The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c7.s4.5

c7.s4.5

With regard to their language, a large number of the words in different dialects are of Indian origin as their persons and customs show much of the Hindu character.⁸⁷ They are freedom loving and prefer tent life. Their marriages are simple, Indian type. There is no courtship before marriage. Taking *parikrama* (rounds) around the fire is wholly binding, just as in India. Originally they were vegetarians. Holi and other Hindu festivals are celebrated in Serbia and Spain. Most of them have converted to Christianity but maintain Shivas Trisula (trident) - symbol of Gods three powers of desire, action and wisdom. Gypsies are divided into caste groups who live in separate areas or *mohallas*. There are 149 sub-castes among the Bulgarian gypsies. Their professions comprise working in wood and iron, making domestic utensils, mats and baskets and practising astrology, telling fortunes and sometimes indulging in tricks. Their talent for music is remarkable.⁸⁸ Their dance and music is voluptuous, of the Indian *dom-domni* type. A classic example is the Gypsy womens snake dance, which is still performed in Rajasthan. Their language has many Indian words. They have *manush* for man, zott for Jat, *Yak, dui, trin* for *ek, do, tin*. They have lovari for *lohari* (smith), *Sinti* for Sindhi, *sui* for needle, *sachchi* for true and *duur ja* for go away. We may close with the old Gypsy saying: Our caravan is our family, and the world is our family which is a direct adaptation of the Sanskrit saying *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam*.⁸⁹