THE INDIAN POPULATION 157 



influence of both race and climate is very great, and 

 that the effect of each on production is very similar 

 in the case quoted. 



It is not proposed to attempt any analysis of the 

 ingredients of the Indian population with a view to 

 estimate their efficiency values, but it must be clear 

 to the most casual observer that there is a great differ- 

 ence between the characteristics of the various classes 

 which make up the population. Not only are the 

 members of the various castes quite distinct racially, 

 but the specialisation in occupation brought about 

 by caste observances has had a marked influence on 

 them. The aptitude of the Brahman for intellectual 

 work, of the Bania for mercantile business, and of the 

 Kunbi for agriculture are well known, while the dis- 

 inclination of the Bhil to any permanent occupation 

 involving hard work and discipline is generally recog- 

 nised. It would be difficult to find in any one country 

 a permanent population which presents more dis- 

 tinctions of race, or between any two countries popu- 

 lations whose mental outlook differs more than does 

 that of (let us say) the Brahman and the Bhil. Yet 

 in spite of the rigid racial cleavage, in spite of the 

 specialisation in occupation which results from caste 

 customs, it is quite possible to find keen and industri- 

 ous cultivators both amongst Brahmans and amongst 

 Bhils, and it is only by taking averages that we can 

 say that under identical conditions one race is more 

 efficient in agriculture than another, as can be said 

 with confidence of the old-fashioned, working Patidars 



