where are gypsies from

Gypsies, more accurately known as the Romani or Roma people, originally come from the northwest region of India. Linguistic and genetic evidence shows that they migrated from India to Europe nearly a thousand years ago, starting between the 7th and 12th centuries. Their ancestors are linked to groups in northern India, such as the Doma caste, with migration driven by historical upheavals. Though once mistakenly thought to have Egyptian origins due to their name "Gypsies," the Romani people's true roots are in South Asia, particularly the Punjab and surrounding areas. They then spread across Europe, mixing over time with local populations while maintaining distinct cultural and linguistic identities.