Murder must sometimes be expiated by a pilgrimage to the Ganges, but other criminal offences against the person and property are not taken cognisance of by the caste committee unless the offender is sent to jail.

Both in its negative and positive aspects the category of offences affords interesting deductions on the basis of the explanation of the caste system already given.

The reason why there is scarcely any punishment for offences against ordinary morality is that the caste organisation has never developed any responsibility for the maintenance of social order and the protection of life and property.

It has never exercised the function of government, because in the historical Hindu period India was divided into large military states, while since then it has been subject to foreign domination.

The social organisation has thus maintained its pristine form, neither influenced by the government nor affording to it any co-operation or support.