The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s9.199

v1.c19.s9.199

The Jātakas reveal here and there a vigorous etiquette observed by the Brāhman 'colour' in the matter of eating with, or of the food of, the despised Chaṇḍālas, as well as the social intolerance felt for the latter by the burgess class¹. The Jātaka commentary tells the story of a slave-girl, daughter of a slave and a Khattiya, whose father pretended to eat with her only that she might be passed off before the Kosalans, seeking a nobly born consort for their king, as a thorough-bred Sākiyan².