It's bizarre that the Indian subcontinent is now known for poverty, high inequality and the caste system, when its ancient civilizational counterpart seemed to be the opposite.

Genetically and linguistically, it's indisputable that the Indo-Aryan languages were transplants brought in by an external group. This was followed by Islamic invasions and then British imperialism, followed by partition, and the recent ascendency of Hindu nationalism.

Online, at least, the levels of hatred and resentment seem off-the-charts. China, on the other hand seems to be growing by leaps-and-bounds, while India seems to be getting consumed by internal hatreds, and Pakistan seems to focus on the security threat posed by India, enriching a political and military elite at the expense of its own development.

I have to wonder if we'll ever find out the exact point where it all went wrong.

I have a pet theory about Indus Valley script - inscriptions on the seals are so short and unique because they are just name signatures, to stamp on other objects.

Have to be durable, that's why they are the only inscribed objects that survived.