Question

Why untouchables used to enter a village with stick?

• A. So that they could hit anyone who called them untouchable.
• B. So that they could help villagers with their stick.
• C. So that they could hit the stick to create sound and everyone could be alerted of their arrival.
• D. So that they could hit themselves by the stick if they did something wrong in that village.

Answer 1

The correct option is C So that they could hit the stick to create sound and everyone could be alerted of their arrival.

The Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian noticed the plight of those who were treated as untouchables by the high and mighty. They were expected to live on the outskirts of the city. He writes: “If such a man enters a town or a market place, he strikes a piece of wood, in order to keep himself separate; people, hearing this sound, know what it means and avoid touching him or brushing against him.”