Swaveda
Indian history, plainly written.
A short daily post on Indian history — archaeology, genetics, historical linguistics, and the texts. Plus side-by-side translations of public-domain primary works. Plain language; no chest-thumping in either direction.
Plain language
Aimed at any curious reader, not the seminar room. Sanskrit / Pali / Tamil terms get a gloss on first use.
Tradition ≠ evidence
“The Mahabharata describes…” and “the Mahabharata war happened in…” are different sentences, and we don’t silently merge them.
Readers can edit
Sign in to send a correction or addition. If it holds up, it changes the article and credits you. If it’s contested, it’s preserved as a reader note.
Latest articles
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Africans in Maratha Armies: Unpacking Historical Records
Exploring the presence of people of African descent in Maratha military forces, from everyday soldiers to figures like Tukaji Angre, and the evidence behind their roles.
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This article critically examines the 'Grand Reunion' hypothesis, which links Indus Valley and Southern Indian cultures to Vedic synthesis. It explores evidence and scholarly debate, questioning narratives of simple merger and displacement.
Vikram Joshi · Jun 21, 2026
Geneticsancient DNAAnglo-Indian Ancestry: A Genetic and Historical Exploration
Exploring the genetic tapestry and historical formation of the Anglo-Indian community, this article offers an evidence-based perspective on their unique heritage and identity.
Dr. Anil Patel · Jun 20, 2026
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Exploring macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts beyond religious disputes that may have precipitated the Umayyad Caliphate's demise and the rise of the Abbasids.
Devika Menon · Jun 20, 2026
primary textsSanskrit and Pali translationChanakya's Origins: Unraveling Scholarly Debates on a Mauryan Minister's Roots
Scholars debate the origins of Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya's advisor. Linguistic and textual clues fuel competing hypotheses about his ethnic and geographical background.
Meera Iyer · Jun 19, 2026
Recent translations
All texts →A note on tone
Swaveda is curious, careful, and dry. There’s no civilizational chest-thumping in either direction here — no “Vedic India invented everything,” no “everything came from outside.” If we get something wrong, tell us. We fix it visibly, with a dated note.