The Historical Gage of Alexander : An Anthropological

International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 9 Issue 4, April 2019, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081

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1019 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

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The Historical Gage of Alexander : An

Anthropological Dynamics Among the

Highland Nomads

Banita Behera*

A continuous effort of disseminating the knowledge of profound cultural heritage is running

since decades to strengthen the academic discipline of Museum Anthropology and to share the

resources of ethnographic studies for a better research in the field of Anthropology. The noble

idea conceptualised to develop a new paradigm of anthropological research that began with the

plantation of a few species of experimental ethnographic research in Museums which will help to

find the socio-historical roots in order to accomplish a strong outcome. Besides the diachronic

and synchronic enquiries by Anthropologists the documentation of inter- ethnic interaction in the

context of History and Anthropology for the quest of some new innovations are undergoing to

help the human science to explain their historical movement and impact of other countries

largely.Museums across the world have been undergoing major transformations endeavouring to

become more relevant, reflexive and engaged beyond the repositories and exhibitions. Talking

about the ethnographic studies by Museum Anthropologists in search for relevance of

indigenous aboriginal are playing a major role now a day to talk about the inter global

connections and to situate the important cultural roots among them to maintain the authenticity

of Indigenous Peoples. This paper also tries to ponder upon the democratic values of a high

altitude community who investigated by the author in order to express their effective link with

past Alexander the Great/ Germans and now narrating their larger existential reality in Indian

Civilisation. Thelong lasting impact of Alexander‟s invasion left great impact on the intellectual

and social life of many communities of India, who are struggling for their identity now a days

* Anthropological Survey of India, Zonal Anthropological Museum, Andaman & Nicobar

Regional Centre, Port Blair-744101, A&N

ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081



and trying to safeguard their cultural heritage. This fieldwork was aimed to explore the effective

historical link of the nomads through anthropological study and to highlight the empirical

findings of the fieldwork which done during the ethnographic study.

Keywords: Museum Anthropology, Historical Analysis, Ethnography, Culture, High altitude.

Introduction:

From prehistoric time onwards Anthropologist has gathered innumerable evidences regarding the

close and intricate relationship between man and environment. In the studies of anthropology

especially with the help of historical analysis with focus of anthropological dynamics we have

the scope and capability to specialise on the studies of man-environment relationships.Because

of certain inhospitable circumstances no much work have been done so far among the Brokpa

tribes. This has resulted severe flaws in anthropological understanding of their origin and

historical background as well as understanding of their Cultures. Mostly high altitude areas are

confined to the Himalayan belt of Northern India. Except few regions of Nepal and Uttarakhand

in most of the areas because of inaccessibility, no anthropological study was possible in the past.

Because of this, we lack substantial data in the fields of border line migration, socio-cultural

interaction and the continuity of social identity of certain high altitude communities mostly in the

field of Anthropology.

While continuing with the anthropological methodology to thrive within the framework

of cultural evolutionism and ideological corollary certain questions raised in the mind of the

researcher like.

Why they claim themselves as the descendents of Alexander?

Do they really belongs to the race how far the anthropological study with the help of

historical evidences may lead to this truth?

Why the anthropological dynamics creating intangible dioramas with the collections of

their songs, myths and legends to narrate their historical migration and connection with the

Macedonians?

Taking into account the records of the Brokpas of Dah, Hanu, Bima and Garkone village of

Kargil district, NorthenLadakh the ethnographic studies and anthropological pedagogical




functions regarding their ancestry were created lot of hypothesis by the anthropologists,

historians and philosophers.

The Brokpa living in these threatening areas are struggling to survive and their cultures as their

place the public domain has been a long route. With the anthropological approaches the idea

came to explore the possible traits and elements of Social Integration from the isolated areas of

India and Pakistan to maintain peace, harmony and healthy socio-cultural and economic growth.

Information pertaining to the range of data collected from Brokpa tribe of Tiger hills, and a

sensible amount of arranged data from Kalash tribe, Gilgit, Pakistan made in contextualising the

information to arouse a sense of respect to their historical bonding to affirm and preserve the

elements of their cultural identity. The community of curators who concerns and who have

established a prototype of their past historical tradition of Museology in their premise, now

drawing light into the aspects of their historical migration from then to now with new

experimental ethnographic studies. Besides the diachronic and synchronic enquiries, the inter-

ethnic interaction in the context of Museum and Anthropology for the quest of some new

innovations are undergoing to help the human science to explain their movement largely dealt

with tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In this study an attempt made to explore the role of

Anthropological and historical studies in finding out the new cultural roots of high altitude

nomads through ethnographic research.

The Brokpa : (people‟s designation as „Arayan‟)- In Dah-Hanu, Bima and Garkone

villages.(8,000ft to 10,000ft altitude)

As per their mythical stories and legends the Ladkh region

was once home to the major population of Aryans

(Drads).The word Brok means high pasture land and

Brokpa means High-lander people. The community calls

itself Minaro (meaning Aryan) , but arepopularly known as

Brokpa. They are part of the Dards some of whom are

found in isolated pockets ofIndiaare popularly known as

Brokpa.

This belief has been found somewhat true after the archaeological findings in the region. The




present-day population of the Mongoloid descendants can be attributed to the migration of their

ancestors in the past. Human settlements in the Himalayas have also been highly influenced by

topography and economic patterns. But climatic conditions remain the most important factor

since extreme climate in the Himalayan region has always imposed restrictions on the living

conditions and also restricted communication and movement.

The community calls itself Aryan, but arepopularly known as Brokpa by the local Ladakhis.

They are part of the Dards some of whom are found in isolated pockets ofIndiaare popularly

known as Brokpa.They main source of income lays mainlywith the sale of the goat wool that is

used to make the famous Pashmina wool.Some data explored and arose some queries that

historically people‟s migration from far off places and to develop adaptation to such high altitude

regions. From the contemporary study of culture through the documentation of some cultural

roots related to their livelihood systems and their associated socio-cultural institutions, forced to

enquire their historical past which leads some fact which can explain their background connected

with Alexander the great. While enquiring about the past historical tradition, the reasons and

purposes of migration will be also made very clear for the explanation of the current situations

and leads to a new paradigm.

Leh

NimuRong

Nimu

Saspol

NurlaKhaltsi

DumkharUlek

Scrubuchan

HanuThang

Tiger Hills

Byopa

Biamha

Dah-Hannu

Garkone

Meeting point of Zanskar and Indus river

12336 ft

L O C Route map during journey to Kargil

ZanskarChadertreak (a winter-trail)




From the pilot survey it has been very interestingly gathered that as per the people‟s version in

the north-western part of Himalaya the community said to be descendants of Alexander, the

Great, usually inhabit a contiguous area maintaining some sort of socio-cultural interaction as

well as integration. While enquiring about community depending upon the same surrounding

environment, several interesting dimensions crop up for this anthro-historical study. The

interesting dimension which leads to annewanthropological dynamics with association of

historical gage thattheir ancestors still lives in Pakistan.

A situation of cultural transition between European and Indian .

Taking various historical cultural roots and factors observed and explained by the community

itself for the understanding and explanation of this mysterious background some of the facts

were examined as follows.

The facts leading to their historywith Alexander:

(“All primitive cultures have their own unique and particular histories…” -Franz Boas) It is a

belief of the Brokpa that their ancestors were came with Alexander and stayed at Gilgit

(Pakistan), bordering to Kargil. The need of historical exploration, their migration from far off

places and the contemporary study of certain tangible and intangible traits through we able to

understood their associated historical past. Without enquiring the historical past no fact can

explain their background so well. While enquiring about the past historical tradition, and cultural

roots the reasons and purposes of migration were also made very clear for the explanation of

their current situations.




Firstly, this place is the borderline of Pakistan and India the „Aryans‟ the descendants of

Alexander, the Great from Macedonia came to Gilgit following which the so called Brokpas

originated in the locality especially in the villages of Dah-Hanu, Bimaand Garkone. As per their

statement when after the Hydaspis war fought in the bank of river Hydaspis (currently Jhillum)

the 3 brothers from Alexsander‟s army named Galo, Milo and Duloescaped and came towards

India and stayed at Gilgit(now in Pakistan). After a long stay two brothers proceeded towards

India and stayed in Dah-Hanu village where as the big brother stayed there in Gilgit.

Map showing route of Alexander the Great to India.

This observation is particularly on the myths, legends some saying which cross verifies with the

current facts. It resulted after a big bang when the Brokpa narrate their migration history from

ancient Macedonia to India and about the last fight fought between king Pourus and Alexander.

The defeat of Alexander and migration of three brothers from the Alexander‟s army was a cipher

for the Greeks which now a days attracts most of the German ladies to Brokpa village for cross-

breeding to take their racial identity in their womb. It was from this cipher that the three brothers

stayed in different villages of Kargil whereas elder one stayed at Gilgit, Pakistan emerged though

the existed from time immemorial. The creation was begun in India but the stranded Greeks were

the authors of the creation. Describing the grand event Bonahna (bumper harvesting) festival

prior to Godthey celebrate it with 2 years gap committed to each three brother respectively. The

ceremony with same concept celebrated by the Kalash tribe (current in Baltistan) as the

committed part of the elder brother among three.




The Kalash:

The map showing Map showing ancestral place of Brokpas.

The Kalash tribe who resides in the remote mountains of North-western Pakistan consider

themselves as descendants of Alexander the Great‟s Army. They lived mostly in isolation since

from the war held more than 2300 years ago (same narrated by the Brokpas). The narrations in

their legends and myths somehow hints the same story of three brothers and celebrates the

Bonahna (bumper harvesting) festival in a two years interval as their committed part. Explaining

the part of similarities between adornment patterns the knotting pattern of the women is also

very similar which is inherited from their ancestors the Macedonians .

The sculpture of ancient Macedonian lady displayed in

Some how proves their statement.




The Adornment Pattern a Key Symbol:

Batchi is a drape made of goat hide used by the Brokpa women to present honour to their

decedent Alexander the Great, the Brokpa women wear this drape as an inseparable part of their

attire following the symbol of an Aryan. The Batchi which is unique and specific to Brokpas, is

a goat hide which theyprepare from a PashminaGoat. Brokpa domesticate the Pashmina

goatespecially for milk and butter and after death of the goat use the hide as a back cover which

symbolizes them as warrior.

Fact of its existence:

The Batchion the body of a Brokpa woman is counted as a symbol of prosperity according to the

communal belief and to show their divinity aspects to their ancestor (Alexander). Once a girl gets

married she is bound to wear the drape on her back while entering into their cattle shed. Without

adorning herself with this beautiful drape she is unable to participatein any of communal ritual

and dance festive.

Discussion :

With the course of time, Ladakh is attracting more and more both foreign and domestic origin

tourists. There are various tourist attractions in Ladakh region, be it a sightseeing, adventure or

Buddhist tourism. Now these Aryan villages are also emerging as the main source of attraction,

particularly to foreign tourists. But the main thing is that their claim of being pure Aryan needs

to get authenticated by the government authorities or by other agencies. And in case it turns to be

correct, it will not only boost tourism to these villages but also their claims of being pure Aryan

race could be used as a USP (unique selling proposition) in tourism of J&K. At the outset the

mythological and other documented history of the Brokpa, Changpa and Drokpa that gathered

both from the primary and secondary sources had traced some socio-cultural linkages which may

sow the seed of cultural exchange bonding with two countries.

For the present discourse on certain community besides adaptation to local environmental

situations, there was also a need to explore people‟s migrational history from far off places and

to develop adaptation to such high altitude regions. From the contemporary study of culture

though we understand the livelihood systems of the people and their associated socio-cultural

institutions, without enquiring the past no fact can explain their background sowell.




The present work was basically an empirical one because of which emphasis have been given on

primary source data collection through first hand contact. As the approach is basically

synchronic with some sort of diachronic background for getting into the socio-cultural and

demographic details of the community. The challenges that present Ladakh region faces now is

how to cope with the present transaction from remote to an isolated region to developed region

without losing its rich traditional culture. The change in the pattern of local resource usage has

already started to change the livelihood pattern in the region. Till now neither any DNA/ genetic

testing nor any scientific measures were taken to authenticate their claims but they claim to be

pure Aryans just on the basis of their physical appearance and some inherited stories, folklores,

myths, about their being pure Aryans.

Since as per may philosopher and researcher it may also be a gimmick of the locals of these

villages or travel fraternity to attract more and more foreign and domestic tourists to these

villages and to get the publicity such anthropological analysis with help of historical findings is

necessarily required to protect such atypical rich culture.

But the main thing is that their claim of being pure Aryan needs to get authenticated by the

government authorities or by other agencies till the Anthropologists should take up the charge to

establish a healthy relation between two Indo-German countries with protection of such

dynamics of the community.

Acknowledgement:

The Author is thankful to ICSSR for supporting with all necessary funding.

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The Historical Gage of Alexander : An Anthropological