Caste in India: The Facts and the System c8.s3.19

c8.s3.19

In attributing primary importance, on the one hand, to the occupation and, on the other, to the organization of the tribe, he has at least faithfully summed up the impression we gather from the works of most observers of contemporary Indian life. All are struck by that confusion of more or less extensive ethnical groups, of which I have tried to give some idea, and whose complicated and mobile nature must not be lost to sight. All perceive them in infinite gradations approximating somewhat narrowly to the type of the caste, and to an increasing degree as common occupation was more completely substituted for the bond of origin. Naturally, these two aspects colour their theoretic conclusions.