Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/186

It is not likely that the British Government will undertake reforms like political divisions on linguistic lines of their own accord, but they should be compelled to undertake such reforms by proper agitation. Under the new arrangement it is inevitable that the dominant tribes in a province are likely to enforce their own ideas, customs and institutions, on the minorities and on the aliens. But this fact in itself should not be considered as a disqualification of the territorial system. Things of this nature do occur in every country. It is a necessary process of nation-making. The dominant community should try to compel uniformity. We should not forget that behind the nation-makings of European countries lies a woeful tale of religious persecutions, interdicts to certain modes of dress, to certain languages, to certain customs, and so forth.

The country may perhaps develop certain local peculiarities, but these local peculiarities are far better than tribal peculiarities, which keep barriers of greater permanence between peoples. The idea of Indian nationalism may also be trusted to create uniformity.

Another important factor which contributes towards nation-making is the creation of such an aristocracy as would be recognized all over the territory. It is this aristocracy which, even though it may create sharp classes, contributes materially towards the nation-making, that is, towards preventing the growth of a caste system.

One advantage which this aristocracy has is that every tribe in the country tries to get a chance to mix with the aristocracy. People from every tribe may feel themselves honoured if they have a chance of contracting inter-marriage with the aristocracy. Unless there is such an aristocracy