Not to prefer myths over facts

Kashmir’s history is often marked by vague definitions and disconnections between different periods of early human relations. Thanks to archaeologists, we can now delve into times before written languages existed. Their findings allow scholars to approach our ancient life and culture in a specialised and scientific manner. Historically, we have relied heavily on myths, while globally, mythological accounts are being tested scientifically. However, due to our prejudices, we still prefer myths over facts.

Unlike history, which relies on written records and documents, we have struggled to establish an authentic link with any past human civilisation, leading to speculative conclusions. Confusing reports from various works have compelled our scholars to write papers like “Dard and Dardistan—the unknown tribe with unknown country” (Zafar Iqbal).

That can be said about Kashmir as well in the broader sense, as our rich mother tongue ' Koshur ' has been classified as Dardic, though challenged by scholars. Many inhabitants of these regions do not identify themselves with the term “Dard” and prefer to be recognised as Aryans. Modern scholarship has also questioned the classification of Dardic languages as proposed by Georg Abraham Grierson. One is convinced to consider it outdated and based on limited data. Also, archaeological findings based on written and physical materials are beginning to solve this puzzle, reshaping our historical narratives and social behaviour.

These significant material findings not only provide insights into the transformation of human behaviour and adaptation but also aid in rewriting the linguistic evolution of the so-called Dardic subgroup of languages. This will surely help us to understand the historical, social, and cultural behaviours of the Dards, and the country they came from..

The classification of Dardic languages has been a subject of much debate and research. Here’s a brief overview:

Origin of the word: The name Dardan (ethnonym Dardani/; toponym Dardania) is traditionally connected to the same root as Dardhe, the Albanian word for pear, as well as Albanian dardhan, dardan, meaning farmer. The ethnonym pirsutae, which is attested since Roman times for a tribe close to the Dardani or living in Dardania, is considered to be the Latin pirus “ pear” which would confirm the link with the Albanian dardhe. This is suggested by Johann George Von Hahn first in 1854, as the fact that toponyms related to fruits or animals are not unknown in the region ( as in Kashmir). Albanian typical toponyms formed with similar word root as dardhe have been attested: Dardhan-i(in 1467CE), Dardhasi(1431) Dardas (1467), Dardhe-a(1417) Darda, Darddhice-a (1431) Darlish 2019 pp38).

The name of the Dardani is mentioned for the first time in the epic Iliad in the form of Dardanus who founded Dardnus on the coast of Anatolia and his people the Dardanoi from which the toponym Dadanelles is derived. The name “Dardanelles” comes from the ancient city of Dardanus, located in the Troad region near ancient Troy. The city was named after Dardanus, the mythical son of Zeus and Electra. This naming occurred around the time when Mithradates VI, the king of Pontus, and the Roman general Sulla signed a treaty there in 85 BCE.

It is also said the name Darda is of Hebrew origin meaning “pearl of wisdom” as per International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia.

Historical Context: The term “Dardistan” in English was popularised by Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner in 1902) The fact is Persian scholars used the term “Dard istan” in their chronicles. It has roots in ancient texts. The Vedic sources refer to the tribe as “Daradas”. Thus it was not invented by Leinter.

Geographical and Linguistic Scope: Dardistan generally refers to regions in northern Pakistan and northern Kashmir, including areas like Chitral, Swat, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The people in these regions speak Dardic languages, which are a subset of the Indo-Iranian language.  Inhabitants of regions like the Gurez valley in India, who speak Shina, often identify with the term “Dard” and enjoy certain governmental benefits due to their recognized status.

Alexander the Great’s Influence: Alexander united the Greek city-states under Macedonian hegemony. His tutor, the philosopher Aristotle, deeply influenced his appreciation for Greek culture, philosophy, and science.

Throughout his conquests, Alexander spread Greek language, culture, and ideas across the vast territories he conquered, marking the Hellenistic Era. Phoenicians and Greeks spread across in large numbers and settled in the Indian Subcontinent as well. The area was named as,”Dardistan, but was locally known as ''Arya varta''.

Both civilisations had deep ties, with the Greeks learning shipbuilding and navigation from the Phoenicians. The Puranas, such as the Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, and Vamana Purana, indeed mention the Daradas alongside other ancient tribes like the Kambojas, Chinas, and Tushara. These texts place the Daradas in the northern regions, indicating their presence in the Uttarapatha division of ancient India, which includes parts of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. This relationship led to significant cultural assimilation, especially during the Hellenistic period when Greek language and culture spread widely.

Mentions in the Mahabharata: Often considered the encyclopaedia of ancient India, Mahabharata provides comprehensive geographical details. It mentions the Daradas as living in the mountainous areas, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Gilgit, Baltistan, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mahabharata places the Daradas among the tribes on the fringes of Aryan civilization, highlighting their warrior nature and strategic importance due to their geographical location.

The text also depicts the distinct identity of the Daradas, emphasising their unique customs, language, and traditions compared to the central Aryan tribes who had migrated here via central Asia. The Dardas are clearly identified as one of the tribes that assembled for the great Kurukshetra war, fighting on the side of the Kauravas (Bhishma Parva, “Book of Bhishma”). Additionally, the Dardas are noted as one of the tribes that paid tribute to Yudhishthira during his Rajasuya Yajna, a grand sacrificial ceremony.

Kalhana also records Darda living in hilly areas as warriors by nature besides that he mentions several notable Darda leaders playing significant roles in the history of this region. These leaders who have ruled their region in alliance with Kashmiri kings, include; Acala Mangala during the reign of Ananta of Kashmir (AD 1028 to 1063). Vidhyadhar Shahi during the reign of Harsa (AD 1089 to 1101). Jagaddala during the time of Uccala (AD 1101 to 1111). Manidhara during the time of Sussala (AD 1112 to 1120). Yasodhara during the rule of Jayasimha (AD 1128 to 1150). These leaders significantly impacted the political and military landscape of their times, often interacting with the rulers of Kashmir and neighbouring regions.

There influx in greater numbers to Kashmir can be noticed in many spheres of life and also by the fact that many place here are prefixed with Darad or Dara as has been practise in Dardanian Kingdom, like Daradepora, Darde Khote, Dardegam, Darde Bagh Darwan, Darde Koot, Dar Bagh, Dara etc.

Poets have also used Darda in their verses. Mehjoor says ویسئ ونتہ درد باغس آمت بہار آسیا

Despite these documented facts there is often confusion due to reliance on the accounts of English writers. This tendency leads to the neglect of vital clues recorded in our own valued ancient works, such as the Puranas (3rd to 6th century and later half of the first Millennium CE, mediaeval period ) Mahabharata (3rd Century BCE-3rd CE describing Kurukshetra, event traditionally dated to around 1200 BCE to 800 BCE ) and Rajtarangini ( 1248-49)

Conclusion: The historical connections between the Kashmiri and greek civilizations, though not directly evidenced in ancient records, are suggested by striking parallels in language and lifestyle.

These connections, particularly before and after Alexander’s conquest of the Indian subcontinent, highlight the dynamic nature of human culture and the complexities of historical narratives often clouded by misconceptions and inaccuracies. Recent findings by the Archaeological Survey of Kosovo, supported by ancient texts, enabled us to trace the origins of the Darda tribe to old Dardania, named after the Greek god Dardun.

The Dardani, after the fall of their kingdom to the Romans, migrated to various regions, including the Indian subcontinent. Their settlement in the hilly areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northern India, including Kashmir, led to significant cultural and linguistic integration with the local populations. Thereafter the internal migration and subsequent integration transformed Kashmir, previously known as Arya Varta, into a region with notable Greek influences. The similarities between the Kashmiri language and culture and those of the Dardanian population, who had Illyrian roots, are particularly striking. These historical connections warrant a re-evaluation of the Kashmiri language within the linguistic classifications established by Grierson.

 By: Shamshad Kralwari

The author is a former director CBS, Radio Kashmir, Srinagar.