In our daily life we experience presence of beggars all over public places who harass people and use all sorts of methods to get alms. The phenomenon of begging is not new. We find it though out history in all those societies where distribution of wealth was uneven and gap between rich and poor was enormous. Those who possessed resources were unwilling to part; and those who were poor and needy demanded their share from surplus in possession of rich people. So, in actuality, it was not begging but sharing. The demand emerged when there was famine, drought, unemployment, and such social and political crises that deprived people to earn their livelihood. Finding no other alternative they resorted to begging or asking for their share from those who had more.

Generally, historians do not regard the subject interesting to record the activities of beggars in different periods and how it reflected the attitude of society towards the problem of poverty. However, finding some information, an attempt is made to construct the changing attitude of beggary in history. During the medieval period in the west as well east, beggars were regarded as holy men and respected by society. To feed or to provide financial subsistence to them was an act of piety that was highly appreciated in society. The concept was that almsgiver would get rewards hereafter of his munificence. . Beggars, knowing these religious sensibilities of people invoked religion for getting alms and charity. Their practice was to go door to door and beg. Housewives who provided them food welcomed them and requested to pray for their well-being. On the occasions of festivals and ceremonies people were generous to give them alms in a spirit to share with them in festivities.

In India, to give alms to beggar is centuries old tradition. Nobles and rich traders, to earn a good name and reputation, helped poor and arranged langar (feast for all) on different occasions. Kings and emperors also made it a point to give alms whenever go out. About Akbar, Abul Fazl writes in A’in I Akbari:”There is a treasure always waiting at the court; and every beggar when his Majesty sees him, is sure to find relief.”

As beggars had no property and belongings and have no worldly ambitions, he acquired respect as a man who was close to God; and it was beloved that his prayers as well as curses were granted. He was respectfully called as Fakir (who possessed one day’s sufficiency for self and family), baba (father or respectable old man) and sain (Mister or sir) as he was free from all worldly problems and enjoyed his life; many envied him. On this aspect, Richard Brome, an English poet writes:

The only freemen of a common-wealth;

Free about scot-free; that observe no law,

Obey no governor, use no religion,

But what they draw from their old custom

Or constitutes themselves. yet are no rebel.

Besides this, Beggars adopted different methods to appeal sentiments of people. Some of them played music and sang song; and some of them attract people by disfiguring their bodies. There is an interesting poem written by Robert Crowley in 1550 which can be applied even today in our surroundings:

I heard two beggars that under an hedge sate,

Who did with long talk their matters debate.

They had both sore legs most loathsome to see,

All raw from the foot well most to the knee,

‘My leg,’quoth the one, ‘I thank God is fair’.

‘So is mine’, quoth the other, ‘in a cold air,

For then it looketh raw and as red as any blood,

I would not have it healed for any world’good.

No man would pity me but my sore leg,

Wherefore if I were whole I might in vain beg.

Besides ordinary beggars there were some religious sects who adopted begging as their livelihood such as Franciscans and Dominicans in Christianity .In order to be independent from state and church and relied on society for their sustenance they resorted begging. In the Buddhist traditions, the Bhikshus go door to door and beg. Even, the king of Thailand once a year dons a Bhikshu dress and begs. There are two reasons for it: one, to shun off any sense of arrogance and inculcate humility. Secondly, having no property and lust for life, they devote their time in praying and meditation, which earns respect of society. Hence, they become spiritual guides to people. It also gives them freedom from state institutions that cannot exploit them for their political interests.

In Europe the attitude of society towards begging changed in the seventeenth century as a result of growing influence of secularism and weakening of religion which shattered beliefs on salvation and life after death. This changed the whole image of beggars. If some body found begging his head was shaved and sometime he was beaten as a punishment. Some of the European cities expelled them from their boundaries. Some passed acts against begging; and some issued licenses to deserving only for begging. In the Industrial age when work became compulsory for every able-bodied person, beggars became burden on society. Either they were imprisoned or confide in workhouses. The whole concept of charity had undergone a change and to give alms to a beggar meant to corrupt him. The concept was that instead of helping poor better was to provide him job. Charity became secular and no longer remained religious.

In our society, religion dominated begging. A beggar invokes religion to get alms and uses all such phrases that appeal religious sentiments of people. In this way he exploits religion like our ruling classes: He for charity and rulers for power.