Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/179

tion. It is not irrevocable. There is always a danger to a territorial society of becoming a tribe. As a tribe has a tribal pride which makes them refuse an alliance with tribes which are regarded as inferior ones, so territorial societies after becoming nations develop national pride which makes the people proud and insular. In any country if several unassimilative social elements come, then the territorial character of the society is greatly in danger. The assimilative power of a territorial society is subjected to a great deal of tension when the immigrants in their country differ in complexion and other physical characteristics, in dress, manners, religion, and in other features of civilization. It is not unlikely that India may have developed territorial societies in various localities. But it is possible that those territorial societies may have again lapsed into tribes. Again, if we review the condition of societies in the world we do not find clean-cut divisions of tribalism and territorialism, but one merges into another. It is not the case that some countries have entirely territorial societies and some countries have entirely tribal communities. Still, some European nations like England and France and the Oriental Empire of the Japanese may well be considered as fair examples of territorial societies as one can find. The colonies and countries inhabited by the European nations have carried the territorial idea with them, but their ideals are being severely tested by the various races they come in contact with. The people of the United States are struggling hard to keep their territorial character. And it is likely that some day they will be able to surmount the difficulties in their way. On the other hand India may be singled out as an example of the most extravagant development of tribal community.