Conspiracy theory

[Madhav Deshpande]

	To add to Tim's interesting comments, one should realize that
Brian K.  Smith believes that the Varna system is a continuity of the IE
tripartite classification a la Dumezil.  Whether one agrees with this
thesis, and I personally have grave doubts about this, the Varna could not
be a conspiracy of the Brahmins, or of any one group for that matter, if
it is a continuity of the IE classification.  As for B.K. Smith's own
analysis, I think it is historically deficient at least in two ways.  It
argues for the continuity of the so-called tripartite classification,
while ignoring the historically most important fact that the word Varna,
before it is applied to Brahmanas, Kzatriyas, VaiSyas and Suudras, appears
to have been applied to a two-fold classification, i.e. Arya-varna and
Dasa-varna in the Rigveda.  Secondly, it ignores the entire discussion of
the possibility that a good deal of Jati categories may go back to
pre-Aryan past.  Having said that, I do like Smith's work to the extent
that it elaborates the application of the Varna categories by the
Brahmanical tradition to various groups beyond the human, and he brings
out the very important features of the horizontal and vertical groupings
marked through these devices.
	Madhav Deshpande

On Sat, 13 Apr 1996, Tim Cahill wrote:

> 
> To the List,
> 
>    In response to Julia Leslie's resquest for info on work related to the 
> 'conspiracy theory' of brahminical orthodoxy  I'd like to mention Brian K. 
> Smith's very detailed work "Classifying the Universe" (Oxford 1994). He 
> begins his conclusion: "The varna system examined in this book supplied 
> its propogators with a contrivance for classifying -- and thereby knowing 
> and controlling -- the universe in its entirety." (p.314) Personally I 
> don't buy it -- seems to me they would have cut themselves a better deal! 
> But Smith presents an interesting case (or, indictment), and only after a 
> very thorough study. His treatment covers classifications of the 
> Universe, Society, Gods, Space, Time, Flora, Fauna, and Revelation.
> 
>    Incidentally, the conclusion also includes a quote from M.N. Srinivas: 
> "Varna systematizes the chaos of jatis and enables the sub-castes of one 
> region to be comprehended by by people in another area by reference to a 
> common scale." (Rel. & Soc. among the Coorgs 1952, p.25) 
> 
> itlu,  Tim Cahill
> 
> 
> 
>