Gypsies trace their roots back to northern India. Contrary to old myths (like coming from Egypt), both linguistic and genetic evidence confirms their ancestors migrated from northwest India (regions like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana) around 1,000–1,500 years ago.
The Gypsy language is Indo-Aryan, closely related to Hindi, Punjabi, and Sanskrit, sharing core vocabulary and grammar.
DNA studies show 20–35% South Asian ancestry, with strong links to groups in northwest India.
They likely left India due to invasions (e.g., by Mahmud of Ghazni), traveling through Persia, Armenia, and the Byzantium before spreading across Europe via the Balkans.
