India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s6.43

c12.s6.43

(6) *Aśani* and (7) *Kārshāpaṇa*. The juxtaposition of these two names seems to be significant, for we find two corresponding Pathan tribes, Shinwari and Karshabun, belonging to the same stock (*Imp. Gaz.*, *N.W.F.P.*, p. 79). The preservation of a caste system, and the sanctity of the cow among the Shins, settled in the eastern Hindu-Kush region, north of Landi Kotal, point to their former religion being Hinduism. The mountain villages where Shins are in majority retain a trace of former idolatry in the sacred stones set up in one form or another, in almost every hamlet (*Afghanistan Gazetteer*, p. 49). The change in religion has not yet brought about the seclusion of Shin women, who mix freely with men on all occasions, a survival of the days of their freedom.