The Hindoos as They Are: A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in BengalSivachandra Vasu
Religion
The Hindoos as They Are: A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in Bengal
Sivachandra Vasu
Hindus; India -- Social life and customs; Women -- India
character, but the great element of success in English charity is
combination and organisation, without which no work of public utility
can be practically carried out.
It is obvious that the peculiar social economy of the Natives presents
an almost insuperable barrier to the harmonious amalgamation of the
different classes artificially split into numerous subdivisions. In the
neighbourhood of Poona, Mr. Elphinstone says, there are about 150
different castes, and in Bengal they are very numerous. They maintain
their divisions, however obscurely derived, with great strictness.[97]
The religious, social and moral duties of these classes, exhibit marked
differences, which are opposed to the combination of united efforts in
the cause of relieving suffering humanity. The idea of a national
brotherhood and a system of universal philanthropy, such as Christianity
has nobly inaugurated, is much too elevated for the narrow, contracted
minds of the people. Independent of the numerous subdivisions of caste,
unhappily there still exists an impassable gulf between the Hindoos and
Mussulmans--at present the children of the same soil--which has hitherto
kept up a state of unhallowed separatism, essentially at variance with a
cordial coalition for the consummation of any comprehensive system of
Public Charity designed to benefit both. Age has rooted in the minds of
the two communities an implacable mutual hate, quite subversive of the
best interests of humanity. Plausible arguments may be adduced in
support of the existence of this race antagonism, but let both of them
be assured that "by abusing this world they shall not earn a better."
Let every act or feeling or motive of both races be merged in one
harmonious whole, developing the perfection of human nature in a
distinct and bright reality.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account