Ancient DNA Traces Diverse Maternal Roots of Konkani Communities, Study Finds

  •   Mon, Oct 26 2026
  •   By Loreen Noronha

October 26, 2026

The ancestral history of Konkani-speaking communities along India's western coast holds clues to ancient migrations, climatic changes and centuries of cultural interactions. A new genetic study has now shed light on this complex past, revealing how different Konkani groups share deep-rooted South Asian ancestry while retaining distinct maternal genetic connections.

The study, led by researchers from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and Mangalore University, has been published in the scientific journal Heredity. It examined the maternal genetic ancestry of Konkani-speaking populations and found that Saraswat groups have slightly stronger genetic affinities with West Eurasian and Steppe-associated lineages than non-Saraswat groups.

The findings also suggest that ancient migrations into South Asia during the Bronze Age were not exclusively driven by men, as maternal genetic lineages indicate contributions from women as well.

The Konkan region stretches along India's southwestern coast between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, extending from Daman in the north to the Gangavalli river and Karwar in the south. Konkani is spoken across this coastal belt, with communities also found in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Kerala. According to the 2011 Census, India had nearly 22.5 lac Konkani speakers.

Despite the region's rich linguistic, cultural and religious diversity, the genetic history of its people has remained relatively understudied.

“Konkani-speaking communities have diverse social, cultural and historical backgrounds. For the study, researchers examined differences in maternal genetic ancestry between groups traditionally identified as Saraswat and non-Saraswat, based on their respective historical accounts and community identities.”

According to traditional accounts, Saraswat ancestors migrated from the banks of the ancient Saraswati River, which is often associated with the now-dry Ghaggar-Hakra river system in northwestern India. Researchers have suggested that environmental changes and weakening monsoons in ancient times may have contributed to population movements from the region.

To investigate these ancestral connections, the research team analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is inherited through the maternal line, from 295 Konkani individuals. The analysis included complete mitochondrial genomes from 85 individuals and hypervariable DNA sequences from another 210. The researchers compared the results with genetic data from more than 5,000 individuals across Eurasia.

The analysis revealed that the Konkani maternal gene pool reflects a combination of deep-rooted South Asian lineages and West Eurasian ancestry. Non-Saraswat groups showed genetic affinities with indigenous South Asian populations, while Saraswat groups displayed relatively stronger links with West Eurasian and Steppe-associated maternal lineages.

The researchers also traced important components of maternal genetic diversity to ancient lineages that may have originated in the Near East around the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 26,500 to 19,000 years ago. These lineages diversified through subsequent population movements during the post-glacial recovery period and the Holocene.

The study further identified differences in genetic diversity among Konkani communities. Gauda Saraswat Brahmins and Roman Catholics displayed higher haplotype diversity than occupational groups such as the Kharvi and Kudubi. The genetic patterns observed among the latter groups were consistent with historical founder events and increased genetic drift.

Researchers noted that endogamy, or marriage within the same community, may have influenced these patterns over generations, contributing to differences in the distribution of genetic variation among communities.

Dr Jaison Sequeira, the first author of the study, highlighted the multilayered ancestry of Konkani communities, shaped by geography, climate and culture over thousands of years.

Professor M S Mustak of Mangalore University explained that ancient population movements and changing environmental conditions played important roles in shaping the maternal genetic landscape of the region.

Dr K Thangaraj of CSIR-CCMB, who led the research, said the presence of West Eurasian and Steppe-associated maternal lineages among Saraswat groups highlighted the complexity of ancient migrations into South Asia, involving both maternal and paternal contributions.

Dr Vinay Kumar Nandicoori, director of CSIR-CCMB, described the research as an important contribution to understanding the ethnolinguistic history of India's western coast.

The study also involved Professor George van Driem, a linguist from the University of Bern, and Dr Lomous Kumar of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow.

By bringing together genetic evidence and the region's historical and cultural context, the research offers a deeper understanding of the ancestry of Konkani-speaking communities. It highlights how ancient migrations, climatic shifts and long-standing social practices have collectively shaped the diverse maternal genetic heritage of India's western coast.

 

 

 

 
By Loreen Noronha
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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Mon, Oct 26 2026

    Very interesting.


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Title: Ancient DNA Traces Diverse Maternal Roots of Konkani Communities, Study Finds



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