at eo a a i —— Ree ates a pS —_————— es ey — ee A ea Fe ied 
1923. ] An Essay on the History of Newar Culture. 473 
$4. Leaving traditions aside for the time being, if the 
actual conditions are examined, a very striking fact becomes 
apparent. It is that among Hindu Newars, the only definite 
secular pursuit followed by any caste, except the general ones 
of fighting, trade, cultivation, and religious worship, is that of 
cowherds. All other occupations are followed by pure and 
mixed Bauddhas. 
Jn the discussion on cowherds and use of cattle in general 
(Appendix D), it is shown that the emplovment of cattle was 
not known to Newars in ancient times, and that even at the 
present moment, although it might with advantage be adopted. 
the employment of buffaloes or oxen for any kind of work is 
comparatively rare. The labour of cultivation, transport, and 
oilpressing performed elsewhere in India by oxen. is here 
carried out through human agency. Further, it is shown from 
Chinese sources (Appendix E) that as early as the seventh cen- 
tury A.D. Newars were clever artisans and artists, although 
Ignorant of domestication of cattle—in the limited sense 
employed here. The rulers of Nepal in those days were Baud- 
has, but Brahmans and their religion were also present in the 
country. 
recently remained, without knowledge of, or with only crude 
idea of many of the arts carried to perfection in Nepal by 
Sewan <90 sien growth of an advanced civilization like 
that of Newars in and before the Seventh Century A.D. in 
Nepal would certainly have removed such a condition among 
any contiguous people. 
Another difficulty is the existence of different grades fol- 
lowing practically the same occupation. An evolutionist who 
Suggests gradation according to growing complexity of occupa- 
tions, will not be able to find any reasons why there should be 
a hereditary section of Jyapoo as well as Uda tilemakers or 
Carpenters. or an Uda as well as Banra section of metal- 
Workers. The fact that the religions may or actually have 
come from India where caste rules supreme, while it may lead 
to the growth of a superior priestly class, cannot explain such 
