Carrie Chapman Catt - Diaries, India, January - February? 1912 (Box 1, Folder 5)

The division of labor, common to all primitive people made these men warriors and hunters, and in those capacities they afforded protection to the women which enabled them to develop agriculture and the primitive arts to a high degree. Even yet, tiger baiting as a noble and heroic pasttime, and the elephants, rhinoceros, panther, taper, and orang-outang are to be found in their territory. They have the repute of being bold and fearless soldiers, and their folklore is full of accounts of wars and brave deeds. They have however...

...plenty of leisure and this is often employed such games and training as well prepares men for the war and the hunt. These are conducted by skilled teachers, and altho something similar exists in other islands of the Insulinde it is said that there is a distinct difference in methods employed. Their suppleness, agility, and skill is amazing. With backs bent at a right angle, hands and arms outstretched, the speed with long gliding steps like a deer, they twist & turn, lift their bodies, gyrate by up and down and to right and left with such fighting rapidity [illegible] - faces meanwhile hung absolutely expressionless. Then there kicking bouts, something like wrestling matches but the feet are used instead of the hands.

They fence also with sharp drawn daggers. No one who has seen these games & training would think these men in a state of deterioration. They have borrowed the game of cock fighting and this had grown into a siren's voice the Dutch put a stop to it, but it is suspected that on the sly they still pit their birds, which are usually pigeons against each other.

...ocracy for many years to come. It is said that 420 tongues are spoken in India and that at least fifty are written languages. Altho' for many years English has practically been the official language and is taught in all the schools, yet there are twenty four other languages which are spoken by more people than is English! Nothing has demonstrated to my comprehension the immovability of this country like the fact that more than eight millions of people are still adherents of their primitive religion, worshipping stones, snakes, animals &c. The Hindoos I believe with the Jews, the antiquity of their respective faith and the [illegible] of Indians...

...are Hindoos. Then came the Buddhists, the Mohammedans and lastly the Christian missionaries yet the crude superstitious beliefs of these people have been untouched. India is composed of many states (I really do not know how many) each having its own history, tradition and customs and several of them enjoy autonomy under certain restrictions and are ruled by native kings. Some of the larger provinces have been granted legislative councils which enjoy counselor authority. Should the possible federation of all these states, with scarcely two of the same standing, be attempted the end is easily foreseen. One ruler has the right to be saluted by 21 gunshots, another 19, another 12 etc.