A History of the Mahrattas v1.c5.s3.29

v1.c5.s3.29

‘It is interesting to note that in an early stage of the process of transition from *devak* to *kul*, the *devaks* are frequently found to be grouped into five-fold totems or *pānch-pālvi*. Since in these five-fold totems the trees, implements, &c., are clearly recognizable as those found in more primitive castes as regular totems, it would appear that the multiple *devak* is a stage in the decay of the more primitive system.’¹