A re-examination of the origins of Romani

Romani Studies as an academic discipline emerged in the 18th century with scholars such as Rüdiger (1782) and Grellmann (1783). At that time, two main hypotheses regarding the origin of the Roma formed that, in some variation, still have their adherents today. Rüdiger argued that the Roma’s ancestors left India because of invading armies, whereas Grellmann argued that they were social outcasts. This thesis argues in support of a military origin of the Roma and a koïné origin of the Romani language by bringing together linguistic, sociohistorical, and genetic evidence.