EVIDENCES OF LARLY ARYAN INVASIONS OF ASAN loped the civilization of the Indus valley and to it we owe the largest content of the poent-day Indian religion and culture. Most of the common domestic animals, fiver transports, garments, the strueture of house, the use of brick, painted pottery and the buildings of towns are due to them. Astronomy and the Indian script are also their con- tributions.... If the contention of the late Ramprasad Chanda be right, then the developments of the Bhakti cult and religious emotionalism of Gujarat and Bengal must be attributed to them. "The Nordies brought horses, probably iron and the best variety of wheat. The use of milk, alcoholic drinks, dicing, chariot racing, and tailored garments were due to them. They introduced patriarchy in Indian social life, but their chief gift was undoubtedly tho Aryan vehke cle of thought. They gave the shape into which the contributions of other races were filled. Their chief contributions were in the domain of thought rather than in material culture. Eple poetry, the concept of cosmio order or Rta, lofty ethical ideas and philosophical thoughts civilisation, and it would be historically wrong and scientifically inace curate to deny that they have been directly or indirectly responsible for most of the glories of Indian literature, philosophy and art". (REPI. Ox. Pm. pp. 121-29). The Asamiya Bihu (Visuva) festivals, so peculiar to the Aryant of Asam, definitely connected the equatorial (Viguva) phenomena of equinoxes and solstices, must decidedly have been founded by the Early Aryans or Mediterraneans who first brought with them the study of the astronomical science first introduced into India. Only at a later stage it might be identified with Vipat (Ath. XL. 7, 15) and Vivah sacrifices ete. of the Vedic Aryans. Bihu festivals were actually four in number, Bahig Bihu and Kati Bihu corresponding with the veral and autumnal equinoxes, and Slon Bihu (now lost) and Migh Bihu corresponding with the summer and winter solstices respectively. It must be noted that the early Indian calculation of these speristis has a difference of about 20 days with the western calculation of these Important astronomical dates such that each of the Bihu days fall behind the equinoxes or solstices, as it may be, by about 20 days accordingly. These Bihus were very elaborate Asmiy national festivals a faint idea of which we can only find from the Bahag Bihu an still observed in villages and continuing for nearly a month. It is also called the Rangili (Joyoua) Bihu for it is performed in the height of the happy spring season when the people also enjoy leisurely days. The Magh Bihu is called the Bholli (enjoying) Bihu for it is held just after the harvest season when all people have enough to eat and enjoy. The Kati Bihu is called Kangili (destitute) Bihu, for It is held in the
