Being a history of the ancient Hindu society, the book presents a bird's eye-view of the achievements of the ancient Hindu and proposes to focus the attention of the thoughtful people to the leading features of the Hindu civilization which enabled the inhabitants of this country to contribute so much to the material and moral well-being of man-kind. The ancient Hindu in every feature of national life were in the first rank. Take what ever department of human activity, you find the ancient Hindus eminent in it occupying the foremost place. A nation may be great in arms or commerce. There may be people eminent in philosophy, poetry or science but not equally so morally and intellectually. No race was and is preeminent in so many departments of human activity as the ancient Hindu. The main object of these books is to enable men to appreciate the excellencies of Hindu civilization by giving them an idea of the character and achievements of ancient Hindu was were creatures of that civilization which had admittedly by seen its best days. The discussion of modern India is outside the purview of this book. Hindu civilization is the earliest in this world. Nations have risen and fallen, empires founded and destroyed, races have appeared and disappeared but the Hindu civilization that saw their rise and fall, their foundation and destruction, their appearance and disappearance, still remains. Some of the facets of human activity that have vitalized the Hindu civilization: Social System-Varnashrama (not the same as Caste system of present day) was based on scientific principles to ensure progress without party strife. Keynote of the system was national service. By birth all are Sudras, by actions men became Dwjia (Twice born). By reading Vedas became Vipra and becomes Brahmin by giving knowledge of god. Chivalry Innate chivalry of Hindu Character is symbolised by Ram, Arjun, Krishna, Karna, Bhima, Bali, Hanuman, who are ideal characters. Coming down to modern times, we, find Ashoka, Maharana Pratap and Prithviraj Chauhan of Ajmer. This has, however, handicapped Hindua against unscrupulous foes. Had it been tembered with political discretion India would be have suffered misrule. Patriotism Love of the Country. Who cold be a better symbol than Maharana Pratap and Thakur Durga Das who have been praised by Col. Todd.

Literature Vedas are the oldest books in the world from which sprout the fountains of knowledge. It is not the plan of this book to rundown any creed or nationality. Whenever any religion or race is mentioned it is only for elucidation of some point of Hinduism or to show the comparative excellence of some features of Hindu civilization. Whenever the oppressive nature of the rule of some of the Mohammedan Emperors is mentioned, it is not to emphasize that fact itself but to illustrate and elucidate some features of character of Hindus and their literature and society. It is the inherent truth of Hinduism that have enabled the Hinduism that have enabled the Hindus to preserve their existence despite all the political cataclysm, social upheavals and racial eruptions the world has seen. Any doubts about the superiority of ancient Hindu civilization, if so, please read the book and that will leave you convinced.

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A proper understanding of the social organisation of the Hindu civilization would be incomplete without an adequate study of the complementary organisation of the Ascetics (Sadhus), not only as an ideal model but as real organisations operating on the ground.

The present empirical study focuses on : Asceticism and Ascetics: origin and development; Vaishnavism: origin and growth; Ascetic life: from Diksha to Saketvas; Ayodhya- the city of Rama; Ascetic organisation of Vaishnavas at Ayodhya; Ascetic organisation and their patronage; Interaction between Sadhu and householders; and Ascetic organisation and force of change. Students and scholars in the field of Religion and philosophy and sociology will find this book most useful and informative.

Encyclopaedia INDICA is a monumental work by reputed authors which highlights all aspects of Indian History and Culture. This provides elaborate discussion of science, history, philosophy and religion, art and architecture, rural wonders and urban glories, social, economic and political history starting from Indus Valley Civilization to present time in a logical and chronological order. Volume 11-20 are devoted to Vedic Language and Literature, four Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Dharmasastras while volumes 21-35 contain authoritative information on Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Jainism, Buddhism and Puranas. Vols. 36-50 concentrate on different dynasties after the Greek Invasion on India viz. Mauryas, Guptas, Kushanas, Rajputs and Advent of Isam in India etc. Vols. 51-70 provide encyclopaedic information on Rajputs, Rise of Marathas and Mughal period till its downfall. Vol. 71-90 imparts valuable information on Goa, South India, and Major Dynasties of Ancient Orissa, Ancient Bihar, Ancient Gujarat and Ancient Punjab. Vols. 91-110 are devoted to indepth study of Ancient Ladakh, Ancient Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Ancient and Medieval Rajasthan, Kerala and Malabar. While Vols. 111-130 focus on indepth study of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Assam. Vols. 131-150 & 151-170 are on Meghalaya, Marathas, and Rise of British Power in India, Freedom Movement, Freedom Fighters, and Role of various Political Organisations, Indian Renaissance and Princely States in Colonial India.

This encyclopaedic work, covering all Indian States and Union Territories presents the contemporary India and its culture in the light of modern knowledge in its pristine vigour. Thus, it has become both a vertical and a horizontal study and is a unique contribution to the study of the Ancient, Medieval and Contemporary Modern India.