The oldest inscriptions in Old Indic, the language of the Rig Veda, are found not in India but in northern Syria. The Mitanni migrated from Central Asia c. 1500 BC to dominate (Hurrian) N. Syria. They named their new capital Wassukani (Old Indic vasu-khani, "wealth mine"). (1/x)

The Mitanni kings took Old Indic throne names, including Tushratta (tvesa-ratha, "having an attacking chariot") & Shattuara (satvar, "warrior"). They were famous for their skill with chariots & wrote the oldest known horse-training manual in the world. (2/x)

It's possible that Mitanni charioteers had been hired by a local Hurrian king to fight for him, but ended up usurping his throne & founding a new Syrian dynasty. They remained a major power during the next two centuries, before being dismembered by the Hittites & Assyrians. (3/3)

This relief is Assyrian