216 THE OEIGINAL INHABITANTS OF BHARATAVARSA OR INDIA. 
that though descended from the same stock and speaking the 
same language, these tribes separated in prehistoric times and 
subsequently became still more alienated from each other. 
In spite of this fact, they continued to live intermingled 
in the same districts, though a gulf of hatred and of caste 
prejudice prevented them from coalescing. The cause of 
this separation of the two kindred tribes it is now impossible 
to ascertain, but the division has since been kept alive and, 
if anything, it may be still further widened in the future. 
A few exceptions to this mutual antipathy however occur, 
e.g., in the case of the Bhils and the Gonds. 
It may perhaps not be out of place to remind my readers 
that I am quite aware that some of my propositions and 
conclusions may be challenged, but I trust that the principle 
which has guided me in this research will stand the test of 
time. 
With these remarks I shall pass over to the third part, 
which will contain the final conclusions of this enquiry, 
supported as much as possible by such reliable evidence as 
1 shall be able to collect. 
