Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/25
philosophy have been results of research, but I do not pro- pose to present that research in this volume.
Reception of the first Volume.—Passing remarks regarding the reception of the first volume by the public may be made here. The volume did not have a very good sale. Still, as far as reviews are concerned, most of the reviews have been very flattering to the author.
Two men of world-wide reputation for Sanskrit and Pali scholarship have done honour to the author by reviewing his book. This book again attracted considerable attention among the sociologists in America and Continental Europe, and some well-known sociologists wrote reviews. Even the late Sir H. Risley generously wrote to me complimenting on the book and admitting the justice of my criticism of his speculations and to say that his speculations were intended only to stimulate discussion and research on the subject. Somehow or other the book attracted considerable attention in America, much less in England and almost no attention in India. As far as I could locate the sales in India less than twenty copies have been sold in India within two years, apart from the order for fifty copies given by the education department of the state of Baroda. This statement may be humiliating to the author, but I make it in order to illustrate how my countrymen appreciate a scientific work on caste, even though they have a great deal of enthusiasm to talk against the caste system.
Acknowledgements.—I take opportunity here to thank His Highness Shri Sayajirao Gaikwar, the Maharaja of Baroda, whose generous aid for three years permitted me to pursue my studies in America, and to continue my labours in the History of Caste.