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

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Diaries of Carrie Chapman Catt, a noted leader in the woman suffrage movement, written during a trip around the world.

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p. 26
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p. 26

25

...ignorant concerning everything I wanted to know. The trip to the native town was as usual amusing. We stopped at a shop opening into an arcade. The floor was raised the height of a chair from the ground. We sat on chairs outside the shop in the arcade as it were. The shopkeeper barefooted sat crosslegged on the same level with us. His small bay brought pieces of silk and he showed them, spreading them on the floor which was as clean as any counter. In the afternoon we went first to get permits for the Hindoo burning ghat and the Parsee Towers of Silence. The latter was in the charities building of the Parsees. There were classes of girls being taught gymnastics, and a crowd of women were waiting to get their monthly stipends. It all seemed to be...

Last edit about 3 years ago by lutholtz
p. 27
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p. 27

[photograph]

Last edit about 3 years ago by lutholtz
p. 28
Complete

p. 28

26

...well organized. I found my visit after the permit rather interesting, so told the Dr. she could go after the Hindoo one, but nothing was entertaining there. At the ghat, we entered a narrow and gloomy passage through shady trees and upon arriving at the end we faced a narrow long yard. A row of iron stakes down the center indicated the places for fire. Fortunately a funeral arrived. The body was fastened to a pole and completely covered with white cambic. Our man at each end carried the body and was followed by a group of men all in white. They chanted something as they walked - probably an appeal for the good of the soul of the dead. The group of men seated...

Last edit about 3 years ago by lutholtz
p. 29
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p. 29

27

...themselves on benches opposite one burning place. A servant swept away the ashes and remains of the last fire and a new fire was laid, two long pieces of wood forming the frame of it. We did not wait to see the incineration. The body is laid between the long pieces of wood and it is all consumed in two hours. If a hand or foot or bone doesn't get burned, it is wrapped in cloth and is thrown into a holy place such as the Ganges. The ashes left are merely swept away. The mourners stay till the end and women never come. Rich people burn their dead with sandalwood which is expensive, otherwise all are treated alike. All Hindoos cremate in this way, but altho both [illegible] believe in creation...

Last edit about 3 years ago by lutholtz
p. 30
Complete

p. 30

28

...this place left a bad impression as it was so gloomy in appearance. Then we went to the Towers of Silence. We mounted some well kept steps and at the top were met by an intelligent attendant who showed us about. It is a beautiful bright garden full of sunshine, well kept paths and brilliant flowers. Scattered about are five tombs. These are merely white walls surrounding a circular interior arrangement. One is for suicides and hospital dead who have been handled by others than their own caste. The inside of these tombs is never open to the public and the mourners do not enter. A model is shown however. The funeral comes with the body in same condition as at the hindoo place.

Last edit about 3 years ago by lutholtz
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