The Experts below are selected from a list of 315 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

David Mosse - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • south indian christians purity impurity and the Caste System death ritual in a tamil roman catholic community
    Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 1996
    Co-Authors: David Mosse
    Abstract:

    Can the Indian Caste System, often viewed as a Hindu institution, take non-Hindu ritual form? If so, what are the implications for theories which regard notions of purity and impurity as the ideological basis of Caste? Rejecting views of Caste as rooted in Hindu religious ideas, or as an institution of power divorceable from religion, this article shows how Caste relations and rank in a Roman Catholic community in Tamil Nadu are constituted through ritual events. Catholic funeral ritual brings into play discriminations akin to those of purity/impurity. However, these do not define the Caste System for local Catholics. Rather, Tamil Catholics (like Hocart) view Caste as a royally ordained and historically instituted division of labour in which groups have rights, rank and honour, articulated especially through the church, the festivals of the saints and the associated 'honours' Systems. It is here that the Caste System most fully takes a Catholic ritual form. The article concludes by examining the significance of notions of purity and impurity as religious ideas among Catholics, and the relationship of these hierarchical concepts to the distinctive beliefs of Catholicism as a world religion.

  • SOUTH INDIAN CHRISTIANS, PURITY/IMPURITY, AND THE Caste System: DEATH RITUAL IN A TAMIL ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
    Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 1996
    Co-Authors: David Mosse
    Abstract:

    Can the Indian Caste System, often viewed as a Hindu institution, take non-Hindu ritual form? If so, what are the implications for theories which regard notions of purity and impurity as the ideological basis of Caste? Rejecting views of Caste as rooted in Hindu religious ideas, or as an institution of power divorceable from religion, this article shows how Caste relations and rank in a Roman Catholic community in Tamil Nadu are constituted through ritual events. Catholic funeral ritual brings into play discriminations akin to those of purity/impurity. However, these do not define the Caste System for local Catholics. Rather, Tamil Catholics (like Hocart) view Caste as a royally ordained and historically instituted division of labour in which groups have rights, rank and honour, articulated especially through the church, the festivals of the saints and the associated 'honours' Systems. It is here that the Caste System most fully takes a Catholic ritual form. The article concludes by examining the significance of notions of purity and impurity as religious ideas among Catholics, and the relationship of these hierarchical concepts to the distinctive beliefs of Catholicism as a world religion.

Muthuswamy Narayanan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • population differentiation of southern indian male lineages correlates with agricultural expansions predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, David F Soriahernanz, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed <20% of the male lineages. We found strong evidence for genetic structure, associated primarily with the current mode of subsistence. Coalescence analysis suggested that the social stratification was established 4–6 Kya and there was little admixture during the last 3 Kya, implying a minimal genetic impact of the Varna (Caste) System from the historically-documented Brahmin migrations into the area. In contrast, the overall Y-chromosomal patterns, the time depth of population diversifications and the period of differentiation were best explained by the emergence of agricultural technology in South Asia. These results highlight the utility of detailed local genetic studies within India, without prior assumptions about the importance of Varna rank status for population grouping, to obtain new insights into the relative influences of past demographic events for the population structure of the whole of modern India.

  • Population Differentiation of Southern Indian Male Lineages Correlates With Agricultural Expansions Predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan, David F. Soria-hernanz, Mariakuttikan Jayalakshmi
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed

Valampuri John Kavitha - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • population differentiation of southern indian male lineages correlates with agricultural expansions predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, David F Soriahernanz, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed <20% of the male lineages. We found strong evidence for genetic structure, associated primarily with the current mode of subsistence. Coalescence analysis suggested that the social stratification was established 4–6 Kya and there was little admixture during the last 3 Kya, implying a minimal genetic impact of the Varna (Caste) System from the historically-documented Brahmin migrations into the area. In contrast, the overall Y-chromosomal patterns, the time depth of population diversifications and the period of differentiation were best explained by the emergence of agricultural technology in South Asia. These results highlight the utility of detailed local genetic studies within India, without prior assumptions about the importance of Varna rank status for population grouping, to obtain new insights into the relative influences of past demographic events for the population structure of the whole of modern India.

  • Population Differentiation of Southern Indian Male Lineages Correlates With Agricultural Expansions Predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan, David F. Soria-hernanz, Mariakuttikan Jayalakshmi
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed

Ganeshprasad Arunkumar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • population differentiation of southern indian male lineages correlates with agricultural expansions predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, David F Soriahernanz, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed <20% of the male lineages. We found strong evidence for genetic structure, associated primarily with the current mode of subsistence. Coalescence analysis suggested that the social stratification was established 4–6 Kya and there was little admixture during the last 3 Kya, implying a minimal genetic impact of the Varna (Caste) System from the historically-documented Brahmin migrations into the area. In contrast, the overall Y-chromosomal patterns, the time depth of population diversifications and the period of differentiation were best explained by the emergence of agricultural technology in South Asia. These results highlight the utility of detailed local genetic studies within India, without prior assumptions about the importance of Varna rank status for population grouping, to obtain new insights into the relative influences of past demographic events for the population structure of the whole of modern India.

  • Population Differentiation of Southern Indian Male Lineages Correlates With Agricultural Expansions Predating the Caste System
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar, Valampuri John Kavitha, Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun, Adhikarla Syama, Kumaran Samy Ashokan, Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan, Koothapuli Vijayakumar, Muthuswamy Narayanan, David F. Soria-hernanz, Mariakuttikan Jayalakshmi
    Abstract:

    Previous studies that pooled Indian populations from a wide variety of geographical locations, have obtained contradictory conclusions about the processes of the establishment of the Varna Caste System and its genetic impact on the origins and demographic histories of Indian populations. To further investigate these questions we took advantage that both Y chromosome and Caste designation are paternally inherited, and genotyped 1,680 Y chromosomes representing 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (Caste) endogamous populations from the predominantly Dravidian-speaking Tamil Nadu state in the southernmost part of India. Tribes and Castes were both characterized by an overwhelming proportion of putatively Indian autochthonous Y-chromosomal haplogroups (H-M69, F-M89, R1a1-M17, L1-M27, R2-M124, and C5-M356; 81% combined) with a shared genetic heritage dating back to the late Pleistocene (10–30 Kya), suggesting that more recent Holocene migrations from western Eurasia contributed

Swarkar Sharma - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Indian origin of paternal haplogroup R1a1* substantiates the autochthonous origin of Brahmins and the Caste System.
    Journal of Human Genetics, 2009
    Co-Authors: Swarkar Sharma, Prithviraj Sharma, Mamata Jena, Shweta Singh, Katayoon Darvishi, Audesh Bhat, A J S Bhanwer, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Rameshwar N K Bamezai
    Abstract:

    Many major rival models of the origin of the Hindu Caste System co-exist despite extensive studies, each with associated genetic evidences. One of the major factors that has still kept the origin of the Indian Caste System obscure is the unresolved question of the origin of Y-haplogroup R1a1*, at times associated with a male-mediated major genetic influx from Central Asia or Eurasia, which has contributed to the higher Castes in India. Y-haplogroup R1a1* has a widespread distribution and high frequency across Eurasia, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, with scanty reports of its ancestral (R*, R1* and R1a*) and derived lineages (R1a1a, R1a1b and R1a1c). To resolve these issues, we screened 621 Y-chromosomes (of Brahmins occupying the upper-most Caste position and schedule Castes/tribals occupying the lower-most positions) with 55 Y-chromosomal binary markers and seven Y-microsatellite markers and compiled an extensive dataset of 2809 Y-chromosomes (681 Brahmins, and 2128 tribals and schedule Castes) for conclusions. A peculiar observation of the highest frequency (up to 72.22%) of Y-haplogroup R1a1* in Brahmins hinted at its presence as a founder lineage for this Caste group. Further, observation of R1a1* in different tribal population groups, existence of Y-haplogroup R1a* in ancestors and extended phylogenetic analyses of the pooled dataset of 530 Indians, 224 Pakistanis and 276 Central Asians and Eurasians bearing the R1a1* haplogroup supported the autochthonous origin of R1a1 lineage in India and a tribal link to Indian Brahmins. However, it is important to discover novel Y-chromosomal binary marker(s) for a higher resolution of R1a1* and confirm the present conclusions.

  • the indian origin of paternal haplogroup r1a1 substantiates the autochthonous origin of brahmins and the Caste System
    Journal of Human Genetics, 2009
    Co-Authors: Swarkar Sharma, Prithviraj Sharma, Mamata Jena, Shweta Singh, Katayoon Darvishi, Audesh Bhat, A J S Bhanwer, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Rameshwar N K Bamezai
    Abstract:

    The Indian origin of paternal haplogroup R1a1 * substantiates the autochthonous origin of Brahmins and the Caste System