The Brāmhaṇa Migrations

A more recent study by Mascarenhas [Mascarenhas et al, 2015 :Genetic and Cultural Reconstruction of the Migration of an Ancient Lineage, BioMed Research International] traces the origin of certain LPKSTR families (families from Loutulim, with surname Pai, of Kaundinyagotra, R1a1 Y-HG individuals carrying the STR profile: DYS456 < 16, DYS458 > 15, and GATAH4 > 12). According to Mascarenhas, the LPKSTR type is essentially absent from European R1a1 individuals, abundant in Afghanistan, and quite rare in L657 individuals from South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. According to this study, the LPK clan migrated to Goa from eastern Persia (Iran) and Afghanistan via a western migration route through the Bolan Pass. [Mascarenhas et al, 2015 : 2] Mascarenhas makes another interesting point in the study : genetic differences between LPK and Curtorim brāmhaṇa are consistent with migration from two different locations through two different routes, Curtorim brāmhaṇa through the Khyber pass. [Mascarenhas et al, 2015 :12]