Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... from the East Indies which has the unique distinction of having been referred to by both parties in this controversy in support of their respective contentions. The Khatris have been trading on the credulity of the unsuspecting public by quoting just so much of the decision as is sufficient to mislead the unwary; and condescendingly add "that the Rajputs, too, come from the ancient Kshatriya family and are as good Kshatriyasas the Khatris themselves."3 The portion 2. Fallon's Hindustani Dictionary, pp. 557,964. 3. "The Khatiis, their origin, traditions, and social status," p. 10, of the decision dealing with the four castes is, even at the risk of being tedious, reproduced below in extenso: --"It is undoubted that there were originally four classes: First, the Brahmans; second, the Khattis; third, the Vaishyas; fourth, the Soodras; the first three were the regenerate or twice-born classes, the latter the servile class. It was contended on the part of the appellant, that the Khatri and Vaishya classes have ceased to exist, and were sunk into the Soodra class, and that there are now two classes only, namely, the Brahman and the Soodra. The appellant, in order to show that the proper genuine Khatri are extinct, cites as authorities in support of this position The Ayeen Akbery, or, the Institutes of the Emperor Akbar, Vol. If, p. 2,77, in which there is this passage: 'At present there are scarcely any true Kehterees to be found, excepting a few who do not follow the profession of arms.' 'Those among them who are soldiers are called Rajpoots.' Tods Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vol. I, p. 53, where it is said, ' Of the fifth dynasty of eight princes four were of pure blood, when Kistra, by a Soodra woman, succeeded.' Ward's Account of...
