Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Vol. I, Part I: History of Gujarat c19.s5.35.2

c19.s5.35.2

916) describes the Brâhmans as Hindus devoted to religion and science. Among Brâhmans were poets who lived at kings' courts, astronomers, philosophers, diviners, and drawers of omens from the flight of crows.⁷ He adds: 'So sure are the people that after death they shall return to life upon the earth, that when a person grows old he begs some one of his family to throw him into the fire or to drown him.'⁸ Ibn Abu Zaid's time (A.D. 916) the Hindûs did not seclude their women. Even the wives of the kings used to mix freely with men and attend courts and places of public resort unveiled.⁹ According to Ibni Khurdâdbah (A.D. 912) India has forty-two religious sects 'part of whom believe in God and his Prophet (on whom be peace) and part who deny his mission.'¹⁰ Ibni Khurdâdbah (A.D. 912) describes the Hindûs as divided into seven classes. Of these the first are Thâkarias¹¹ or Thâkurs of high caste from whom kings are chosen and to whom men of the other classes render homage, the second are the Barâhimas¹² who abstain from wine and fermented liquors; the third are the Katariya or Kshatriyas who drink not more than three cups of wine; the fourth are the Sudaria or Shûdras husbandmen by profession; the fifth are the Baisura or Vaish artificers and domestics; the sixth Sandalias or Chandâls menials; and the seventh the 'Lahûd,' whose women adorn themselves and whose men are fond of amusements and games of skill.