My Malice and Bias

Afghanistan (meaning "Land of the Afghans") has been a strategically important location throughout history. It was invaded by Indo-Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Scythians, White Huns, Mongols, Arabs, Turks, Mughals, Sikhs, British, Soviets, and most recently the Americans. What attracted these invaders to the arid and stony hills of this land which has not seen peace for over 2,500 years? Ignoring the Islamic history of this wretched land, I am specifically interested in the pre-Islamic history of Afghanistan that has been totally forgotten or deliberately ignored by the natives of this land. I wonder why? Lets unfold the "Burqah" of last 1,200 years and reveal the Indo-Aryan history of Afghanistan . Afgha n Identity Real Meaning of the Term "Afghan" You will be surprised that the term " Afghan " does not have Islamic, Arabic, Turkic, or Persian background. It comes from Afghan people's association with its Indian roots. It comes fro

Punjabi Ignorance We, the Punjabis historically have not been documenting our own history. The Muslim Punjabis have almost forgotten their genetic ancestry and now try to connect their gene pool to the Arab aristocracy of Sayeds and Qureshis. The Pakistan government ignorantly names its missiles after the Islamic invaders who dispossessed their ancestors from their land. The Hindu Punjabis have written off their own ancestors, warriors kings, and Gurus and relate more to the Middle-India heroes such as Rama, Krishna, and Shivaji, The Sikhs have done a better job in staying connected to their roots but their historical reach is limited just to the Sikh period. Punjab history has to be taken as a whole, and that includes, Adivasis, Indus valley, Aryan Khatris, Kushans, Rajputs, Gujjars, Jatts, Islamic invaders, Sikh period, British rule, and the post independence era. Trinity of Punjabi Pride What's the Problem? So what? The results of this ignorance is astounding. We never

South Indian vs. North Indian Ten years ago, I met a well known Indian historian on a plane. We spent hours discussing history of India. I mentioned that my ancestors came from the region of West Punjab where the Indus Valley Civilization blossomed 5,000 years ago. Same land where Vedas were composed, Yoga and Sanskrit grammar was defined, and how proud I am of the facts that my ancestors successfully challenged the Assyrians, Greeks, Persians, and the Afghan invaders. I also shared with him my maternal genetic lineage to the original Kshatriya warriors ( Khatri in Punjabi) going back all the way to the Gods of Hindu mythology. I expected some form of acknowledgement from the learned professor from a well known University from South India. He replied, " Actually, the South Indians are the real Indians. " I was shocked and asked, " How about us, the Punjabis ?" He replied with a smug smile on his face, " Mr. Singh, I do not want to upset you but the fa