The Indo-Aryan superstrate refers to the cultural and linguistic influence of the Indo-Aryan people on the ancient Near Eastern kingdom of Mitanni.
Mitanni was a kingdom in the 14th to 12th centuries BCE, located in the region of northern Syria and southeastern Turkey.
The Indo-Aryan superstrate in Mitanni is evident in the following facts:
- The Mitanni royal family claimed Indo-Aryan descent, with the founder, Tushratta, being referred to as a "son of the great god Indra".
- The Mitanni kingdom had a number of Indo-Aryan names for its gods and goddesses, such as Indra, Varuna, and Agni.
- The Mitanni royal language was heavily influenced by Indo-Aryan languages, with many Mitanni texts written in an Indo-Aryan script.
- The Mitanni kingdom had trade and cultural exchange with the Indian subcontinent, with many Indo-Aryan goods and artifacts found in Mitanni excavations.
- The Mitanni kingdom was influenced by Indo-Aryan military tactics, with the use of chariots and other war equipment being characteristic of Indo-Aryan warfare.