Caste in India: The Facts and the System c6.s6.7

c6.s6.7

The truth is that each caste—that is to say, each endogamous group—observes in this respect rules which, though not absolutely immutable, form part of the common heritage and are strictly observed so long as they are generally in force. They are sometimes very special, as in that very minute caste the Halalkhors at Poona, who, in spite of a life anything but luxurious, refuse the flesh of the hare, since its patron, Lāl Beg, is reputed to have been suckled by a hare.¹