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Journey of A Civilization: Indus to Vaigai
Journey of a Civilization: Indus to Vaigai seeks to establish common grounds and connecting threads that link the riddles of Indology, namely the authorship and language of the Indus Valley Civilization and the origins of Dravidian language speaking people in general and Old Tamil traditions in particular. Balakrishnan considers these issues to be not only interconnected but two sides of the same coin.
This book aims to place new evidence about the Dravidian affiliation with the language of the Indus people, and positions the ancient Sangam Tamil corpus as a proto-document that is relevant for understanding Tamil pre-history, which had probable connections to the Indus Civilization. The spatial and temporal distances between the Indus Valley Civilization and ancient Thamizhagam cannot be restricting factors to tracing Dravidian remnants in the northwestern geographies and its legacy markers in the Sangam texts. Using technological tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS), Balakrishnan has analyzed what he calls the 'Journey of a Civilization’ and argues that place-names are reliable markers to track ancient migrations.
The book celebrates the plural foundations of Indian culture and prefers a narrative of the ‘Rain Forest’ instead of the popular ‘Melting Pot’ metaphor. As P. J. Cherian observes, Balakrishnan has provided a road map for future research with far-reaching consequences.
This book aims to place new evidence about the Dravidian affiliation with the language of the Indus people, and positions the ancient Sangam Tamil corpus as a proto-document that is relevant for understanding Tamil pre-history, which had probable connections to the Indus Civilization. The spatial and temporal distances between the Indus Valley Civilization and ancient Thamizhagam cannot be restricting factors to tracing Dravidian remnants in the northwestern geographies and its legacy markers in the Sangam texts. Using technological tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS), Balakrishnan has analyzed what he calls the 'Journey of a Civilization’ and argues that place-names are reliable markers to track ancient migrations.
The book celebrates the plural foundations of Indian culture and prefers a narrative of the ‘Rain Forest’ instead of the popular ‘Melting Pot’ metaphor. As P. J. Cherian observes, Balakrishnan has provided a road map for future research with far-reaching consequences.
524 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
33 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
R. Balakrishnan
13 books19 followersR. Balakrishnan (ஆர். பாலகிருஷ்ணன்), a postgraduate in Tamil literature, is the first student of Tamil literature to clear the Civil Service exam. He joined the Indian Administration Service in 1984. His initial postings in the Tribal areas of Odisha triggered his interest in Indology, Anthropology and Place-name Studies. It was Iravatham Mahadevan who led Balakrishnan into the area of Indus Studies.
Balakrishnan has published several research papers on Place-name Studies, Odisha's history, and it's plural culture. Using Geographical Information System tools, he formulated the 'Korkai-Vanji-Tondi Complex', a place-name complex in the Indus geography. His paper on High-West:Low-East Dichotomy of Indus cities gained wide attention. His Tamil books on the Dravidian foundations of Indus Civilization received accolades as the 'best book written in Tamil on the subject'.
Balakrishnan is an author, poet and has published several books in Tamil. After 34 years of service with the Government of Odisha and the Government of India, he retired from the Civil Services in 2018. He is currently the Honorary Consultant of the Indus Research Centre of the Roja Muthaih Research Library, Chennai.
Balakrishnan has published several research papers on Place-name Studies, Odisha's history, and it's plural culture. Using Geographical Information System tools, he formulated the 'Korkai-Vanji-Tondi Complex', a place-name complex in the Indus geography. His paper on High-West:Low-East Dichotomy of Indus cities gained wide attention. His Tamil books on the Dravidian foundations of Indus Civilization received accolades as the 'best book written in Tamil on the subject'.
Balakrishnan is an author, poet and has published several books in Tamil. After 34 years of service with the Government of Odisha and the Government of India, he retired from the Civil Services in 2018. He is currently the Honorary Consultant of the Indus Research Centre of the Roja Muthaih Research Library, Chennai.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2025
The idea of a civilization journeying across a subcontinent is in itself very novel and quite fascinating. The author sets out to shed more light on the twin riddles of Indology, the ‘Indus Riddle’ and the ‘Tamil Riddle’, and how they converge. R. Balakrishnan has meticulously presented the available body of research on multiple disciplines (such as genetics, archaeology, onamastics, etc.) and has convincingly proved the idea of ‘Journey of a Cilvilization’. With his accessible use of language and expression of an inclusive outlook, he appeals not just to the scientific community but also to the masses.
There was a conscious effort to show that Indian society foundationally was, is and will always be a plural society. Ignoring the eastern or southern traditions doesn’t do it any favours but only harms the so-called ‘unity’ we always strive for. I found The Rain Forest metaphor describing Indian society to be deeply poetic and profoundly true. I now have a better idea of what's all the fuss about the esteemed Sangam Literature, which I thoroughly enjoyed and deeply connected with. As far as cons go, there were many typos that should have been carefully weeded out and the sheer weight of the book made it difficult to hold on to. However, the charts, the maps, the beautiful coloured pictures and the format of the book add to its readability.
There was a conscious effort to show that Indian society foundationally was, is and will always be a plural society. Ignoring the eastern or southern traditions doesn’t do it any favours but only harms the so-called ‘unity’ we always strive for. I found The Rain Forest metaphor describing Indian society to be deeply poetic and profoundly true. I now have a better idea of what's all the fuss about the esteemed Sangam Literature, which I thoroughly enjoyed and deeply connected with. As far as cons go, there were many typos that should have been carefully weeded out and the sheer weight of the book made it difficult to hold on to. However, the charts, the maps, the beautiful coloured pictures and the format of the book add to its readability.
September 3, 2020
This book tries to resolve the space-time gap between Indus Valley Civilization and the Dravidian population in South India. The research centres around the ancient settlements in and around Madurai, Adichanallur, Keezhadi included. Since the IVC script is yet to be deciphered, the author has looked in to commonalities in culture in terms of names of places, topographies mentioned in ancient Tamil literature, sports like Jalli-katu etc. The research draws a lot from the most ancient Tamil literature, the Tolkappium. Comparative Research on Pottery, city structure like "Mel" and "kil" makes it interesting to read and understand.
A well researched thesis work but written in such a way that it is not as dry as a thesis work. Knowledge of Tamil will be an added advantage while reading the book, even though words from all South Indian languages are used in the study.
Warning - The book is 5 kg in weight!
A well researched thesis work but written in such a way that it is not as dry as a thesis work. Knowledge of Tamil will be an added advantage while reading the book, even though words from all South Indian languages are used in the study.
Warning - The book is 5 kg in weight!
December 20, 2024
Iravatham Mahadevan said , " I have an objection, Why do we still call this a Dravidian
Hypothesis; its no longer a hypothesis, it is indeed Dravidian " - the Indus Valley Civilization. By the end of this book, you will know why he said that - the proofs are overwhelming. I was completely blown away by this book.
There is so much archeological artefacts present in the Indus Valley sites with no literary explanations in Vedic or any other Indian literature. There is so much literary explanations for the Indus Valley in Sangam literature, but the geographical location of TN does not match the Sangam literature. For example, there is no desert in the current geographical location of TN, but Sangam literature is full of desert descriptions and about camels. A BONE-EATING CAMEL is not present in any Indian literature other than Sangam corpus.
How is this possible and how did the Sangam poets knew these exact details of Indus geography and culture - this is because when people migrate, the stories and their gods migrate along with them and those remembrances are documented at a later stage at a different location while the content of those stories belong to the location they came from.
As R Balakrishan sir says, ' Sindhu Samaveli Vitta Idamum, Sangathamizh Totta edamum onre '
The onomastic studies leading to KORKAI-VANJI- THONDI (KVT) complex, the hill gods like Murugan, the epigraphy connections, the town planning continuation, the Hi-West Low-East framework in Dravidian languages, the color RED & COPPER, the POTS, MOTHER GODDESS worship, the VANNI TREE, the JALLIKATTU, the WIND PATTERNS and much much more establishes this beyond doubt.
The recent discoveries from KEELADI and ADICHANALUR and the potsherds establishes the umbilical chord between Indus and Dravidian culture beyond any doubt. Am sure one of these days, a ROSETTA STONE would be found and that would be the day to hit the nail on its head completely.
Every Indian, especially every South Indian, especially every Tamil speaking individual should read this magnum opus.
Hypothesis; its no longer a hypothesis, it is indeed Dravidian " - the Indus Valley Civilization. By the end of this book, you will know why he said that - the proofs are overwhelming. I was completely blown away by this book.
There is so much archeological artefacts present in the Indus Valley sites with no literary explanations in Vedic or any other Indian literature. There is so much literary explanations for the Indus Valley in Sangam literature, but the geographical location of TN does not match the Sangam literature. For example, there is no desert in the current geographical location of TN, but Sangam literature is full of desert descriptions and about camels. A BONE-EATING CAMEL is not present in any Indian literature other than Sangam corpus.
How is this possible and how did the Sangam poets knew these exact details of Indus geography and culture - this is because when people migrate, the stories and their gods migrate along with them and those remembrances are documented at a later stage at a different location while the content of those stories belong to the location they came from.
As R Balakrishan sir says, ' Sindhu Samaveli Vitta Idamum, Sangathamizh Totta edamum onre '
The onomastic studies leading to KORKAI-VANJI- THONDI (KVT) complex, the hill gods like Murugan, the epigraphy connections, the town planning continuation, the Hi-West Low-East framework in Dravidian languages, the color RED & COPPER, the POTS, MOTHER GODDESS worship, the VANNI TREE, the JALLIKATTU, the WIND PATTERNS and much much more establishes this beyond doubt.
The recent discoveries from KEELADI and ADICHANALUR and the potsherds establishes the umbilical chord between Indus and Dravidian culture beyond any doubt. Am sure one of these days, a ROSETTA STONE would be found and that would be the day to hit the nail on its head completely.
Every Indian, especially every South Indian, especially every Tamil speaking individual should read this magnum opus.
April 10, 2024
This is one of those books which I wanted to read very badly but didn't get the continuous and focused time to do this (I would classify this book as an academic work and blend that with history, you'll understand). Finally, I could spend roughly four full days on this literary marvel and completed what I started roughly two years back.
This book necessarily focuses on two unsolved mysteries. The growth and decline of the Indus Valley civilization (IVC) and the pre-history of the Dravidian culture. The author puts forward the theory that IVC and the Dravidian culture are the same and substantiates with different archeological findings and various other theories. The methods used for the analysis and evidence tracked to assert the claim are unique and trustworthy. Being from the southern part of India, this book will provide answers to many of the cultural ideas and practices which you see as well as follow. It will eventually make one feel proud about the culture and the societal framework constructed around in this part of the country.
I feel some of the findings from the archaic literary work discussed in this book will be appreciated better if one has some prior background but nonetheless not much is lost because of this as the author takes special care in explaining the intricate details and makes it palatable for readers from various background. A must-have and a must-read book if you are a history buff.
This book necessarily focuses on two unsolved mysteries. The growth and decline of the Indus Valley civilization (IVC) and the pre-history of the Dravidian culture. The author puts forward the theory that IVC and the Dravidian culture are the same and substantiates with different archeological findings and various other theories. The methods used for the analysis and evidence tracked to assert the claim are unique and trustworthy. Being from the southern part of India, this book will provide answers to many of the cultural ideas and practices which you see as well as follow. It will eventually make one feel proud about the culture and the societal framework constructed around in this part of the country.
I feel some of the findings from the archaic literary work discussed in this book will be appreciated better if one has some prior background but nonetheless not much is lost because of this as the author takes special care in explaining the intricate details and makes it palatable for readers from various background. A must-have and a must-read book if you are a history buff.
February 11, 2025
தமிழ் எடிஷன் காட்டவில்லை என்பதால் இதிலேயே எனது மதிப்புரை எழுதுகிறேன். இது ஒரு முக்கியமான புத்தகம், சிந்துவெளி பண்பாட்டையும், நமது வைகை/தன்பொருநை பண்பாட்டிற்கும் உள்ள உறவுகளை விவாதிற்பதற்கு . கிழடியில் மட்டும் இப்போது (2018-19) தான் சிந்துவெளி எழுத்துருக்களை ஒத்த பொருட்கள் கிடைக்கவில்லை, இதற்க்கு முன்பும் 1959ல் சானுர் என்ற இடத்தில் இது போன்ற எழுத்துருக்கள் கிடைத்ததாகவும் , அதை பற்றி ஐராவதம் மகாதேவன் 2009 ஒரு கட்டுரை எழுதியதாகவும் ஆர் . பாலகிருஷ்ணன் கூறுகிறார் .
September 29, 2021
Fascinating research into possible linkages between the Indus Valley Civilization and Sangam literature. Interesting theories that the author hopes will be backed up by archeological evidence in the near future. A deep dive into the eternal question of who we are and where we came from!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews