The age of ancient events is often determined through archaeology. Excavations, artifacts, structures, and other remains found above and below the ground are among the primary sources used to establish historical timelines. But is archaeology alone enough?
This is where Nilesh Oak's work becomes interesting. A chemical engineer with an Executive MBA, he shifted his focus to researching ancient Indian chronology. His approach examines the Ramayana and Mahabharata using multiple disciplines, including archaeology, astronomy, paleontology, geography, geology, genetics and oceanography. By correlating astronomical observations, geographical locations, geological events, oceanic changes, and evidence of ancient animals, he attempts to estimate when the events described in these epics may have occurred.
For example, the Ramayana and Mahabharata contain hundreds of references to the positions of stars and planets during significant events. Some of these references were long considered impossible. However, with modern astronomical software, researchers have found that certain celestial configurations could indeed have occurred thousands of years ago.
One well-known example is the Arundhati–Vashistha observation. In Hindu tradition, Vashistha (identified with the star Mizar in the Big Dipper) appears slightly ahead of Arundhati (Alcor). The two stars symbolize the devoted couple Vashistha and Arundhati and are traditionally shown to newly married couples. However, the Mahabharata contains a passage that has been interpreted as describing Arundhati appearing ahead of Vashistha. For a long time, this was considered impossible. Modern astronomical simulations have suggested that such an apparent configuration could have occurred during a specific period in the distant past. Based on this and other astronomical evidence, Nilesh Oak argues that the events of the Mahabharata took place around 5561 BCE—approximately 7,500 years ago—rather than around 5,000 years ago, which is a more commonly cited traditional estimate.
Similarly, Oak's research proposes that the events of the Ramayana occurred roughly 12,000 years ago. One piece of supporting evidence he discusses is the reference in Valmiki's Ramayana to four-tusked elephants. While such animals may sound mythical today, paleontological studies have identified extinct elephant species with four tusks that lived in prehistoric times. From this perspective, references that might initially appear mythical could instead reflect observations of animals that actually existed during that era.
Another example is the submergence of Dwaraka. According to tradition, the city was flooded by the sea. Oak relates this to studies in oceanography and geology that indicate significant sea-level changes and coastal flooding occurred in various parts of the world after the last Ice Age. He suggests that these findings are consistent with descriptions preserved in the epic tradition.
Nilesh connects genetics to Mahabharatha. According to some genetic studies, there appears to have been a significant reduction in Y-chromosome diversity around 7,500 years ago, suggesting a period during which relatively few male lineages contributed to later generations. Some researchers have speculated that this genetic bottleneck may have coincided with widespread conflicts or other social changes. Some proponents have further suggested a possible connection with the Mahabharata war, proposing that the large-scale loss of male lives described in the epic could explain such a pattern.
According to Nilesh Oak, the Lanka described in the Ramayana is not present-day Sri Lanka. He proposes that modern Sri Lanka was likely part of Ravana's larger kingdom or empire, while the actual city of Lanka was located elsewhere and was later submerged beneath the ocean.
It is through Nilesh Oak's talks, I knew about the YouTube channel "21 Notes : Valmiki Ramayana".
Whether or not one agrees with all of his conclusions, his research presents an interdisciplinary approach that combines evidence from several scientific fields to examine the chronology of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. His central argument is that these epics are based on real historical events that occurred in the distant past, rather than being purely mythical narratives.
This is one his talks... There are many you can find in Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AenJPuZBsxU
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