B.S. Mahal presents a fascinating kaleidoscope of history of the nomads of the Central Asian steppe. He has garnered and drawn from a vast array of written works, some ancient and some brought to light more recently, to create a compelling narrative.
Painstakingly researched are the origins and ethnography of Scythians that until now had remained unexplored, indeterminate, and vague. From congeries of steppe nomads the author brings a distinct coherence to Scythian group identity. According to the author the ethnic streams that flow into this affiliation are familial tribes of Indo-Iranians called Massagetae, Tahshak, Alan, Dahae, Saka, and Getae.
Precisely delineated is the Scythian penetration of the Indus valley region, prompted by unique impulses at various times from different geographical areas. Although Scythian ingress was mostly migratory, the author cites a large-scale relocation by Darius of defeated hostile Massagetae (“stout”) Getae, pronounced je-te from Central Asia to northern India—a well established policy of the times of deporting enemy fighters to remote parts of the empire as a means of putting an end to their reconstituting into a viable fighting force.
Previously just surmised, Mahal’s account establishes an incontrovertible link between the Jats of the Indian Subcontinent and the Scythians of antiquity. By pointing to curious similitude to one another of rites and practices of Scythians and Jats and meticulously juxtaposing their traits and temperament he makes a powerful argument that these traditions and characteristics were acquired by India’s Jats from Scythian forebears.
When Scythians entered India they embraced Buddhism which was the prevailing faith of the time. Later, their descendants, the Jats, converted to Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism; but they remained Jats, and their link with the Steppe endured. Jats are widely dispersed throughout the Punjab region of Pakistan and India and a good number of them are to be found in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The author’s book is a blend of perceptive observations and painstaking research. The text is well-illustrated with figures and maps. What the reader will find immensely useful is an exhaustive bibliography of books, articles, and papers.

About the Author

Bhupinder Singh Mahal has an enduring interest in Sikh ethos in general, evolving situations and challenges facing Sikh Diaspora in particular, and a keen interest in Indian history and political sociology, which he has explored and explained in his books, articles, and essays published in Sikh journals, newspapers and magazines in Canada, United States, England, and India. He has lived/worked on five continents that have given him valuable international manifold experience. He has served on several boards and committees (Governor-in-Council or Order-in-Council appointments). From 2009 to 2013 Mr Mahal served as Chairperson, Employment Insurance Board of Referees, a quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for appeals under Employment Insurance Act. In 2003 he was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, created to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne, for contribution to Canada, to the community and to fellow Canadians. In 2007 he was awarded Council Award by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario in recognition of significant contributions ensuring the physiotherapists provide high quality, competent and ethical services that protect the public interest.