The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c22.47

v1.c22.47

¹ It is doubtful whether the finer distinction here made (*Mbh.*, XII, 188, 5), namely that the warrior(-caste) is red and the people-caste yellow, indicates a real racial distinction; especially since there is no other indication that these Āryans are racially sub-divided; whereas the distinction between white and black is an early mark of the difference parting the Āryan and un-Āryan and goes with the nasal distinction noticed in the Vedas between 'good-nose' and 'no-nose' people. The epic poets still speak of their Āryan heroes' 'fair-noses.' See also Chapter IV, p. 85.