Hindooism and Islamism

1895

That the 280,000,000 inhabitants of the continent of India should ever become one nation is so wild an improbability, and, even if possible, a matter of so many centuries, that its assumed realization cannot be made the basis of practical politics, for Hindooism and Islam show no signs of decay, and the antagonism between their followers is on the increase.

In the traditions of history, one of the most powerful elements of national sentiment, the pride of the one is the shame of the other. The Mussulman glories in Aurangzeb. The followers of Gobind Singh and Sevajee detest his memory. Intermarriage is impossible and is a sin oven among the myriad castes of Hindoos. There is no historical example of such a miracle as the amalgamation into one nation of such a multitude of diverse elements, and if it is to be effected the first steps have yet to be taken. — National Review.