Brahmans as a rule should not eat meat nor drink intoxicating
liquor. But it is said that the following indulgences have been
recognised: for residents in eastern India the eating of flesh and
drinking liquor; for those of northern India the eating of flesh; for
those in the west the use of water out of leather buckets; and in the
south marriage with a first cousin on the mother's side. Hindustani
Brahmans eat meat, according to Mr. Joshi, and others are now also
adopting this custom. The kinds of meat permitted are mutton and
venison, scaly, but not scaleless, fish, hares, and even the tortoise,
wild boar, wild buffalo and rhinoceros. Brahmans are said even to
eat domestic fowls, though not openly, and wild jungle fowls are
preferred, but are seldom obtainable. Maratha Brahmans will not eat
meat openly. Formerly only the flesh of animals offered in sacrifice
could be eaten, but this rule is being disregarded and some Brahmans
buy mutton from the butchers. A Brahman should not eat even _pakki
rasoi_ or food cooked without water, such as sweetmeats and cakes fried
in butter or oil, except when cooked by his own family and in his own
home. But these are now partaken of abroad, and also purchased from
the Halwai or confectioner on the assumption that he is a Brahman. A
Brahman should take food cooked with water only from his own relations
and in his own home after the place has been purified and spread
with cowdung. He bathes before eating, and wears only a yellow silk
or woollen cloth round his waist, which is kept specially for this
purpose, cotton being regarded as impure. But these rules are tending
to become obsolete, as educated Brahmans recognise more and more what
a hindrance they cause to any social enjoyment. Boys especially who
receive an English education in high schools and universities are
rapidly becoming more liberal. They will drink soda-water or lemonade
of which they are very fond, and eat European sweets and sometimes
biscuits. The social intercourse of boys of all castes and religions
in school and games, and in the latter the frequent association with
Europeans, are having a remarkable effect in breaking down caste
prejudice, the results of which should become very apparent in a few
years. A Brahman also should not smoke, but many now do so, and when
they go to see a friend will take their own huqqa with them as they
cannot smoke out of his. Maratha and Khedawal Brahmans, however,
as a rule do not smoke, but only chew tobacco.