The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Recent ancient DNA (aDNA) research conducted on skeletal remains from the Rakhigarhi site in Haryana has provided critical scientific evidence regarding the ancestry of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). These findings address long-standing debates concerning the indigenous nature of the Harappans and the "Aryan Invasion/Migration" theory.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The genetic analysis of the Rakhigarhi samples revealed that the Harappan people lacked the Steppe pastoralist ancestry (often associated with Indo-Europeans). Instead, their lineage was a mix of ancient Iranian-related hunter-gatherers and Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers. This supports the theory that the Harappans were an indigenous population who developed farming and urbanization locally, independent of mass migration from the West.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The research highlights genetic continuity rather than a break. The Harappan genome serves as the primary ancestral source for most modern South Asian populations. There is no evidence of a "complete break" or "replacement" of the population around 2000 BCE. The decline of urban centers led to the dispersal of the population into the hinterlands, not their extinction or total replacement.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The absence of the R1a1 genetic marker (associated with Steppe ancestry) in the Harappan samples suggests that the "Aryans" or Steppe pastoralists were not present in the region during the flourishing of the civilization. This effectively rules out the theory of a large-scale immigration or invasion of Aryans as the cause of the civilization's development or its immediate collapse during the mature phase.
Key Takeaway
The Rakhigarhi DNA study confirms the
indigenous origin of the Harappan civilization and establishes that significant Steppe (Aryan) migration occurred
after the decline of the Mature Harappan phase, disproving the theory of an Aryan invasion during the civilization's peak.