 :::::Ah, got you now. Tense is all-important, eg: they were warriors, were high status etc. The significance of Thurston is that he was a British Raj government official compiling a report for the then government and, I think, this became a standard textbook for those taking examinations for work in the Indian Civil Service. The book (7 volumes) was printed by the government, so taken all round it has quite an official seal of approval. I think the real issue in the attitudes you describe is not Thurston but a level of allegiance to the caste which is beyond the comprehension of people not born into them - it's like been an absolutely fanatical supporter of a sports team, with all the fault that come with such support (including always wanting to denigrate the opposition). I do mention other sources, though, and will be introducing more which were printed much later than 1909 - but they'll say pretty much the same thing as the guy was not far off the mark. -   