Some clips from Mitchell’s geography textbook, A System of Modern Geography, which @MichaelJAltman notes had the widest circulation of any textbook before 1900 #HindooHistory
The first page of the textbook, a colorized depiction of different cultures indicating which “stage of civilization” each inhabits. The Hindoos were considered “half-civilized”
Q: who are the pagans or heathens?
A: those who believe in false Gods, and worship idols, beasts, birds, serpents, etc.
“They [the Hindoos] are an indolent and spiritless race, excessively superstitious; and are described as being nearly destitute of moral honesty”
“They are divided into four castes, or classes... these castes are forbidden to intermarry, or even eat or drink together...”
“The religion of the Hindoos is a degrading system of paganism”
“Though nearly the whole of this vast multitude is involved in heathen darkness, yet the exertions of Christian missionaries... will no sought in time enlighten the nations, and lead to the spiritual redemption of this great continent”
“The European or Caucasian is the most noble of the five races of men. It excels all others in learning and arts, and included the most powerful nations of ancient and modern times”
“How are half-civilized nations distinguished?”
“They have also established laws and religion, some little foreign commerce, but are very jealous of of strangers, and treat their women generally as slaves”
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