We propose that the Biblical and Hindu religious traditions share common origins in the Indus Valley civilization, with one key narrative being the story of a Great Flood. In this discussion, we will first demonstrate the striking similarities between the Flood narratives in both religions, suggesting that they may be different versions of the same story. We will then explore whether these narratives are more consistent with the geography and history of Mesopotamia or the Indus Valley. Ultimately, we argue that the descriptions of the Flood align more closely with the Indus Valley than with Mesopotamia.
The Timing of the Flood
If the flood described in both religions is indeed the same event, the timing must be similar. While there is no consensus among scholars regarding the exact timing of the Flood, Professor Gerard F. Hasel of Andrews University suggests a date between 3402 and 2462 BCE for Noah’s Flood. Astrologer S. B. Roy, on the other hand, estimates the time of Vaivaswat Manu to be between 3212 and 2798 BCE. This places the shared timing of the Flood in both traditions around 3200 to 2800 BCE, indicating a possible historical connection.
Genealogical Parallels
The genealogies in both traditions also show remarkable similarities. In the Biblical tradition, Adam had three sons: Seth, Abel, and Cain. Similarly, in the Hindu tradition, Swayambhu Manu had three sons: Vivaswan, Vritra, and Indra. Seth’s lineage includes Noah, who fathered Shem, who in turn had a son named Arphaxad, who had 15 siblings. On the Hindu side, Vivaswan’s lineage includes Vaivaswat Manu, who fathered Ikshwaku, who also had 15 siblings. These parallel genealogies further suggest a connection between the two figures.
The Similarity of Names
The names of the two figures, Noah and Manu, also share intriguing similarities. In Hebrew, Noah is sometimes written as “Noach,” which could be further written as “Manowach.” Interestingly, there is a person named Manowach in the Bible, though he is not genealogically connected to Noah. “Manowach” shares the consonants “M” and “n” with “Manu,” suggesting that the name Noah could be a version of the name Manu and Manowach.
The Bible says that Terah left Ur Chaldea to go to the land of Canaan. The name “Ur Chaldea,” could be derived from Arphaxad as noted by the Jewish Encyclopaedia. The common letters are “a/u,” “r,” “h,” “a,” and “d” as shown in Lines (1) and (2) in the Figure. The Hindu narrative says that Rama was born in the Ikshwaku Dynasty, the progenitor of which was King Ikshwaku. The name Ikshwaku is closely associated with Arphaxad with the common being “A/i,” “x/ksh,” and “a.” Thus Ur Chaldea could be another name for the person Ikshvaku or the place Ikshumati.
The Narrative Parallels
The narratives of the Flood in both traditions bear strong resemblances. Both Noah and Vaivaswat Manu were forewarned of the impending deluge. Both built a boat, which was either guided or pulled by a divine figure—Noah by God, and Manu by the Matsya (Fish) incarnation of Vishnu. Both boats came to rest on a mountain after the waters receded—Mount Ararat in the Bible and Mount Himalaya in the Hindu tradition. The Flood in both stories lasted for an extended period—150 days in the Bible, and though the exact duration is not specified in Hindu texts, it is described as a long-lasting event. Both figures are also depicted as the progenitors of subsequent generations. These similarities suggest that Noah and Vaivaswat Manu might indeed be the same person.
The Geographical Context: Mesopotamia or Indus Valley?
Having established the possible identity of Noah and Manu, the next question is whether this person lived in Mesopotamia or the Indus Valley.
Evidence of Floods
There were several major floods in Sumer between 3200 and 2800 BCE, with two occurring around 3100 and 2900 BCE, which aligns with the period of Noah. Similarly, the Luni River in the Indus Valley experienced a massive flood around 3000 BCE. Thus, major floods occurred in both regions around the same time.
The Duration of the Flood
The Flood in both traditions is described as lasting for a long time. In Mesopotamia, the rivers Tigris and Euphrates have continuous flow with no natural obstructions, making it less likely for floodwaters to remain stagnant for an extended period. In contrast, the Luni River region has a ridge-like structure along the Sukhadi River, creating a natural basin where floodwaters could have remained for a long time. This makes the Indus Valley a more likely location for the prolonged flood described in both traditions.
The Timing of the Rains
According to Jewish tradition, Noah’s Flood occurred in September or October. In Mesopotamia, the period from June to September sees low rainfall, while November to March experiences higher rainfall. This makes a flood in September or October unlikely in Mesopotamia. In contrast, in the Indus Valley, the period from June to October is marked by heavy rains, making a flood during this time more plausible.
Evidence of Human Habitation
Both the Sumer and the Luni River basins show evidence of human habitation and flooding around 3100 to 2900 BCE. The first major flood in the Luni basin occurred around 3000 BCE, indicating that people were living in this area during the time of the Flood.
The Presence of Towers
The Bible mentions that after the Flood, people went to a place called Shinar, where they built towers with baked bricks. A key characteristic of a tower is that its height is greater than the width of its base. The ziggurats of Sumer, often identified with the Biblical tower, have a much larger base than height, which does not fit this description. In contrast, tall temple towers made of baked bricks are found in Anupgarh in the western part of the Indus Valley, making it a more likely candidate for the Biblical Shinar.
The Legend of Gilgamesh
The Sumerian legend of Gilgamesh tells of a king who traveled to Dilmun, where Utnapishtim recounted the story of the Flood. Scholar Samuel Noah Kramer identifies Dilmun with the Indus Valley, suggesting that the Flood described in the legend took place in the Indus Valley, though it was recorded in Sumer.
The Similarity of Names
After the Flood, the Bible states that Noah’s boat came to rest on Mount Ararat. The mountains south of the Luni River are known as the Aravalli Mountains. Both “Ararat” and “Aravalli” share the meaning of “hostility,” suggesting that Aravalli may have been the original name, with “Ararat” being a later adaptation.
The City of Jalore
Our research suggests that the Flood occurred in the city of Jalore. The name “Jalore” is composed of two parts—”Jal,” meaning water, and “ore,” meaning city, similar to “Ur.” Thus, Jalore could be interpreted as a “city of water,” locating the Flood in this area.
Living Traditions
There are no known living traditions in Mesopotamia that speak of the Flood occurring there. In contrast, the Luni basin is home to the Meena community, whose name is derived from “meen,” meaning fish. These people believe they are descendants of Vaivaswat Manu, maintaining a living tradition that connects them to the Flood.
Conclusion: A Flood in the Indus Valley
The evidence suggests that the Flood described in both the Biblical and Hindu traditions took place in the Luni basin, rather than in Mesopotamia. We propose that Noah and Vaivaswat Manu were the same people who lived in the Luni Valley. Over time, some of these people migrated westward, taking the story of the Flood with them, where it eventually became part of the Biblical narrative. It is time to reconsider the location of the Flood, taking into account the comprehensive evidence that points to the Indus Valley as its true origin.
See Video:- https://youtu.be/6-Nt45c6g4U
Read the Full Post in Hindi: https://www.ekishwar.in/are-noah-and-manu-the-same-person/
About Gilgamesh- https://www.commonprophets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/About-Gilgamesh.pdf
About Luni Floods- https://www.commonprophets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/About-Luni-Floods.pdf
About Ziggurats- https://www.commonprophets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/About-Ziggurats.pdf