GuptaRati 6666 wrote:Once I was told by a Sindhi merchant, a BK, that many Sindhi boys and girls do not pursue careers in medicine and surgery.
Correct, however, it is not fair to write "Sindhi" but rather the emphasis should be on the "merchant" part. When we write Sindhi with reference to the BKs on this site, it very largely only means the bhaibund merchant caste from which Lekhraj Kirpalani and they arose. Those who made their money off the backs of others as entrepreneurs and eshewed education -
including religious education - for profit making ... and have turned elements of other people's religions, into just that.
There were, of course, many very noble, educated and high minded Sindhis. And other castes.
When we discuss his and their "religousity", we should not confuse plain 'superstition' -
praying and making offerings to the gods in order to receive good fortune in business - with actual 'religion' and philosophy.
My conclusion relating to the "original jewel" BKs, is that their spiritual evolution rose from 'profit making from other people's skills and product', to 'profit making from other people's thoughts and ideas'. Same skill applied in a different arena ... but along the same old international and imperial trade routes.
<irony>Praise Lord Brahma for his creation of the British Empire!</irony>
Taking your example of veterinary science ... that would have placed you in the caste of animal herders or handlers as it was from among animal herders (and servants of the 4 legged military) from which veterinary science arose in India (
with a nod, of course, to the great Emperor Ashoka who - once converted to Buddhism - instituted great animal protection and established schools of animal medicine).
If I can dig out some links, I can develop this argument further. In short, it was the jatis who got their hands dirty who came up with the practical technological developments. There was an element of high science with priest castes, I don't deny that. But the former's contribution to Indian civilisation has been overlooked by ongoing prejudice.