Namaskar or Namaste is a traditional Hindu greeting. It simply means “I bow to you” and is a form of giving respect to another person. Today, in fact, it is a very casual greeting, a salutation, in the manner of a ‘hello’ than an obeisance.
However, a few centuries ago, the usage of Namaskar led to a serious dispute. This interesting incident relates to the period of Bombay Presidency of East India Company. It appears that the local brahmans took a serious umbrage to non-brahmans using this greeting. Following is a note recorded on 28th July 1779 at the meeting of the Bombay Council –
Peshwas have written to the President requesting the Goldsmiths may be forbidden the use of the namaskar
For some time frequent disputes have arisen between the Brahmans and Goldsmiths respecting the mode of salutation termed namaskar. This the Brahmans allege the Goldsmiths have no right to perform, and that the exercise of such a ceremony by the Goldsmiths is a breach and profanation of the rites of the Gentu religion. As repeated complaints have been made to the British Government by the Brahmans, and as the Peshwas also have several times written to the President requesting the Goldsmiths may be forbidden the use of the namaskar; Resolved that the Brahmans have reason in their complaint, and as the matter does not concern the Company, the Peshwa be moved to forbid to the Goldsmiths the use of the Brahman salutation namaskar. (p. 424, Bombay Town and Island)I wonder what action the Peshwa took on this? And if he did issue a firman, could it be enforced in Bombay?
Thanks for this interesting post reflecting on the contemporary socio-cultural scenario of the province. In order to have a better insight, it will be worthwhile to look into the prevailing socio-political situation. This period coincides with the first Anglo Maratha war fought between 1775 to 1782. There was an internecine feud going on for the Peshwaship. Raghoba (Raghunathrao) had claimed it after the assassination of Narayanrao in 1773, and he had sought EIC’s help. There also was a disagreement between Bombay Presidency and Governor General Warren Hastings about interfering in the Maratha affairs, and Calcutta had intervened by entering into… Read more »
Were you a student of history ? Information given by you is mind-boggling !
Thanks for the wonderful inputs Sanjay. While it appears incredulous in today’s context, even in the historical context, someone having a copyright, so to say, on ‘Namaskar’ came out as a big surprise. And of course, another surprising part is EIC asking the Peshwa to issue an order for prohibition in Bombay which was ruled by EIC?
Read the post and the ‘larger'( as indicted by Sanjay) input from Sanjay. It was a virgin piece of information for me. But the caste system in the country has been a deeply embedded element of our culture. To me. profession based structure was rational and more or less widely accepted though not universally( in the context of India) Though the country has been geographically fragmented and been under different rulers a common thread, surprisingly , ran through it. The Brahminical hierarchy prevailed and the ruler the British or indigenous rulers leveraged the caste dynamics or equation to promote their… Read more »
Namaskar topic is an wonderful information. History is usually written under the patronage of kings, successful leader or influential people. Some of the wonderful facts like this never comes to light for general people.
It remind me of invention of microscope. Before the invention of of microscope no body ever imagined of microscopic living organism which cannot be seen with naked eye. Namaskar is one such word or our habit of using salutation frequently which carries an untold story behind.
Really enjoyed
Thanks
I don’t understand why the Bramhins objected only to the Goldsmiths using the “Namaskar”
The Sonars were styling themselves Daivadnya Brahmins and were wearing their “dhotis” with folds in them, and using the word namaskar for salutation. Both the folded way of wearing the “dhoti” and the namaskar were special to the Brahmins. The Brahmins did not like this imitation and this attempt by Sonars to pass off as Brahmins. Under the authority of the Peshwas, the Brahmins successfully put down this attempt on the part of the Sonars to adopt the ways of the Brahmins. They even got the President of the Councils of the East India Company’s settlement in Bombay to issue… Read more »
Documents mention a Gramanya[j] that lasted from 1822–1825,between the Daivadnyas and the Brahmins of Pune or the Puna Joshis.This dispute started because the Puna Joshis were against Daivadnyas employing their own priests and not employing the Vyavahare Joshis for their religious functions.[40]These Daivadnya families had migrated from Ratnagiri,to Pune during the reign of Baji Rao I,who always upheld their claims against the Vyavahare Brahmans or the Puna Joshis.[41]The opponent Brahmins were against the Daivadnyas administering Vedokta Karmas or Vedic rituals, studying and teaching Vedas, wearing dhoti, folding hands in Namaskar. They urged the Peshwas, and later, the British to impose… Read more »
Maybe others followed the prescription