Eunuchs and pronouns.

[nonionay]

I found this while looking for images of cremation grounds.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040406/haryana.htm#5

Most interesting bit:
"... alleged that eunuch Jhanjhar and her two associates..."

I don't think I have any eunuchs in my story-world. I think that might have to change...

Comments

[bsdotrand.livejournal.com]

I read this yesterday and found myself plagued by this question. "Why is a eunuch slave more expensive than an un-cut slave?"

I assume that eunuchs are more expensive 'cause otherwise why go through the trouble to make you're kidnap victim into a eunuch. The traditional reason is that you can leave the eunuch around the women folk and not worry about her(?) boinking them (which I've heard is not true but at least they won't get pregnant), but that just doesn't seem reasonable. Particularly if they are your slaves in a non-slave owning society.

[criada.livejournal.com]

After I made this post, Keffy pointed out that in India, eunuchs are known as hijra (http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2022) and are their own special thing. That article shows them as pretty content with their lives, but plenty are forced into the lifestyle.

[magycmyste]

I've never heard the word hijra before. Then again, I haven't been to India in....15 years.

I think the most useful reason eunuchs would be more expensive is that there's no fear that they're going to rape the women they're guarding (harem guard).

Also, in the Mahabharata, when the Pandava princes are in exile, they're supposed to keep their identities hidden during the 13th year. They go to a king's court and take service there. Arjuna, the middle Pandava, disguises himself as a eunuch and becomes the princess's dance teacher.