CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory.
Beliefs and attitude of Western people toward caste 1
Attitude of Western philosophers 2
Proper attitude for the Hindus toward the subject 2
They need not be pessimistic
Intention of study; academic and of a practical reformer... 3
The class of readers I am writing for 3
Western scholars should not look upon Indian caste as if they are not directly concerned in the matter, for caste is becoming a world problem
Attitude desirable in the United States 4
Difficulties in the way of a reformer: various complexities of the society and great magnitude of the work 5
And lack of force to break caste 6
Knowledge of the correct history of caste, the only available source of strength.
7 The project: to write history of caste; method of presentation, other than strict narration of facts in order of time. 7
Different monographs each covering some special topic would be written. The present monograph represents the conditions in the third century in the Gangetic valley 8
Justification of presenting a monograph on the third century at the very start 9
Inadequacy of the previous work on the laws of Manu makes another search into them necessary 9 10
Arrangement adopted in the book Motive in making references to caste in U. S
CHAPTER II.
The Caste System.
1. Definition of Caste.
Etymology and history of the word caste
Definitions of a caste by Senart, Nesfield and Risley
My own definition of a caste. A group with two characteristics: 1. Membership confined to those who are born of the members and includes all persons so born 2. Members forbidden by an inexorable social law to marry outside the group
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