Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s1.7.3

c48.s1.7.3

In addition to the main divisions of the Banyā, almost every body is subdivided into "full-scores" (vīsa) and "half-scores" (dasa), denoting the relative admixture of lower blood. In many castes the partition has to be carried still further, and the "quarter-score" (pañca) represents the minimum of pure descent. None of the subdivisions intermarry, though in the west there is occasional connubium found between the "vīsa", or highest sections of the respective castes. The Banyā engage in most mercantile pursuits, from high finance and extensive foreign trade down to the retail of the most common articles of everyday use, so long as these are not conventionally polluting. They are not as wedded to their native place as most of the Indian communities, and settle, sometimes permanently, in villages where they are strangers both in caste and language. Others, principally from the desert States, habitually leave home for the more favoured parts of the country, and return only after their fortune is made there. The upper classes of the Banyā are well educated and often keen sectarians in regard to religion. In some tracts they are entering the law and the State offices, though not in large numbers. The Khatrī of the Panjāb, on the other hand, in addition to the trade of all but the south-west of his province, has almost the monopoly of official and professional employment, and has passed even beyond the Panjāb into parts of the neighbouring province in similar callings.