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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup H3a

Northern–Central Indian H3 branch

Macro-haplogroup
H
Parent clade
H3
Formed (estimate)
c. 10,000–13,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 4,000–6,000 years ago

Overview

H3a represents the northern and central Indian component of the H3 radiation. Its distribution patterns and molecular diversity indicate a long-standing presence in the Gangetic plains, central Indian highlands and overlapping regions of Nepal and northern Bangladesh. This branch emerged during the early Holocene and likely participated in local demographic expansions tied to early settled communities and later agricultural intensification. Compared to H1a and H1b, H3a shows a more modest spread, suggesting communities with limited long-distance migration but strong local continuity. The lineage is particularly informative for mapping internal South Asian demographic structures outside the dominant H1 radiations.

Geographic distribution

H3a is primarily concentrated in northern and central India, especially Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Odisha. Additional occurrences appear in Nepal, the Himalayan foothills and northern Bangladesh. Its distribution reflects long-term demographic stability in these regions. Only minor diffusion of H3a is observed outside South Asia, reinforcing its status as a regionally persistent lineage.

Ancient DNA

  • Neolithic and Chalcolithic samples from northern India sometimes show upstream H3-like signatures.
  • Ancient individuals from the central Indian highlands reveal M52-associated profiles, some of which may belong to early H3 expansions.
  • H3a does not appear in West Eurasian ancient DNA datasets.

Phylogeny & subclades

H3a forms one of the two major schematic clusters within H3. It includes several subbranches with regionally localized variation. While less subdivided than H1, the internal topology of H3a reflects ancient local founder events and sustained demographic continuity.

  • H3a* basal
  • Northern Indian microclades
  • Central Indian regional clusters

Notes & context

H3a helps complete the representation of South Asian paternal diversity beyond the large H1 clusters. Its well defined regional orientation provides meaningful demographic resolution.