#ancient pakistan

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Head of Buddha, Gandharan style, 100s, Pakistan.

[witchparade]

[lesbianlenses]

Fertility Goddess, 100s CE. Pakistan, Gandhara, reportedly Charsada, early Kushan period. Terracotta; height: 10.5in. Female figures fashioned from terracotta were found at large man-made pools of water in early Buddhist sacred compounds. They indicate the importance of art and rites associated with fertility and childbirth among the Buddhist laity, of which women were a major component.

[1five1two]

[classicschronicles]

Hi lovelies,

A few days ago this new Bollywood movie called Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan and John Abrahams, came out and so obviously I HAD to go and watch it. But fun fact about me is that I am literally a melting pot of different cultures. My dads family are Indian-Kenyan. My mums family were initially (back in the 5th-7th century) a family of Jewish royalty in what is now Afghanistan (which is actually pretty cool). They converted to Islam some time later and became part of a very particular Afghani tribe called the Pathaan (also another reason I had to watch this movie). Over the course of the next few centuries they migrated from Afghanistan to India, before being forced into Pakistan because of colonialism. Throughout all of this, my mums branch of the Pathaan tribe stuck together and so even still, my mum’s family in pure Pathaan, but I’m only half Pathaan because my mum married out. However, me being me did some deep diving into this because it’s actually pretty cool that my family tree can be traced back that far. Okay so at this point you’re probably wondering how on earth this related to Classics, but I found out that the Pathaan langue (Pashto) is actually about 2500 years old, which makes it about the same age as Latin and therefore a classical language! And so today I thought I would tell you a little bit about Pashto.

The Pashto language belongs to the Indi-Iranian language family and is mainly spoken by the ethnic communities of Afghanistan and western provinces of Pakistan, which is partially inhabited by Pashtuns (aka Pathaan’s). It is also still the native language of the indigenous Pathaan people. The language is said to have originated in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan and is said to be one of the two national languages (the other being Dari, a Persian language).

The vocabulary of Pashto has actually not been borrowed or derived from other languages, which is extremely rare for any language still spoken in a modern setting. Many of its lexis do, however, relate to other Eastern Iranian languages such as Pamir and Ossetia.

The exact origin of the Pashto language and the Pathaan tribes are unknown, but the word ‘Pashto’ derives from the regular phonological process. Nevertheless, the Pathaan are sometimes compared with the Pakhta tribes mentioned in Rigvenda, around 1700-1100 B.C., apparently they are the same people that the Greek historian Herodotus referred to Paktika (a northern province in Afghanistan). However, this comparison appears to be due in large part to the apparent similarity between their names, despite the fact that etymologically it can’t really be justified. But there are some archeological compilations and historical data and so the majority of researchers now believe that the Pashto language is around 25000 years old.

Herodotus also mentions the Paktika ‘Apridai’ tribe but it is unknown what language they spoke. However, Strabo (who lived between 64 B.C. and 24 C.E.) suggests that the tribes inhabiting the lands west of the Indus River were part of Ariana and to their east was India. Since about the 3rd century B.C. and onwards from that, these tribes were mostly referred to by the name ‘Afghan’ (or ‘Abgan’) and their language as ‘Afghani’.

Many historians and scholars believe that the earliest piece of written Pashto work dates back to the 8th century. However, a lot of history outside of the western empires lacks the same clarity and information and so even this is highly disputed. However, during the 17th century, Pashto poetry became very popular amongst the Pathaan.

To be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of information on the Pashtun language or the origin of the Pathaan, other than that they have been around since the B.C. But it’s pretty cool to me that my families culture has such a long history. This entry was pretty special to me so hopefully you all enjoyed it and I hope you all have a lovely rest of your weekend!

~Z

[joelchaimholtzman]

Happy to share the final portrait of the batch I painted for the Numenera RPG!

Sesson is the High Priest of the village. He sees himself as a reflection of his patron deity, caring and kind, and thus a figure of responsibility. In addition to helping those in need, Sesson's role includes observing holidays and religious rituals in the temple.

Hope you like it,

Best,

JCH

[a-safe-and-quiet-place]

"Rawalpindi, 1910"

Original - Colorized via AI

Check all my colorized antique works in #asafeandquietplace

[meluhha]

Traces of Dravidian languages in North India & Pakistan

Some estimates suggest that there are between 100 to 200 Dravidian loanwords in Balochi:

Akni - Rice (from the Dravidian word "akkan")

Bhat - Rice (from the Dravidian word "paddi")

Bar - Big (from the Dravidian word "peru")

Chamak - Shine (from the Dravidian word "chamakka")

Cheez - Thing (from the Dravidian word "sizha")

Danka - Bell (from the Dravidian word "tanka")

Daraz - Long (from the Dravidian word "tarai")

Dasht - Desert (from the Dravidian word "takkam")

Dhoro - Stream (from the Dravidian word "dorai")

Dosi - Friend (from the Dravidian word "tozi")

Dunya - World (from the Dravidian word "taniya")

Ghan - Garden (from the Dravidian word "kanne")

Ghash - Grass (from the Dravidian word "kacca") 

Ghom - Bend (from the Dravidian word "kombu")

Gich - Thicket (from the Dravidian word "kitchi")  

Gida - Cow (from the Dravidian word "kudai") 

Gosht - Meat (from the Dravidian word "kozhi")

Gwadar - Port (from the Dravidian word "katara")

Kach - River (from the Dravidian word "kacca")

Kachkool - Beggar (from the Dravidian word "kaccha") 

Kaj - Glass (from the Dravidian word "kaccha")  

Kandah - Blind (from the Dravidian word "kandu") 

Kanjar - Itinerant tribe (from the Dravidian word "kanchari") 

Kapar - Cloth (from the Dravidian word "kappar") 

Karkhan - Workshop (from the Dravidian word "karkhana") 

Kharboza - Melon (from the Dravidian word "karbu")

Kuch - Key (from the Dravidian word "kuchi")

Kufri - Potato (from the Dravidian word "kukkiri")

Kup - Pot (from the Dravidian word "kuppi")

Kurr - Pot (from the Dravidian word "kudam")

Laddu - Sweet (from the Dravidian word "laddu")

Lar - Stream (from the Dravidian word "alaru") 

Las - Leaf (from the Dravidian word "ilai")

Mach - Fish (from the Dravidian word "matsya")

Makaan - House (from the Dravidian word "makkan") 

Makan - Mat (from the Dravidian word "mattai") 

Makkol - Ant (from the Dravidian word "makkoli") 

Manj - Cot (from the Dravidian word "manjai") 

Menj - Bed (from the Dravidian word "menju")

Mitha - Sweet (from the Dravidian word "mitai")

Moch - Goat (from the Dravidian word "mokka")

Munda - Boy (from the Dravidian word "munda") 

Naga - Naked (from the Dravidian word "naga")

Nagin - Snake (from the Dravidian word "nagini")

Nara - Man (from the Dravidian word "nara")

Nari - Woman (from the Dravidian word "nari") 

Naram - Soft (from the Dravidian word "naramu") 

Naukri - Job (from the Dravidian word "nokku")

Pakka - Cooked (from the Dravidian word "paka")

Palang - Bed (from the Dravidian word "palanku")

Palki - Palanquin (from the Dravidian word "palaku")

Pani - Water (from the Dravidian word "pani")

Panyar - Flour (from the Dravidian word "paniyaram")

Pashmina - Wool (from the Dravidian word "pashm")

Phana - Snake (from the Dravidian word "pana")

Phanda - Trap (from the Dravidian word "phandu")

Pind - Village (from the Dravidian word "pindu")

Pukka - Solid (from the Dravidian word "pukka") 

Rait - Sand (from the Dravidian word "arai")

Rang - Color (from the Dravidian word "rang")

Resham - Silk (from the Dravidian word "rezham")

Roh - Sun (from the Dravidian word "ravi")

Saman - Goods (from the Dravidian word "samana")

Sanj - Evening (from the Dravidian word "santati")

Sanni - Gold (from the Dravidian word "sonne")

Sardar - Leader (from the Dravidian word "sardara")

Sardi - Cold (from the Dravidian word "sardi")

Sark - Brocade (from the Dravidian word "sarkara")

Saunf - Fennel (from the Dravidian word "sombu")

Saz - Decoration (from the Dravidian word "sajja")

Seeng - Horn (from the Dravidian word "singam")

Sosan - Jasmine (from the Dravidian word "champaka")

Sumbal - Hyacinth (from the Dravidian word "chambakam")

Sur - Tune (from the Dravidian word "suram")

Surma - Kohl (from the Dravidian word "surmai")

Tamaash - Entertainment (from the Dravidian word "tamasha")

Taweez - Amulet (from the Dravidian word "tavi")

Thor - Arrow (from the Dravidian word "turu")

Tunda - Sharp (from the Dravidian word "tundu") 

Tunk - Hard (from the Dravidian word "tunku") 

Tutak - Parrot (from the Dravidian word "tuti") 

Uch - High (from the Dravidian word "ucchi") 

Udan - Flight (from the Dravidian word "udan") 

Umar - Age (from the Dravidian word "umaru") 

Utar - Descend (from the Dravidian word "utarai")

Wari - Fort (from the Dravidian word "varai")

Yak - One (from the Dravidian word "yeka")

Zang - Bangle (from the Dravidian word "sangam") 

Zarak - Gold (from the Dravidian word "sarakku")

Zard - Yellow (from the Dravidian word "jara")

Zaheen - Intelligent (from the Dravidian word "sahana")

Zangi - Black (from the Dravidian word "kari")

Ziarat - Pilgrimage (from the Dravidian word "chariya")

Zulfa - Tassel (from the Dravidian word "sulka")

It is generally believed that Sindhi has a significant number of words from Dravidian languages. Some estimates suggest that there are around 300 to 400 Dravidian loanwords in Sindhi, although the actual number may be higher or lower.

Prakrit

Acala (from Tamil "akalam," meaning time)

Aditi (from Tamil "aditi," meaning free from bonds)

Agara (from Tamil "akaram," meaning letter)

Ajagara (from Tamil "acankaram," meaning python)

Ajina (from Tamil "acanam," meaning skin)

Akasa (from Tamil "akasam," meaning sky)

Amba (from Tamil "ambu," meaning water)

Ambara (from Tamil "amparam," meaning clothing)

Ambaraṣa (from Tamil "amparacca," meaning shade)

Amma (from Tamil "amma," meaning mother)

Aṃsa (from Tamil "ampu," meaning shoulder)

Anila (from Tamil "anilam," meaning wind)

Apa (from Tamil "appa," meaning water)

Arjuna (from Tamil "arijuna," meaning white-flowered myrobalan)

Asa (from Tamil "acai," meaning hope)

Asana (from Tamil "asanam," meaning seat)

Aṭa (from Tamil "atta," meaning grain)

Avarodha (from Tamil "avarodam," meaning obstacle)

Ayasa (from Tamil "ayacu," meaning iron)

Ayya (from Tamil "acca," meaning father)

Baddha (from Tamil "vattam," meaning circle)

Bhadda (from Tamil "pattam," meaning cloth)

Bhanda (from Tamil "pandam," meaning vessel)

Bhava (from Tamil "pava," meaning being)

Bheda (from Tamil "petai," meaning division)

Bhrasta (from Tamil "purasadam," meaning ruined)

Bila (from Tamil "vilai," meaning hole)

Bimba (from Tamil "vimpu," meaning image)

Bujanga (from Tamil "puzhankam," meaning serpent)

Cakra (from Tamil "cakkaram," meaning wheel)

Camma (from Tamil "camai," meaning garment)

Candana (from Tamil "kantu," meaning sandalwood)

Candra (from Tamil "candram," meaning moon)

Carma (from Tamil "carimam," meaning skin)

Caru (from Tamil "caru," meaning rice)

Casaka (from Tamil "cakkaram," meaning pot)

Cattra (from Tamil "cattiram," meaning heroic deed)

Catura (from Tamil "catiram," meaning clever)

Caura (from Tamil "cavarai," meaning thief)

Cela (from Tamil "celam," meaning cloth)

Cesta (from Tamil "cetam," meaning action)

Citra (from Tamil "citiram," meaning picture)

Culla (from Tamil "cuḷḷam," meaning group)

Dadhi (from Tamil "tati," meaning curd)

Dana (from Tamil "tana," meaning wealth)

Danta (from Tamil "tantu," meaning thread)

Daru (from Tamil "taram," meaning wood)

Dhana (from Tamil "tana," meaning wealth)

Dhamma (from Tamil "tamam," meaning religious doctrine)

Dhanu (from Tamil "tani," meaning bow)

Dosa (from Tamil "tosai," meaning pancake)

Duhkha (from Tamil "tukkam," meaning sorrow)

Dvipa (from Tamil "tivam," meaning island)

Gada (from Tamil "kattai," meaning stick)

Gandha (from Tamil "kandam," meaning fragrance)

Gata (from Tamil "kadam," meaning gone)

Gaya (from Tamil "kai," meaning hand)

Ghata (from Tamil "katam," meaning jar)

Giri (from Tamil "kiri," meaning mountain)

Godha (from Tamil "kotai," meaning pond)

Godhuma (from Tamil "kothumai," meaning wheat)

Gola (from Tamil "kollam," meaning circle)

Gopura (from Tamil "kovil," meaning temple)

Guna (from Tamil "kunam," meaning quality)

Guti (from Tamil "kuti," meaning hut)

Hamsa (from Tamil "amsam," meaning swan)

Hasti (from Tamil "asti," meaning elephant)

Himavat (from Tamil "himam," meaning snow)

Iṣa (from Tamil "icai," meaning lord)

Jala (from Tamil "jalam," meaning water)

Jantu (from Tamil "jantu," meaning animal)

Jaya (from Tamil "jayam," meaning victory)

Jina (from Tamil "canam," meaning victory)

Jivha (from Tamil "cipam," meaning tongue)

Jnana (from Tamil "nanam," meaning knowledge)

Kacca (from Tamil "kacai," meaning green)

Kala (from Tamil "kalai," meaning art)

Kalya (from Tamil "kali," meaning sport)

Kama (from Tamil "kamam," meaning desire)

Kanta (from Tamil "kantam," meaning beloved)

Kara (from Tamil "karai," meaning shore)

Karman (from Tamil "karamam," meaning action)

Karu (from Tamil "karu," meaning embryo)

Karya (from Tamil "karyam," meaning work)

Kasa (from Tamil "kacai," meaning cough)

Kastha (from Tamil "kasam," meaning stick)

Kavaca (from Tamil "kavacam," meaning armor)

Kaya (from Tamil "kai," meaning body)

Kesa (from Tamil "kesam," meaning hair)

Khara (from Tamil "karai," meaning salty)

Kirti (from Tamil "kiruttam," meaning fame)

Kosa (from Tamil "kosam," meaning treasury)

Krsna (from Tamil "karuṇai," meaning black)

Kula (from Tamil "kudai," meaning family)

Kumara (from Tamil "kumaran," meaning youth)

Kumbha (from Tamil "kumpai," meaning pot)

Kusa (from Tamil "kusam," meaning grass)

Lata (from Tamil "ilai," meaning leaf)

Lavana (from Tamil "lavanam," meaning salt)

[lionheartlr]

Discover Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

A Brief History of Bangladesh Bangladesh, located in South Asia, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The region was known as Bengal and was a significant cultural and commercial hub. Over the centuries, it saw the rise and fall of several dynasties, including the Maurya, Gupta, and Pala empires. Colonial Period In the late 16th century, the region came under Mughal rule, which…

[borgiabeacon]

Final Pool Parties in 3300 BCE

The Indus Valley Civilisation, flourishing between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India, was notable for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organisation. And sewage, people.

The sophisticated sewage and drainage systems of Harappans were unparalleled in the ancient world, with houses connected to a centralised water network preventing most people from dying from germs.

Quite a futuristic feat for that period, as the Harappan settlements predate Rome by millennia, solidifying its place as one of the most populous and significant urban centers of its time.

This system provided sanitation and helped manage the monsoon floods that could have devastated their cities. In the past, these floods used to be ambivalent, enriching the soil and facilitating agriculture, but also posing threatening urban infrastructure and probably even bringing Harappans to their eventual collapse.

Our expert opinion is: when our home gets flooded all the time, we tend to abandon it.

Or we stay, hoping the floods aren't that bad, right?

Illustration by stupid assholw + AI

Further reading:

1. "The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives" by Jane McIntosh, which offers a comprehensive overview of the civilization's architecture, social structure, and potential religious practices.

2. "Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus Civilization" by Marshall Sir John, a pioneering excavation report that provides firsthand observations of the the extensive urban planning of Harappans.

3. "The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective" by Gregory Possehl, which discusses the civilization's technology, trade, and the enigmatic script that remains undeciphered, offering insights into its possible religious beliefs and practices.

[darrylcalmandstrong09]

New Blog. Buddhism in the Modern World

“Buddha is considered the Enlightened One, Blessed One, or to Become awake.” – Dr. Rufus O. Jimerson

To find out more about how Buddhism can contribute to a more compassionate and socially just world, click here: https://rb.gy/0f0az3

[paulpingminho]

[oneworldearth]

OneWorld Economy

Representation of OneWorld OneWorld will undertake action to bring the Third World up to the level of the Second World and shift the First World to the Second World by securing and distributing the wealth from the First World and securing this and distributing this wealth to the Third World to develop in the Second World Level and balancing the Earth Economies a new First World. In addition…

[kumrattourism]

Mohenjo-Daro is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan.

Mohenjo-Daro is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2500 BCE, it was the largest settlement of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, and one of the world’s earliest major cities, contemporaneous with the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Minoan Crete, and Norte Chico. With an estimated population of at least 40,000 people, Mohenjo-Daro prospered…

[rrcraft-and-lore]

In addition to my Monkey Man post from earlier, the always kind & sweet Aparna Verma (author of The Phoenix King, check it out) asked that I do a thread on Hijras, & more of the history around them, South Asia, mythology (because that's my thing), & the positive inclusion of them in Monkey Man which I brought up in my gushing review.

Hijra: They are the transgender, eunuch, or intersex people in India who are officially recognized as the third sex throughout most countries in the Indian subcontinent. The trans community and history in India goes back a long way as being documented and officially recognized - far back as 12th century under the Delhi Sultanate in government records, and further back in our stories in Hinduism. The word itself is a Hindi word that's been roughly translated into English as "eunuch" commonly but it's not exactly accurate.

Hijras have been considered the third sex back in our ancient stories, and by 2014 got official recognition to identify as the third gender (neither male or female) legally. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India have accepted: eunuch, trans, intersex people & granted them the proper identification options on passports and other government official documents.

But let's get into some of the history surrounding the Hijra community (which for the longest time has been nomadic, and a part of India's long, rich, and sometimes, sadly, troubled history of nomadic tribes/people who have suffered a lot over the ages. Hijras and intersex people are mentioned as far back as in the Kama Sutra, as well as in the early writings of Manu Smriti in the 1st century CE (Common Era), specifically said that a third sex can exist if possessing equal male and female seed.

This concept of balancing male/female energies, seed, and halves is seen in two places in South Asian mythos/culture and connected to the Hijra history.

First, we have Aravan/Iravan (romanized) - who is also the patron deity of the transgender community. He is most commonly seen as a minor/village deity and is depicted in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Aravan is portrayed as having a heroic in the story and his self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali earns him a boon.

He requests to be married before his death. But because he is doomed to die so shortly after marriage, no one wants to marry him.

No one except Krishna, who adopts his female form Mohini (one of the legendary temptresses in mythology I've written about before) and marries him. It is through this union of male, and male presenting as female in the female form of Mohini that the seed of the Hijras is said to begun, and why the transgender community often worships Aravan and, another name for the community is Aravani - of/from Aravan.

But that's not the only place where a gender non conforming divine representation can be seen. Ardhanarishvara is the half female form of lord Shiva, the destroyer god.

Shiva combines with his consort Parvarti and creates a form that represents the balancing/union between male/female energies and physically as a perfectly split down the middle half-male half-female being. This duality in nature has long been part of South Asian culture, spiritual and philosophical beliefs, and it must be noted the sexuality/gender has often been displayed as fluid in South Asian epics and the stories. It's nothing new.

Many celestial or cosmic level beings have expressed this, and defied modern western limiting beliefs on the ideas of these themes/possibilities/forms of existence.

Ardhanarishvara signifies "totality that lies beyond duality", "bi-unity of male and female in God" and "the bisexuality and therefore the non-duality" of the Supreme Being.

Back to the Hijra community.

They have a complex and long history. Throughout time, and as commented on in the movie, Monkey Man, the Hijra community has faced ostracization, but also been incorporated into mainstream society there. During the time of the Dehli Sultanate and then later the Mughal Empire, Hijras actually served in the military and as military commanders in some records, they were also servants for wealthy households, manual laborers, political guardians, and it was seen as wise to put women under the protection of Hijras -- they often specifically served as the bodyguards and overseers of harems. A princess might be appointed a Hijra warrior to guard her.

But by the time of British colonialism, anti-Hijra laws began to come in place folded into laws against the many nomadic tribes of India (also shown in part in Monkey Man with Kid (portrayed by Dev Patel) and his family, who are possibly

one of those nomadic tribes that participated in early theater - sadly by caste often treated horribly and relegated to only the performing arts to make money (this is a guess based on the village play they were performing as no other details were given about his family).

Hijras were criminalized in 1861 by the Indian Penal Code enforced by the British and were labeled specifically as "The Hijra Problem" -- leading to an anti-Hijra campaign across the subcontinent with following laws being enacted: punishing the practices of the Hijra community, and outlawing castration (something many Hijra did to themselves). Though, it should be noted many of the laws were rarely enforced by local Indian officials/officers. But, the British made a point to further the laws against them by later adding the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which targeted the Hijra community along with the other nomadic Indian tribes - it subjected them to registration, tracking/monitoring, stripping them of children, and their ability to sequester themselves in their nomadic lifestyle away from the British Colonial Rule.

Today, things have changed and Hijras are being seen once again in a more positive light (though not always and this is something Monkey Man balances by what's happened to the community in a few scenes, and the heroic return/scene with Dev and his warriors). All-hijra communities exist and sort of mirror the western concept of "found families" where they are safe haven/welcoming place trans folks and those identifying as intersex.

These communities also have their own secret language known as Hijra Farsi, which is loosely based on Hindi, but consists of a unique vocabulary of at least 1,000 words.

As noted above, in 2014, the trans community received more legal rights.

Specifically: In April 2014, Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan declared transgender to be the third gender in Indian law in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India.

Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as "third gender" for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of our Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State Legislature. Transgender persons' right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.

I've included some screenshots of (some, not all, and certainly not the only/definitive reads) books people can check out about SOME of the history. Not all again. This goes back ages and even our celestial beings/creatures have/do display gender non conforming ways.

There are also films that touch on Hijra history and life. But in regards to Monkey Man, which is what started this thread particularly and being asked to comment - it is a film that positively portrayed India's third sex and normalized it in its depiction. Kid the protagonist encounters a found family of Hijras at one point in the story (no spoilers for plot) and his interactions/acceptance, living with them is just normal. There's no explaining, justifying, anything to/for the audience. It simply is. And, it's a beautiful arc of the story of Kid finding himself in their care/company.