If someone tells you that Swastika symbols have been found in thousands of years old excavations in a Muslim-majority country where the Hindu population is less than 1,000, then perhaps you will not be able to believe it. But such artefacts have been found in many archaeological sites of Azerbaijan, on which ancient symbols like Swastika have been engraved. The most famous discovery among these is a 3500-year-old ritual pot found in the Garaj Amirli archaeological mound in Shamkir district. This pitcher is today preserved in the National History Museum of Azerbaijan. Archaeologists believe that these symbols were related to the religious beliefs of that time, sun worship and the cycles of the universe. The question is, how did the Swastika, considered a symbol of auspiciousness in India, get found in Azerbaijan and what were the historical relations between these two regions? Let us understand.
Swastika found on 3500 year old pitcher
In 1989, during the excavation of the Garaj Amirli mound located in the Shamkir district of Azerbaijan, archaeologist Munavvar Huseynova found a unique clay pot from the Middle Bronze Age. This pot is believed to be from around the second millennium BC (2000 BC to 1001 BC) and is today kept in the National History Museum of Azerbaijan. This black colored ceremonial pitcher has Swastika and figures like Surya Chakra, Chakra, deer horns and spiral lines engraved on it. According to the information given by the museum, Swastika was considered a symbol of Sun, Chakra of eternity, deer antlers of power and spiral lines of immortality. It is believed that this pitcher was used in religious and ritualistic activities.
Similar symbols found on many Bronze Age objects
Garaj Amirli’s pot is not the only example. Bronze Age pots, pendants, bronze belts and other objects bearing swastika-like curved symbols have been found at several archaeological sites associated with the Gedabek, Nakhchivan and Khojaly-Gedabek cultures in Azerbaijan. Many circular pendants show the motif of a “moving swastika” with four folded arms. According to researchers, these symbols reflect cultural beliefs related to the sun, the universe, the cycle of time and security. These discoveries show that such symbols were used by different civilizations in large parts of Eurasia.
Indian traces are also found in Atishgah temple
The historical Atishgah temple located in the Surkhani area of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is considered an important proof of the cultural relations between India and Azerbaijan. There are about 20 inscriptions in Sanskrit and Gurmukhi language carved on the walls of this temple. Many inscriptions have traditional Hindu swastikas and sun symbols. These also include inscriptions dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. Historians believe that this temple was associated with Indian traders and pilgrims, which reveals ancient cultural contacts between the two regions.
Swastika like design is also seen in Islamic architecture
Swastika-like geometric patterns also appear in the Islamic architecture of Azerbaijan during the medieval period. Such designs have been made in the bricks and tiles of many historical buildings, including the Mominee Khatun Mausoleum and Yusuf Ibn Qusayr Mausoleum in Nakhchivan. They were not used as religious symbols, but as a form of geometric art and decorative style. It is believed that in Islamic art, instead of drawing pictures of living beings, importance was given to geometric shapes, Arabic calligraphy and floral designs. Therefore, symmetrical figures like Swastika became a part of architecture.
This tradition is also visible in carpets and jewelery
Azerbaijan’s traditional carpets are famous throughout the world. Swastika-like motifs are seen in many carpets of Kazak, Shirvan and Karabakh style. These are known by local names like “Daurd Buyunuj”, “Tamga” and “Charkh”. In local tradition they are associated with the sun, the cycle of life, prosperity, protection and the continuity of the universe. Similarly, such symbols have also been found on bronze belts and pendants, which were considered a symbol of power and security at that time.
After all, what is the connection with India?
According to historians and archaeologists, Swastika is one of the oldest auspicious symbols in the world. In India it has been considered a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, sun and life cycle for thousands of years. At the same time, Swastika motifs found in many archaeological sites including Garaj Amirli in Azerbaijan show that this symbol was also prevalent in different civilizations of prehistoric Eurasia. These discoveries are seen in the context of ancient cultural contacts, trade routes and shared symbolic traditions between India and the South Caucasus. However, the available archaeological evidence does not suggest that these symbols arrived directly from India, but rather indicates that similar symbols were in widespread use in many civilizations of ancient Eurasia, either independently or through interaction.
Understand the relations between India and Azerbaijan in 5 points
- Cultural Affiliation: The relationship between the two countries is centuries old, the biggest historical proof of which is the ‘Atishgah Temple’ of Baku, where Sanskrit inscriptions carved by Hindu-Sikh traders are still present.
- Economic-Energy Cooperation: Relations are practical on the economic front. India buys large quantities of crude oil from Azerbaijan for its energy security and both the countries are working together on the ‘International North-South Transport Corridor’ (INSTC).
- Geopolitical Rift: Political relations have soured significantly in recent years as Azerbaijan has been adopting an anti-India stance along with Türkiye and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.
- Indian arms to Armenia: To counter this trilateral (Turkey-Pak-Azerbaijan) axis, India has given a large consignment of deadly weapons like ‘Pinaka Rocket’ and Swati Radar to Azerbaijan’s arch rival country ‘Armenia’.
- Current Status: In short, there is a strange balance between the two countries, where on one hand crude oil and trade are going on smoothly, while on the other hand both the countries are standing in opposite camps on the security and diplomacy front.
Leave a Reply