Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/258

Rh As peaceful merchants, they first obtained a footing in the country, and by their unity, energy and intelligence soon founded an empire vaster in extent than that governed by any Mogul or Magadha sovereign. Under the aegis of England, the Tamils now enjoy profound peace and present the unique spectacle of a race of people who have retained their language and civilisation almost unchanged for the last two thousand years or more.

Socially and politically however the Tamils of this day present a mournful contrast to their warlike ancestors. They are now a subject race. Their ancient royal families became extinct centuries ago. No longer the five Great Assemblies of priests, astrologers; ministers, military officers and physicians meet to advise and guide the ruling power. No more the minstrel tunes his lute at feasts and rejoicings, to sing of the matrial deeds of their forefathers. No ships of foreign nations call at their seaports for fine spun cloths, and other articles manufactured by Tamil workmen. Not only are the Tamils dead as a nation, but their industries and arts and even their old gods are dead For, Indra and Balarâma are no longer invoked by them; Rama and Krishna have taken the place of Vishnu; and in the temples of Siva, it is the linga or phallus, and not the image of Siva that is now worshipped. The Tamils still retain however many of their old characteristics. There are more temples and more rest houses still in their country than are to be found within the same area, in any other part of the world! temples reared with infinite patience and labour, and rest-houses built by private charity, where the poor and the rich may freely find shelter at all times and seasons. They are devoted to friends, respectful to women charitable to the poor, fervent in piety and tireless in industry. “Wherever money is to be made, wherever a more apathetic or a more aristocratic people is willing to be pushed aside, thither” says a European Missionary who long resided among them, “swarm the Tamils, the Greeks or Scotch of the east: the least superstitious and the most enterprising and persevering race of Hindus.” They are still the most literate people among the native races of India. An enlightened Government has covered the land with network of roads, railways and tele