496 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S.. XIX, 
in the section on culture contact, such an ne “ses is not likely 
in the case of a people of adv anced civilization. The differ- 
ence in culture between Bauddha Newars and ieee invad- 
ers from the plains cannot be considered sufficiently large for 
such adevelopment. It is of course possible that after Brahma- 
nic rule had existed for some time the influence of the religious 
and social ideas, especially if not conflicting seriously with the 
earlier conditions, may have spread to a certain extent. Tra- 
dition ascribes the most authoritative code of Hindu castes and 
customs in Newar society to the activity of a Brahmanic Newar 
king of native origin. It therefore seems as if the Brahmanic 
incomers were finally assimilated into Newar society, accom- 
pani y intermarriage with some of the earlier people. 
Such a view agrees with the known facts of the religious views 
of the Hindu Newar kings, and is in harmony with the fact that 
for a good many of the groups considered as having originated 
from this Brahmaniec invasion of Nepal, certain rites are per- 
formed by the priests of the older people. I shall now consider 
some of thoes groups. 
I s been pointed out in the summary of the existing 
social pondiviona among the Newars that besides the blacksmiths 
and cowherds there are four castes which show a more intimate 
connection with the Brahmanic group than any members of the 
third grade of Bauddhamargis. These four all agree in one 
matter, namely that they are all functionaries for fulfilling 
religious needs of some kind or other. This suggests a reason 
why they show greater intimacy with Brahmanic ideas than 
and amicable contact as dea above, interchange of ideas 
took place, the people associated with the functions i ERE 
_ from these religious beliefs would come into intimate t 
sm 
and call into existence a special section of an people to fulfil a 
special need not previously existing. 
While all these processes might not-develop to an sare 
able extent in the case of the important and dominant group 
of priests of both cultures the effect will edemrns ~ peree pile 
in the case of the functionaries of humble positi 
Therefore on this view the Katha and Nou ‘vill have been 
religious and magical importance of the umbilical cord and the 
ceremonial shavings, and paring of the nails. The Bhat has 
similarly been influenced because of the special religious belief 
about death that finds expression in certain funeral rites- 
