INDIAN MUSIC. 175

the latter is said to have rewarded a famous minstrel with
,a fee of his weight in gold.

Another cause of the neglect of Indian music has
been its association with dancing girls and musicians of
low caste. This in many parts of India has led to an idea
that music, like dancing, was not a becoming occupation
for other persons, and there has resulted a neglect of its
study in the homes of respectable families. Amongst danc-
ing girls, however, and by the musicians associated with
them, both arts have been maintained in great perfection
A recent puritanical movement known as the i Anti-nautch'
movement, has had a reverse influence.

In modern times, more injury has been done to Indian
music by the stupidity of educationists, the snobbery of
anglicised Indians, and the mechanism of commercial civili-
sation, than could have been effected by many Auran«-zebs
As we have seen, music has been always the delight of
Hindu kings. *

At their courts were to be found the best musicians.
Whatever the luxury or corruption of some Indian courts
may at times have been, they were always centres of
-culture. The place of the royal craftsmen, pandits, astro-
nomers and musicians was assured; their maintenance
belonged to the ideal of kingly state. Culture was thus
State-endowed, and pursued its way undisturbed by politi-
•cal events. "When the Indian courts were done away with
and Indian rulers succeeded by, British< Governors, all this
intellectual and artistic life was undermined, f The English

* Yoga Narendra Malla of Palam (17th cent.) used on his
coins the title Sangitarnava-Paraga, " skilled in the sea of music "

t The last Nawab of Lueknow when deposed, brought manv
musicians and artists with him to Calcutta, where even now some
of their descendants remain. The Nawab himself composed & sons
which is still often heard ±~-Jab se chora Lakhnau Nagari, *Now
Tthey have robbed me of Lucknow town.'