Its mythology is often as revolting as the rigidity of its caste laws, which condemn millions of human beings to such social abasement that their very touch--the very shadow thrown by their body--is held to pollute the privileged mortals who are born into the higher castes.

Nevertheless, Hinduism has for more than thirty centuries responded to the social and religious aspirations of a considerable fraction of the human race.

It represents a great and ancient civilization, and that the Hindus should cling to it is not surprising.
Nor is it surprising that after the first attraction exerted by the impact of an alien civilization equipped with all the panoply of organized force and scientific achievements had worn off, a certain reaction should have ensued.

In the same way it was inevitable that, after the novelty of British rule, of the law and order and security for life and property which it had established, had gradually worn away, those who had never experienced the evils from which it had freed India should begin to chafe under the restraints which it imposed.

What is disheartening and alarming are the lengths to which this reaction has been carried.