संवाद # 177: Big myth of Indian DNA, Aryan Invasion, intercaste marriages | Gyaneshwer Chaubey

This संवाद was recorded at a beautiful homestay in Varanasi - Ratnakar Bhawan. Special thanks are due to Ratnakar family, especially Rahul & his mother for facilitating this. Check out RATNAKAR BHAWAN (HERITAGE HOMESTAY), Varanasi on MakeMyTrip: https://app.mmyt.co/Xm2V/2wmlcl5b.

Gyaneshwer Chaubey, a biological anthropologist, has dedicated his research career to unraveling the mysteries of human migration and population dynamics. Beginning as a Ph.D. student at the Estonian Biocentre and University of Tartu in Estonia, he later held positions as a scientist and senior scientist. He also served as a visiting scientist at the Sanger Centre in the United Kingdom.

In 2017, he returned to India, assuming the role of a full professor in the Department of Zoology at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Chaubey's research primarily focuses on understanding the peopling of South and Southeast Asia, with a keen interest in various ethnic groups such as the Andaman, Austroasiatic, Indian Jews, Siddi, Roma, and Parsis. Employing a combination of genetic markers and computational tools, he investigates the impacts of migration, genetic drift, and selection on the demographic history of South Asia while also contributing to the development of new analytical methodologies.


0:00 Intro
2:05 How to find out our ancestors
9:32 Who came to Indian first
12:05 Half of world population was Indian, 25,000 years ago
15:30 North South populations evolved separately
17:46 Everyone who came to India assimilated
19:36 North Indians fair, South Indians dark - Why
22:31 Even brothers can have different skin colour
23:43 MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand - DNA & language variation
26:26 R1a gene - Aryan/Brahmin DNA?
30:12 Is R1a gene Indian or Aryan?
34:08 R1s gene’s origin NOT European
36:38 R1a & Iran theory Vs Southeast Asia
39:03 Rakhigarhi & Indus Valley DNA
41:09 Central govt not funding ancient DNA research
43:51 Aryan Invasion theory’s politics
46:19 When Professor tested his Brahmin DNA
48:02 DNA of Haryanvi रोड़ caste - most Aryan?
53:10 Genghis Khan’s DNA & Hazaras of Pakistan
54:44 Hindu Jat, Muslim Jat & Sikh Jat DNA
56:55 Moolnivasi & Rahul Gandhi’s DNA
58:00 Rajput DNA of different states
1:00:42 Intra caste marriages & genetic diseases
1:06:43 Rajasthan DNA
1:08:23 Terai belt DNA - Tibetan
1:10:11 Himalayan states ancestry - Siberian link
1:12:14 आपने Yeti देखा है?
1:12:58 DNA of Ahoms & Thailand link
1:15:39 DNA of Rohingyas
1:16:50 DNA of North East India
1:20:46 Sinhalese have Marathi DNA
1:22:55 Lakshadweep DNA
1:24:27 DNA of Telangana Muslims - shocking?
1:25:44 Heart attack in youth & DNA link
1:28:28 DNA & diet link
1:30:40 DNA, headaches & ulcer
1:32:08 Arranged marriages se pehle DNA test karo
1:33:05 Importance of DNA methylation test
1:35:58 Musahar community’s unique aspect
1:37:46 Shocking story of Ajnala skeletons - Indian soldiers
1:47:13 Brutality of the British - Indian Skull in a Pub
1:49:13 Indian DNA in Mesopotamia
1:54:25 DNA studies field is most exciting