The Rashtrakutas and their Times c21.28

c21.28

Our epigraphical records and foreign travellers do not enable us to realise the intensity of the notion of untouchability of our period. Kalhaṇa's chronicle, however, throws a flood of light on the actual condition during our period, and since the Kashmiri historian is supported by the Smriti literature, we may well assume that similar notions prevailed in the contemporary Deccan as well. The feeling of untouchability was so deep-rooted that we find a Chandala sweeper refraining from touching a foundling on the road, lest it should be polluted, and requesting a Sudra lady to pick and rear it up.¹⁵ The untouchables could not enter the audience hall; the kings used to see them in the outer courtyard when necessary as did Chandravarman when he had to hear a shoemaker's complaint.¹⁶ Even conversation with the untouchables was regarded as polluting by some sections of the society; when Chandrāpīḍa began to talk with the shoemaker, the courtiers became agitated, which led the latter to enquire whether he was inferior even to a dog.¹⁷