SHAVE YOUR HEAD TO SIGNIFY SURRENDER

                                                                            

Stone Cutting shop at Athawajan kashmir

Photo autar Mota

To this photograph i add  a brief write up on 

" SHAVE YOUR HEAD TO SIGNIFY SURRENDER "

I have come across instances in ancient history wherein shaving of Head by soldiers was construed as surrender. The early Romans ensured that their slaves shaved their heads .The practice was also prevalent with ancient Egyptians . It was prevalent with Greeks and Turks as well. Even Ottoman soldiers also carried down this practice during their conquests .

Head shaving is also prescribed as a symbol of humility and total surrender during pilgrimages . 

It was considered a mild punishment for the enemy in most of the ancient and middle age societies . kashmirian kings also practiced it . King Lalitaditya of kashmir had many soldiers in his army who were from Turkey and Tukhara ( An area in Central Asia proximal to Balkh and Badakshan ) and who were possibly responsible for bringing this practice to kashmir . I quote kalhana

“ As an admission of defeat , the ruling princes were compelled to adopt various emblems showing humility by the stern man which they carry to the present day ”

( Canto 177 Taranga IV kalhana’s Rajatarangini )

“To denote the sign of Bondage , it is manifestly by his order that , the turks carry their hands at the back and shave half the head. ”

( Canto 178 Taranga IV kalhana’s Rajatarangini )

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