MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 721
In Malabar the Untouchables were not allowed to build houses above one storey in height [1] and not allowed to cremate their dead [2] .
In Malabar the Untouchables were not permitted to carry umbrellas, to wear shoes or golden ornaments, to milk cows or even to use the ordinary language of the country [3] .
In South India Untouchables were expressly forbidden to cover the upper part of their body above the waist and in the case of women of the Untouchables they were compelled to go with the upper part of their bodies quite bare [4] .
In the Bombay Presidency so high a caste as that of Sonars (gold- smiths) was forbidden to wear their Dhoties with folds [5 ] and prohibited to use Namaskar as the word of salutation [6] .
Under the Maratha rule any one other than a Brahmin uttering a Veda Mantra was liable to have his tongue cut off and as a matter of fact the tongues of several Sonars (goldsmiths) were actually cut off by the order of the Peshwa for their daring to utter the Vedas contrary to law.
Bhattacharya-p. 259.
Madras Census 1891. p. 299
Bhatacharya-Hindu Castes-p. 259.
Madras Census 1891 p. 224
This mode of wearing dhoties was referred for Brahmins only. The Shudras were to wear it without folds.
The following letter will be interesting to the reader as it throws a flood of light as to whether the Dharma prescribed by Manu was or was not the law of the land “ To
Damulsett Trimbucksett
Head of the Caste of Goldsmiths.
“The Hon‘ble the President in Council having thought proper to prohibit the Caste of Goldsmiths from making use of the from of salutation termed Namaskar, you arc hereby pre-emptorily enjoined to make known this order and resolution to the whole caste and to take care that the same be strictly observed.
By order Bombay Castle sig. W. Page
9th August 1779. Secretary to Government. Resolution of Government
Dated 28th July 1779
“Frequent disputes having arisen for some time between the Brahmins and Goldsmiths respecting a mode of salutation termed “Namaskar” made use of by the latter, and which the Brahmins allege they have no right to perform, and that the exercise of such ceremony by the Goldsmiths is a great breach and profanation of the rights of the Gentoo [Hindu] Religion, arid repeated complaints having been made to us by the Brahmins, and the Peishwa also having several times written to the President, requesting the use of the Namaskar might be prohibited to the Goldsmiths-Resolved as it is necessary. This matter should be decided by us in order that the dispute between the two castes may be put an end to and the Brahmins appear to have reason for their complaint, that the Goldsmiths be forbidden the use of the Namaskar, and this being a matter wherein the Company’s interest is not concerned, our Resolution may be put on the looting of a compliment to the Peishwa whom the President is desired to make acquainted with our determination.”