Hinduism and its complicated history with cows

July 19, 2017 14:00

Most people seem to assume that no Hindu has ever consumed beef. But is this true?

As a scholar, studying Sanskrit and ancient Indian religion for over 50 years, I know of many texts that offer a clear answer to this question.Scholars have known for centuries that the ancient Indians ate beef. After the fourth century BC, when the practice of vegetarianism spread throughout India among Buddhists, Jains and Hindus, many Hindus continued to eat beef.

Scholar, author, Indologist Wendy Doniger beefs up the debate. Read her column here

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