Storia do Mogor 260.1

260.1

Owing to the Sudra caste being divided into several branches, I cannot state the customs practised by each one in particular at their weddings. That would be to sin [131] against the brevity that I promised at the opening of this account. Still less need I do so because the more important castes among the Sudras, in spite of their differing in many things, are very much alike in regard to the ceremonies and practices at their marriages. Thus to distinguish between what are the more essential differences among them, I shall confine myself to a few remarks on the customs of the caste of Thieves. It is looked on by the Sudras as the lowest of their order. But the ground-work of their manners corresponds very well with their caste name; for living almost entirely in the open country and paying no heed to magistrates, they come forth nightly and rob at will, even in the towns and at the courts of kings and princes. As for the helpless traveller, he is not only robbed but murdered, or else he receives so many blows on his legs that he is almost always left for dead.