A Priest Relates the Origin of the Symbol Adopted by the Nazis
In India., to which land we must. go for the earliest use of the svastika, there is probably no greater authority on this and cognate subjects than Fr. H. Heras, S.J. This learned Jesuit has been engaged in long and laborious study in such matters, and he has reprinted as a brochure his reasons and conclusions for assigning to India the title of " the Empire of the Swastika."
Fr. Beres shows, in the first place, that this symbol, which bears a Sanskrit name which means sv-asti-ka: " that which is well being," Is not on that account of purely Sanskrit or Aryan origin:
"Thousands of years before the Aryas 'needed India, the inhabitants of Mohenjo Daro, belonging to the Dravidian race, used sonic small square amulets with an inscribed svaetika. Besides, the svastika is also found in their inscriptions. No doubt remains at present about the origin of the svastika. It is a Dravidian symbol which was adopted by the Aryas, as so many other institutions, when they entered India."
The meaning or symbolism of the svastika figure is traced by Fr. Heras as relating to ancient Indian town planning. He shows that the forts built by the Dasyus, the people of the Mohenjo Daro nation, were really walled cities, perfectly laid out with wide streets and side lanes, and one of the kinds of town planning was on the plan of the svastika, for reasons of war strategy: " The city planned after this fashion has two very broad streets that cross each either at right angles in the centre
of the city. Yet these streets do not open directly on the exterior when reaching the city wall, but turn sharply to the right or to the left, the gate Corresponding to each street opening on the wall parallel to it on the side." Thus: