On October 24, Vitis Vidunas, a Lithuanian scholar from the European country of Lithuania, delivered a lecture at the Indian International Centre in Delhi. Vidunas is the head of the Department of Asian and Multicultural Studies at the 444-year-old Vilnius University. In his presentation, he shared his research on the cultural similarities between India and the Baltic nations.
Vidunas highlighted the striking similarities between ancient Sanskrit and the languages spoken in the Baltic region, including Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian. He explained that not only do these languages share common vocabulary, but their grammatical structures are also remarkably similar. Even the pronunciation of many words is nearly identical. While Sanskrit is gradually fading from India due to the influence of the Macaulay education system, it continues to be reflected in languages spoken 6,000 kilometers away, revealing a fascinating historical connection.
This is not the first time that traces of Indian culture have been discovered in European countries. Historical evidence suggests multiple links between Indian heritage and various parts of the world. For instance, archaeological excavations in Italy have uncovered oil paintings resembling scenes from the Ramayana, while written literature related to the Ramayana has been found in the Kalmykia region of Russia. These findings reinforce the idea that India’s cultural history extends far beyond its borders.
While many ancient civilizations, such as the Mississippians, Greeks, and Persians, have faded into history, remnants of Indian culture continue to be found across the world. This serves as undeniable proof of its antiquity and widespread influence. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—”The world is one family”—is not just a philosophical idea but a historical reality, supported by strong evidence of India’s deep-rooted cultural connections with the world.
