed from the historical meaning of the term and reflects the influence of Nazi ideology.
The Aryans are thought to have spoken a language of the Indo-European language family. Due to the association with Nazi ideology, modern specialists no longer use the term. Instead, they use "Indo-European" to refer to the overall language family and "Indo-Aryan" for the branch of the Indo-European language family that is spoken in Iran and India.
In Sanskrit, Ārya means noble. The word derives from the Persian Arya, which refers to the Indo-European speaking people of Persia. As such, the name of the country Iran means "Land of the Aryans".[1]
The term Aryan has also been used by Adolf Hitler and numerous other racialists to refer to what they believe to be the superior race of white, Nordic Europeans. The originator of the Aryan master race theory was French author Joseph Arthur de Gobineau.
