Caste and Race in India c13.16

c13.16

The present political upheaval has liberated tremendous psychical energy which, it appears to us, if properly utilized by the leaders, should lead to the achievement of the reforms advocated above. Perhaps a sceptic whispers, "Such revolutions are not brought about in the lethargic types of Indian climes." Him we only remind that this apparently lethargic land and its peoples have, in the past, proved themselves capable of truly great achievements. The phenomenon of the conquering Indo-Aryans, who were passionate eaters of flesh and drinkers of intoxicating beverages, settling down as the upper castes of Hindu society and abjuring their coveted food and drink for centuries, is a moral triumph of the people of India, for which there is hardly any parallel in human history. The same people, now called upon to throw off caste, would rise to the occasion and achieve a still greater triumph.