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What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?
  • a)
    It is mentioned in the religious literature of the ancient Iranians
  • b)
    It is mentioned in the Yajur Veda
  • c)
    There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta
  • d)
    The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of avent Iran
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The Rig Vedic and Avestan languages are essentially the same, with very minor differences in grammar. They share a common vocabulary in the fields of mythology, ritual, culture, and religious practices.
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What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is based on several grounds, with the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta being one of the most significant factors.

1. Similarity in Language:
The Vedas, the ancient sacred texts of the Vedic Aryans, are written in an ancient form of Sanskrit, while the Avesta, the sacred texts of the ancient Iranians, is written in an ancient form of Iranian language known as Avestan. These two languages share a remarkable similarity in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics. They both belong to the Indo-Iranian branch of the larger Indo-European language family. This linguistic similarity suggests a common origin or close relationship between the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans.

2. Shared Religious Concepts:
Both the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans had a common religious heritage, which is evident in their respective religious texts. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest Vedic texts, contains hymns that mention deities such as Indra, Varuna, and Agni, who are also revered in the Avesta. Similarly, the concept of sacrifice, rituals, and the belief in the immortality of the soul are shared by both cultures. These shared religious concepts indicate a common cultural and religious background.

3. Cultural and Geographical Connections:
The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of the ancient Iran, which suggests a connection between the two cultures. The Rig Veda mentions rivers such as the Sarasvati and the Indus, which are believed to be located in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, close to present-day Iran. This geographical proximity indicates the potential for cultural exchange and interaction between the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans.

Conclusion:
While there is no concrete evidence to definitively prove that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race, the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta provides a strong basis for this belief. The shared religious concepts and geographical connections further support the idea of a common origin or close relationship between these two ancient cultures. However, it is important to note that this is still a subject of ongoing scholarly debate and further research is needed to establish a conclusive answer.
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What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
Grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race:


The belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is based on several grounds, the most significant one being the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta. Let's explore this and other grounds in detail:


1. Similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta:

- The language of the ancient Iranians, as recorded in the Avesta, is known as Avestan. Avestan is an Indo-Iranian language that belongs to the eastern branch of the Indo-European language family.
- The language of the Vedic Aryans, as recorded in the Vedas, is known as Vedic Sanskrit. Vedic Sanskrit is also an Indo-Iranian language, specifically belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.
- The striking similarities in grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics between Avestan and Vedic Sanskrit suggest a close linguistic relationship between the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans.

2. Cultural and religious connections:

- The ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans share several cultural and religious similarities.
- Both groups venerated fire and considered it sacred. The worship of fire is mentioned in both the Avesta and the Vedas.
- Both groups believed in a pantheon of gods, with some overlapping deities such as Mitra, Varuna, and Indra.
- The practice of ritual sacrifices, as described in the Vedas, also finds parallels in the Avesta.

3. Historical and geographical connections:

- Both the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans inhabited the same region, which encompasses present-day Iran and parts of northern India.
- The Vedic texts mention various geographical locations that match the topography of ancient Iran, such as the rivers Sarasvati and Sindhuh, which are known in modern times as the Ghaggar and the Indus rivers.
- The Vedic Aryans were also familiar with the flora and fauna of the eastern parts of Iran, as indicated by references to horses, camels, and plants like the soma plant in the Vedas.

4. Literary connections:

- The religious literature of the ancient Iranians, as recorded in the Avesta, contains references to people and tribes with names similar to those mentioned in the Vedas.
- The Yashts, a collection of hymns in the Avesta, mention the "Aryan land" and the "Aryan people," which could be a reference to the Vedic Aryans.

Considering all these grounds, it is plausible to believe that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race. The linguistic, cultural, religious, and historical connections provide compelling evidence of their shared ancestry and close relationship.
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What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?a)It is mentioned in the religious literature of the ancient Iraniansb)It is mentioned in the Yajur Vedac)There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avestad)The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of avent IranCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?a)It is mentioned in the religious literature of the ancient Iraniansb)It is mentioned in the Yajur Vedac)There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avestad)The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of avent IranCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?a)It is mentioned in the religious literature of the ancient Iraniansb)It is mentioned in the Yajur Vedac)There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avestad)The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of avent IranCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?a)It is mentioned in the religious literature of the ancient Iraniansb)It is mentioned in the Yajur Vedac)There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avestad)The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of avent IranCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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