Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 65

OPPOSITION BETWEEN FACTIONS
25
It has proved a perpetual
disturber of the public peace.
source of riots, and the cause of endless animosity amongst
the natives.
Most castes belong either to the Left-hand or Right-hand
faction.
The former comprises the Vaisyas or trading
classes, the Panchalas or artisan classes, and some of the
low Sudra castes. It also contains the lowest caste, namely,
the Chucklers or leather- workers, who are looked upon as
its chief support.
To the Right-hand faction belong most of the higher
castes of Sudras.
The Pariahs are its chief support, as
a proof of which they glory in the title Valangai-Mougattar,
or friends of the Right-hand.
In the disputes and con-
flicts which so often take place between the two factions it
is always the Pariahs who make the most disturbance and
do the most damage.
The Brahmins, Rajahs, and several classes of Sudras are
content to remain neutral, and take no part in these
quarrels.
They are often chosen as arbiters in the differ-
ences which the two factions have to settle between them-
selves.
The opposition between the two factions arises from
certain exclusive privileges to which both lay claim.
But
as these alleged privileges are nowhere clearly defined and
recognized, they result in confusion and uncertainty, and
are with difficulty capable of settlement.
In these circum-
stances one cannot hope to conciliate both parties
all
that one can do is to endeavour to compromise matters as
far as possible.
When one faction trespasses on the so-called rights of
the other, tumults arise which spread gradually over large
tracts of territory, afford opportunity for excesses of all
kinds, and generally end in bloody conflicts.
The Hindu,
ordinarily so timid and gentle in all other circumstances of
life, seems to change his nature completely on occasions
like these.
There is no danger that he will not brave in
maintaining what he calls his rights, and rather than
sacrifice a tittle of them he will expose himself without fear
to the risk of losing his life.
I have several times witnessed instances of these popular
insurrections excited by the mutual pretensions of the two
;