Page:The history of caste in India.pdf/190

 Excepting in the complexion the Dravidians do not differ very much from the Caucasians of Europe. This view of mine is in agreement with that of Sir H. Keane, who, as appears to me, gives more importance to the present characteristics than to ancestry. The physical difference between the recognized descendants of Aryans and the descendants of Dravidians is not any greater than the physical difference between the Jews and the Gentiles of Europe.

I think that the seven divisions of the peoples of India made by Risley are justifiable. But the names cannot be justified. Of the present Indian population what part is descended from the Rig Vedic Aryan immigrants, an what part is descended from those who were already natives of the country at that time is a question not yet properly approached. Again, we are not yet positive that all the people in India at the time of Rig Vedic immigration spoke "Dravidian languages." The settlement of this question demands much more laborious research than has been done at present, and perhaps the question may never be settle!.

Relation of caste and race.—If we take the word "race" in its larger sense, I do not believe there is a very great relation between caste and race. It is true that in some parts the higher castes are of Aryan descent and the lower ones are of Dravidian descent but this is not universal. The conquering tribe will be of a higher caste, whether it is an "Aryan" or a "Dravidian" tribe: the conquered tribes also may be of Aryan race. still it would be of low caste, because it is a conquered tribe. The word "varna" need not confound us; it is a relic of conditions long gone by.