Jainism and Karnataka Culture

SR No.: 011062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S R Sharma
Publisher: Karnataka Historical Research Society Dharwar
Publication Year: 1940
Total Pages: 263
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 204

160 JAINISM AND KARNĀTAKA CULTURE
Speaking of the Roman Catholics of South Kanara, Sturrock has remarked, “To this day the Roman Catholics have not entirely shaken themselves free of the trammels of caste and they are still divided into classes of which Bāmmans or Brāhmins, Cārodas or Kșatriyas, Sudirs or Sūdras, saltmakers and washermen are the most prominent. .... The cultivating and labouring classes are much like their Hindu neighbours.... All classes retain the Hindu dress.... Married women substitute for the Hindu 'tāli', a necklet from which is suspended a figure of the infant Jesus made of gold in the case of those who can afford it.... 'They have all Portugese names such as Saldanha, Brito, Mascarenhas, Vas, Coelho, Sequeira, derived from Portugese sponsors, when their ancestors were baptised after conversion, but in some cases, especially in the rural districts, they use their old native titles such as Prabhu, Naik, Shetti, Pai, Padval, etc.
“In the same way as some relics of caste feelings still remain among them, their whole habit of life is in many ways still affected by survivals of old customs and modes of thought, though western ideas have made much more progress amongst the Canara Christians than amongst the corresponding classes on the east coast. Many of them, especially amongst the women, cannot bear the idea of eating beef. Widow re-marriage is not prohibited, but it is looked upon with much disfavour. A bridegroom of good position expects a large dowry with his bride, and many a man has been impoverished by being blessed with a large family of daughters. A wife never calls her husband by his name, and except among the more educated classes she is no more regarded as her husband's equal than is the case among other natives."121
This lengthy quotation is justifieable becaus the remarks made therein are almost literally applicable to the Jainas. The present day Jainas wear Caste-marks just as other Hindus do ;122
111 Sturrock, op. cit., pp. 185–86. 122 Cf. Thurston, op. cit., p. 430; Belgaum, op. cit., p. 102.