Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/88

MAHRATTA PUNDITS. Englishman who has. had them under him, will willingly testify to their clear-headed methodical habits, and their unwearying assiduity in business of all kinds. In trade they are steady successful merchants; but their talents are not so conspicuous in this respect as in civil or diplomatic affairs. In the latter they are in their element, and are rare adepts in intrigue and contrivance, having few scruples, moral or religious, and no abstract love of truth when falsehood will serve their purposes.

Brahmins are, for the most part, true Aryans, and probably Mahratta Brahmins are as pure as any that exist at present in India. At what period they reached the Deccan has, we believe, never been determined; but as obvious traces of Brahminism extend far beyond the Christian era, they may possibly have accompanied Ram, King of Oude, in his invasion of the south, and acted as missionaries in the conversion of the aboriginal population to Hindooism, and contributed very materially to their civilization. They appear to have abounded as much in the kingdom of the south at, and before, the period of Alexander's invasion, as they did in the north. The Turanian people of Southern India recognise the Mahratta Brahmins as true Aryans, and their language is called "Arya mat," Aryan speech, to this day in the Canarese and Teloogoo tongues. Mahratta Brahmins are of two general sects, one followers of Vishnu, the others of Siva under the appellation of Smarth. Those who serve as priests, indeed all generally speaking, recognise the Poorans; but there are a great number who profess the pure theism of the Vedas, and who study and preach the Vedantic doctrines instead of the Pooranic, which are confined, for the most part, to priests who serve popular idols, and recite the legends of the gods and dernigods represented by them. In the group illustrated, all the persons have Sivaic marks on their foreheads, and are therefore votaries of Mahadeo or Siva, and may be descended from the disciples of the great Shunkar Acharya, who preached the doctrines of Siva throughout the southern peninsula about the twelfth century.

Mahratta Brahrnins esteem themselves of purer lineage and observance than the northern Brahmins, even of Bengal or Benares, and are most particular in their diet. They do not eat flesh or fish under any circumstances, or drink spirits, even at sacrifices; and they are very careful observers of all cereinonials. In caste discipline they are very strict, being under the religious supervision of their superior Swamees, or spiritual princes, who have certain jurisdictions, subdivided under agents or legates, who travel about, check flagrant immorality, and prepare youths for the sacrament of "moodra," or confirmation. If this spiritual supervision does not actually prevent immorality aLnong Brahmins, it certainly materially controls it.

The present group consists of Brahmins who are representatives of families